"Skyward Bound: The Global Drone Industry's Journey to the Future"
Drones, also known as Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) or Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), have made significant strides in a relatively short period. Initially developed for military purposes, they quickly found their way into the civilian and commercial sectors, due to advancements in technology that made them more affordable, accessible, and capable. Drones or UAVs were primarily associated with military and defense since the Second World War. They are used for anti-aircraft target practice, aerial surveillance, weaponry, intelligence gathering, artillery spotting, and, more controversially, as weapons platforms. For instance, it was used to train anti-aircraft gunners as well as fly attack flights. Throughout the war, Nazi Germany created and operated a variety of UAV aircraft, including the Argus 292 and the V-1 flying bomb with a jet engine. Drones are a valuable addition to any industrial facility’s efforts, enabling limitless aerial perspective. The possibilities for drones to create real value are endless. Drones open up new opportunities and generate efficiencies in various industries such as defense, mining, sea ports, oil & gas, and other large industrial facilities. They have emerged as incredibly powerful, versatile industrial tools capable of completing a wide range of applications. Industry professionals are increasingly using drones to improve and optimize industrial processes as well as enhance operational efficiencies. Drones can be used during various phases of the facility’s lifecycle in manufacturing plants. The nearly limitless visibility, data gathering and analyzing capabilities make automated drones valuable for various industry sectors. For instance, in solar energy production the output of solar panels decreases at a rate of 0.5% to 3% each year. Timely detection of such defects is important to fix anomalies to avoid severe drops in energy production. However, the conventional inspection method of walking through the solar farm with handheld cameras is not efficient enough and is highly time consuming. A drones equipped with a thermal camera can inspect a solar farm with higher speed and accuracy. The data gathered can be analyzed to detect faults and streamline workflows in significantly less time. Aerial inspection by drone with thermal cameras capture in-depth infrared signatures and hot spots of defective panels which helps to detect anomalies and proactively address them to minimize maintenance cost and downtime. Drones inspections provide the capability to maximize output of solar farms in relatively less time and lower costs. Drones with thermal camera provide accurate heat maps that enable customers to proactively address anomalies and maximize output. These drones typically reduce the time and cost required for inspection by up to 60%. According to the research report, ""Global Drone Market Outlook, 2028"" published by Bonafide Research, the market is anticipated to cross USD 185 Billion by 2028, increasing from USD 45.63 Billion in 2022. The market is expected to grow with 28.05% CAGR by 2023-28. The market for drones is expected to continue to grow in the coming years, with new applications and use cases emerging. The purpose of the drone market is to provide various types of drones to customers across different industries for a wide range of applications, including aerial photography and videography, mapping, surveying, search and rescue, and monitoring and inspection of infrastructure. The primary driving factors behind the growth of the drone market is the increasing demand for drones in the commercial and industrial sectors. Drones offer significant advantages in terms of speed, cost- Global Drone Market Outlook, 2028. Effectiveness, and safety compared to traditional methods of data collection and inspection. Additionally, advancements in drone technology, including improved sensors and longer flight times, are driving the growth of the market. Different industries are investing in commercial drone technology and paying close attention to expanding their awareness of commercial applications, which is expected to boost the business outlook. Numerous firms are investing in new start-ups through well-funded strategic techniques to address the need for commercial drone portfolios such as surveying, air taxis, logistics, surveillance, monitoring, and mapping. In addition to that, technological development in electronics and integrations of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into drones using modern computing, microcontrollers, processors, and mobile hardware is driving the industry to new heights. They enable high-speed data capture, processing, and transfer for their consumers, allowing them to make real-time, data-driven decisions. Artificial intelligence helps drones to work efficiently by managing and storing massive volumes of data with cloud technologies. Skydio, Inc., a drone manufacturer, presented the Skydio X2 AI-enabled drone to meet the demand of the most sophisticated fleets in the drone market. Increasing adoption of drones in several applications, including internet provision in remote locations, aerial videography & photography, survey and diarizing flora & fauna, and public services missions is expected to grow the demand for the drone market. Moreover, sectors with high rates of crime and labor expenses are also more likely to see the development of traditional use cases like monitoring, surveillance, and security. Also, drones are gaining popularity in the construction business due to their effective and time-saving qualities when scanning construction sites for layout operations. During an emergency reaction, several industrial businesses and firms use drones equipped with thermal imaging cameras to make touch with and detect causalities that are not visible to the naked eye.
