Adventures in drone evolution, as explored through an unconventional ‘volumetric’ format. Developed collaboratively with the Cambridge Centre for Drones and Culture (CDAC) over the course of 2024-25, this interactive ‘untimeline’ depicts the intersecting histories, technologies, activities, and contexts affecting the contemporary shape of drone systems.
The initial release of the project is available at this link here, with more information from the CDAC page available at this link here.
This project was first exhibited at CRASSH at the University of Cambridge, as part of the Cambridge Festival 2025. Details concerning this event are available at this link here.
Concept
The project was instantiated by CDAC in response to the question of timelines focused on emerging technologies: what do timelines as data visualisations do? how do they tell stories about new technologies? does the form of a timeline embed certain values or assumptions about technological developments and their desirability? Can we make a timeline that embraces friction or that reflects on its own form?
As an interactive ‘untimeline’, Dronotope does not necessarily set out to narrate a story about linear progress or teleology, but to unspool the idea of a timeline in the first place, in the vein of a speculative design.
Credits
- Project lead Dr Beryl Pong (Cambridge/CDAC).
- Application design and coding by Dr Richard A Carter
- Publication editing by Dr Amy Gaeta
Research and Writing
- Regulatory – Dr Beryl Pong
- Commercial – Dr Amy Gaeta
- Technical – Prof. Marjory da Costa-Abreu
- Conflict & Security – Dr Joanna Tidy
- Humanitarian & Conservation – Dr Richard A Carter