UK STEM Spotlight | UK DRONE SOCCER × Oriental Navigation: 15ft×9ft×7ft Custom Matte Inflatable Arena Featured on BBC, Leading a “Matte Revolution” in Drone Education
In the rapidly growing field of STEM drone education in the UK, the professional quality and adaptability of teaching equipment often define the overall learning experience.
This is precisely why UK DRONE SOCCER, one of the country’s leading drone education organisations, partnered with Oriental Navigation to develop a 15ft×9ft×7ft custom matte inflatable arena.
The result is more than just a new training venue — it’s a redefinition of what a “professional, portable STEM arena” should look like in the UK.
The arena even made its BBC debut, showcasing a new benchmark for educational drone environments.
From Pain Points to Custom Solutions: Why UK DRONE SOCCER Chose Oriental Navigation
As a pioneering STEM drone institution, UK DRONE SOCCER had long faced two core challenges:
1. Limited Indoor Space
Many schools and community centres in the UK, particularly in London, have narrow classrooms (often less than 10ft wide).
Traditional 6m×3m (approx. 20ft×10ft) inflatable arenas could not fit entirely within such venues, forcing instructors to reduce the play area.
2. Reflective Glare from Standard PVC Materials
Most inflatable arenas on the market use glossy PVC, which causes glare under indoor lighting or direct sunlight.
This not only affects students’ ability to track drones accurately but also disrupts filming during lessons or media coverage.
“We needed an arena that perfectly matched smaller indoor spaces and eliminated reflection issues,”
said the UK DRONE SOCCER programme lead during the BBC interview.
“After comparing three suppliers, only Oriental Navigation could meet both requirements — custom sizing and matte PVC. That’s why we chose them.”
To meet these demands, Oriental Navigation delivered a 15ft×9ft×7ft (approx. 4.6m×2.7m×2.1m) matte PVC inflatable arena.
Its width was reduced by 1ft and height lowered by 3ft to suit UK classrooms — while the matte surface solved the long-standing problem of light reflection.
The Matte PVC Advantage: Redefining the Visual and Practical Standards of UK STEM Arenas
1. No Glare, Enhanced Teaching and Filming Experience
The matte texture ensures zero glare even under six LED ceiling lights.
Students can follow drone movements clearly without visual distraction, while teachers and film crews benefit from smoother, glare-free footage.
“The BBC crew initially worried about reflection issues,” shared the UK DRONE SOCCER representative.
“But once they saw the matte surface, they said, ‘This is the perfect backdrop!’”
Whether in everyday lessons or during BBC filming, the matte surface guarantees clarity, focus, and a premium visual experience.
2. Stain-Resistant and Durable for High-Frequency Use
UK STEM institutions often struggle with arenas getting dirty or damaged quickly.
Oriental Navigation addressed this by reinforcing the matte PVC with a micro-textured surface and an inner nylon mesh layer (1mm thick).
Benefits include:
- Anti-stain coating: Footprints and dust wipe off easily with a damp cloth.
- High durability: After continuous testing (3 hours/day, 5 days/week), the arena showed no scratches or cracks.
- 30% longer lifespan compared to glossy PVC models.
“We used to spend two hours each week deep-cleaning the glossy arena. Now, five minutes after class is enough,”
said a UK DRONE SOCCER operations staff member.
3. Strong Brand Visibility with Distinct Design
The matte surface enhances colour depth and brand clarity.
Oriental Navigation designed a black-and-football-patterned logo for UK DRONE SOCCER, paired with a custom floor colour and white goal lines, achieving high visual contrast and professional presentation.
This low-reflection surface ensures consistent colour accuracy under all lighting conditions, reinforcing both aesthetic and functional appeal.
During the BBC interview, the arena’s design stood out prominently on camera —
students appeared natural, the logo was sharp and readable, and the entire setting acted as a visual brand signature.
Many viewers later contacted UK DRONE SOCCER to learn where the arena came from.
15ft×9ft×7ft: Custom Dimensions Tailored for British Indoor Spaces
Oriental Navigation fine-tuned every dimension to suit UK classrooms and community halls:
- Width: 15ft (4.6m) — fits within most classrooms without needing to move furniture.
- Length: 9ft (2.7m) — ideal for small team sessions (2–3 students per group).
- Height: 7ft (2.1m) — perfect for indoor ceilings, supporting up to 1.8m drone flight height without touching the roof.
“With our previous setup, we had to clear half the room each time. Now it fits perfectly in a corner and saves setup time.”
— UK DRONE SOCCER Instructor
BBC Feature: From Institutional Use to National Recognition
When BBC filmed the programme, students were captured performing drone obstacle and precision missions within the matte arena.
The broadcast footage showed crisp drone paths and zero reflection, perfectly demonstrating the arena’s educational value.
“Oriental Navigation exceeded expectations,”
said the UK DRONE SOCCER programme manager in the interview.
“They not only solved our technical challenges but also provided installation training and reliable after-sales support — a complete solution.”
Following the BBC broadcast, five additional UK STEM organisations — including youth drone clubs in Manchester and Birmingham Science Museum — contacted Oriental Navigation for similar matte PVC arenas.
Oriental Navigation: Specialist in Customised STEM Arena Solutions
The UK DRONE SOCCER case highlights Oriental Navigation’s customer-driven design philosophy.
For UK clients, the company offers three major advantages:
- Full Customisation: Tailored size, colour, material (matte or glossy), and logo printing.
- UK Standards Compliance: CE-certified materials, low-toxicity matte PVC suitable for young learners.
- Localised Support: English manuals, setup videos, 5–7 day delivery across the UK, and 24-hour response for after-sales service.
Get Your Custom Matte Inflatable Arena
If you’re a UK-based STEM school, drone club, or community education centre, and face challenges such as limited indoor space or reflection issues, Oriental Navigation’s 15ft×9ft×7ft matte PVC inflatable arena is your ideal solution.
You can request:
- 3D design renderings based on your venue’s dimensions;
- BBC interview footage for real-world reference;
- Free setup training and 1-year warranty for peace of mind.
Conclusion: Matte Innovation Elevates UK STEM Education
The UK DRONE SOCCER collaboration proves that a great STEM arena must be more than functional — it must be adaptable, camera-friendly, and brand-consistent.
By combining practicality with visual excellence, Oriental Navigation’s matte PVC inflatable arena has become a new benchmark in the UK STEM community.
“The right equipment can multiply the impact of STEM education.”
— Quoted from the UK DRONE SOCCER BBC interview
