Laser-battling Star Wars drones go on sale for the holidays

Last year, the BB-8 droid from "Star Wars: The Force Awakens" became a holiday hit thanks to a replica that could be controlled through a smartphone. Disney has taken note. This year, the company hopes to strike gold again with Star Wars-themed drones selling for $230 each.

A company called Propel is making drones in the style of an X-Wing, Millennium Falcon, TIE fighter and Speeder Bike. The drones are up for pre-order online through Brookstone, which also sold the BB-8 robot, and Propel is looking to sell through other retailers as well.

While UAVs have not become so mainstream that every home has one, makers are starting to find specific niches to cater to a wide range of consumers who might not otherwise have any interest in such a product. One company released recently a drone that fits into the back of a smartphone case and takes selfies. Others are focusing on home security. The Star Wars drones are relying on licensing of cultural icons, a tried-and-true method of boosting sales that was famously utilized by LEGO when its sales started lagging. Exclusive licensing helps keep competition out while avid fans rush out to buy replicas of their favorite childhood memories.

Propel is really playing up the Star Wars aspects of the drones as well. The company said the drones can engage in a “laser battle” with up to 24 pilots at once. The drones can also fly at up to 35mph and go from 0 to 30mph in three seconds.

Propel is not the first company to be releasing Star Wars drones, though. Quadcopter Millennium Falcons have shown up online before. However, based on the pricing and aesthetics, it looks like Propel's products will be of higher quality. A Millennium Falcon drone from Air Hogs has the four props clearly visible through the body of the drone. The Propel product, on the other hand, has the props on the bottom of the four legs, allowing the body of the aircraft to be more detailed in its recreation. This is probably just how Disney likes it. It is that attention to detail that really brings the fans out.