Back in February, we compiled a list of things that we reckon should be banned from all Aussie music festivals. We decided to go for tangible things that one could actually police and not just Room 101-style pet hates.

If we hadn’t, you can rest assured we would’ve included losing your friends. When you’re in a noisy sea of thousands upon thousands of people, many of whom are similarly dressed, losing your mates is pretty much par for the course.

To make it even worse, with so many people all using their mobile phones for various reasons (mainly selfies and Instagram), you can often find yourself without proper service, so texting and calling your friends is no longer an option.

Even if it was, we all know what it’s like trying to direct someone around a festival site and it involves hair being pulled out of your head. Well, the folks at Pepsi (as in the drink) may have found a very hi-tech solution.

They’re calling it a blimp, but we reckon it’s more of a drone, though we understand why they might want to avoid the nasty connotations the latter term has associated with it. As Gizmodo reports, Pepsi’s “blimp” is the friend locator you’ve been dreaming of.

The blimp is the brainchild of UK ad agency AMV BBDO and was first deployed at London’s New Look Wireless Festival. Attendees could download a free smartphone app and use it to request some help in tracking down their friends amongst the maddening crowds.

Using a pixelated display that covers the surface of the spherical blimp slash drone, the UAV provides visual cues as to which direction you need to head in order to find who you’re looking for, or you can simply follow it as it floats above the crowd.

Yes, it’s definitely a publicity stunt, we’re not questioning that, but it’s also a pretty good idea and one festivals should maybe look into investing in. Just think, how many times have you been wandering around a festival, desperately searching for your friends, wishing you had some aerial assistance?

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