Christopher Hills has a long-held ambition.
“I would love to be part of producing a full-length feature film one day,” he says in a video on his YouTube channel.
Christopher, 30, was born with quadriplegic cerebral palsy.
He can’t walk or use his hands. And, he has significant speech difficulties.
But he’s now another step closer to achieving his goal.
The University of the Sunshine Coast design program student has invented a mobile app that allows people living with disability to fly drones, using head movements and switch-based controls.
“I have been able to use Apple devices, the Xbox Adaptive Controller and DJI drones to design an app that allows me to pilot a drone using only head movements.
“The next drone shot that you see in a film might be a shot by me,” says Christopher, who uses a computerised voice assistant to help him communicate.
For the past six years, Christopher has collaborated with a software developer to create the app. He operates it through switches mounted on the headrest of his wheelchair giving him control of the drone’s flight path.
He’s now field testing the technology and has captured stunning aerial footage of the Sunshine Coast’s coastline and hinterland.
Already an accomplished video editor, Christopher began studying design at UniSC in 2023 after earlier earning cinematography and film production qualifications at RMIT.
“I studied Design Methods as part of my degree. At the time, I was a little bit overwhelmed with the complexity of head control for a drone.
“But that course taught me how to frame and iterate and gave me the structure I needed to get where I’m at today,” he says.
Creating the app furthers his vision to make film making more accessible through inclusive design.
UniSC Senior Lecturer in Design Dr Leah Barclay says Christopher’s innovation has the potential to transform how people living with disability or limited mobility can engage with drone technology.
“I was so impressed when Christopher brought his idea to fruition, and I really feel like it will have such a positive impact on many people,” Dr Barclay says.
“It opens up access for creativity, with drone cinematography becoming more accessible.
“It also expands inclusion across other industries that use drones, from wildlife monitoring to farming and agriculture.
“We are already talking about how this app will be integrated into research projects at UniSC, including flying drones with older adults in the Ageing Well Creative Lab.”
Christopher’s passion for storytelling began in childhood and was encouraged by his parents who helped him make video shorts.
Unable to physically hold a video camera, he turned to drone technology and smart phone accessibility features so he could shoot and edit videos on his own.
His sharp mind and wicked sense of humour were on display in his first solo effort Everyone has the Right to Fly which documented his quest to become a certified drone pilot.
He is now working towards securing approval from the Civil Aviation Safety Authority for his app.
“I have a future as a photographer and cinematographer because of this technology. Everyone should be able to express their creativity like this.
“I’ve designed this app myself for my needs, as someone with quadriplegic cerebral palsy. However, with a few design changes, the app will be useful for people with a wide range of needs.”
Dr Barclay says Christopher’s success reflects UniSC’s commitment to shaping learning experiences around students’ passions and needs.
“In the Design program, we encourage students to think big and follow their passions and dreams.
“Many of our assessments have the flexibility and agility for students to really build a portfolio of creative work aligned with what inspires them.
“Inclusive design has been a core focus of our program for many years now, and we want to ensure our learning environments are accessible and inspiring for everyone.”
Christopher, who loves helping others living with a disability access technology, is now offering drone flight training using his app, and inviting people to join the beta program as he strives to push the technology to its limits.
“Everyone has the right to access. Everyone has the right create. Everyone has the right to fly,” he says.
