Airstage Launches AirOrbs to Create Helium-Filled, Computer Controlled Choreography

	Airstage AirOrb

Gliding gently through the air, performing a ballet in the sky, Airstage AirOrbs are something that jaded audiences who think they have seen everything definitely have not. "Our AirOrbs are a magical addition to any production, and their aerial choreography has delighted and amazed audiences in all sorts of settings, from arenas to corporate shows," says John R. Barker, head of sales at Airstage.

AirOrbs are radio-controlled, helium-based, and completely safe to use above any indoor audience, thanks to their ultralight weight and patented soft propeller. The AirOrbs, in combination with the AirEyes motion capture optical tracking system, and AirNet computer controlled autonomous flight system combine to create a unique, state-of-the-art effect. The AirOrbs can be piloted manually, or they can be pre-programmed to create genuinely memorable aerial choreography.

The shape of the AirOrbs can be customized in a variety of ways: branding messages can be imprinted on the orbs, lightweight pieces can be added inside of a transparent AirOrb, and depending on the aerodynamic details, then can be shaped into a variety of forms and styles. "We have already constructed and flown various branded AirOrbs, translucent AirOrbs with silver star inlays, oriental styled lanterns with bases and interior lighting, fully programmed RGB LED lighting spheres, heart shaped AirOrbs with interior lighting, lightweight 3D company logos and product models inside the AirOrbs, shining chrome effect AirOrbs and many others," says Barker.

While other forms of airborne objects often require safety netting below, that's not the case for the Airstage AirOrbs. Bill Welter, executive producer and creative director at Clarity Creative Group, used three individually piloted AirOrbs for the 2015 Intel Developers Forum. He states, "One of the things that I really liked the AirOrbs was the fact that they could fly over the audience without any safety issues, which was amazing."

Airstage also works with designers and producers to create unique events that are tailored for their event and their brand. "Working with the AirOrbs and with Airstage was a very good and creative collaboration. They were asked to do things that they had never done before; they didn't know if it was going to be possible, but they were courageous enough to try and it turned out perfectly," says Alex Burgos, associate creative director/choreographer at ABC Event Production, who used ten programmed AirOrbs in a recent corporate event.

AirOrbs give designers endless opportunities to make an impression on indoor audiences in theme parks, theaters, convention centers, and corporate shows. "The creative potential and uses are almost endless. We can create product-branded AirOrbs in the shape of almost anything aerodynamic including every kind of sports ball, hot-air balloons with baskets suspended underneath, UFO's, jellyfish, interior lit Halloween pumpkins, Easter eggs, theme park character heads, as well as interior 3D designs such as company logos and products, star inlays with swirling glitter and, in the not too distant future, we hope to include video mapping on the Orbs," says Barker.

The AirOrbs can be seen in the US in the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular and in South Korea, performing daily at Lotte World in Seoul.