Based on the regions, Asia-Pacific region is expected to lead the overall global drone market by the end of the forecast period with rapid CAGR of 35.07% by 2023-28. The increase is attributed to the government and OEMs' large investments in drone technology. The countries in Asia Pacific, such as Japan and China, have presence of large drone manufacturers such as TerraDrone and DJI. The rest of the world has witnessed depleting growth amid the pandemic due to disruption in supply chains. However, increase in the adoption of drones for several commercial Global Drone Market Outlook, 2028 Applications such as photography, pipeline and oil tank inspection, and 3D mapping is anticipated to create lucrative growth opportunities in the coming years. China is the main revenue contributor to the market in the region. The country is witnessing the swiftly growing adoption of drones in the agriculture, construction, defense, and mining industries. Several farmers in China utilize drones for spraying pesticides on their farms. The availability of drones at a considerably lower cost, the lack of availability of labor, and the increase in technological adoption across the agriculture sector are fueling the demand for drones in the agriculture sector in China. Moreover, several other sectors, especially the photography, event organization, construction, mining, surveying, and industrial sectors, are likely to propel the demand for drones in the country soon. Owing to these factors, the market in China is expected to grow during the forecast period. Additionally, Japan, India, and South Korea are witnessing the rapid adoption of drones. In June 2019, the Government of Japan adopted a draft bill to create advanced cities called Super-city. The government is aiming at deploying product deliveries by drones, autonomous driving, novel services, and cashless payment services in these cities using sophisticated technologies, such as AI and big data. Furthermore, India has a large consumer base with high technology adoption potential. Therefore, several technology companies and service providers are focusing on deploying drone-based services across the country, which is likely to generate attractive growth opportunities for manufacturers and, subsequently, for drone flight management system suppliers. Commercial drone product type is dominating the global drone market in 2022 with highest revenue generation. Commercial drones are used in a variety of industries for applications such as aerial photography and videography, surveying and mapping, monitoring and inspection of infrastructure, delivery services, and agriculture. Commercial drones are typically smaller and less expensive than military drones and are designed for civilian use. They are also subject to different regulations compared to military drones. The commercial drone market growth is further driven by technological advances in electronics, such as modern computing, microcontrollers, processors, mobile hardware, and cameras. For instance, in September 2022, AeroVironment Inc. launched Vapor 55MX, a next generation VAPOR Helicopter that caters to customers from the defense, commercial, and industrial sectors. Advances in drone technology have made commercial drones more affordable than ever before. This affordability enables businesses of all sizes to invest in drone solutions, making them accessible for a wide range of applications. Commercial drones have seen remarkable technological advancements in areas such as battery life, flight stability, camera capabilities, and data processing. These improvements make drones more reliable and capable, expanding their range of applications. As businesses become more aware of the benefits of drones, they are more likely to invest in these technologies. The growing awareness of how drones can improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance safety drives their adoption. Commercial drones are incredibly versatile, with applications spanning multiple industries. From agriculture to construction, mining to healthcare, drones can perform various tasks, making them attractive to a wide range of businesses. Drones equipped with advanced sensors and cameras can collect vast amounts of data quickly and efficiently. This data can be processed and analyzed to gain valuable insights, aiding decision-making processes in numerous industries. Drones can perform tasks in hazardous or hard-to-reach environments, reducing the risks to human workers. This enhanced safety aspect makes them invaluable in industries such as construction, oil and gas, and s@@earch and rescue. Drones can perform tasks much faster than traditional methods, leading to increased productivity and cost savings. For example, surveying and mapping that would take days or weeks can be completed in a matter of hours with drones.
领英推荐
Based on the type, rotary wing drones are projected to grow with prominent growth rate during the forecast period in global drone market. Rotary-wing drones, also known as multi-rotor drones, use rotor blades to generate lift and move through the air. They are typically smaller and more maneuverable than fixed-wing drones and are designed for short-distance flights and hovering in place. Rotary-wing drones are commonly used in the commercial industry for applications such as aerial photography and videography, delivery services, and inspections of buildings and infrastructure. The global drone market by type based on propulsion systems shows that rotary-wing drones account for a significant portion of the market due to their versatility and wide range of commercial applications. The demand for rotary blade drones is anticipated to surge for inspection activities owing to their ability to hover and execute agile maneuvering while maintaining a visual on a particular target for prolonged periods. These drones are often seen as a suitable alternative for various business applications. In addition, they are easier to control than hybrid and fixed-wing counterparts. Additionally, fixed-wing drones excel in covering large areas swiftly and efficiently, making them highly suitable for tasks such as aerial mapping, surveying, agriculture, and environmental monitoring. The extended flight times enabled by their design provide a distinct advantage over multi-rotor counterparts, enhancing their suitability for long-range missions. Moreover, the rising demand for accurate geospatial data, particularly in industries like construction, mining, and agriculture, underscores the market's growth trajectory. Regulatory frameworks that increasingly accommodate the integration of drones into various sectors further bolster the market's expansion. As industries continue to recognize the value of efficient data acquisition and analysis, the fixed-wing drone segment is poised to experience sustained growth, offering a compelling solution for diverse applications across the commercial landscape. Drones equipped with up-to 25 Kg payload has become the optimal choice for the market with higher growth compared to other payload segmentations in global drone market. Market drivers for drones with a payload capacity of less than 25 kilograms in the industry are pivotal forces that shape the trajectory of this specific segment. These drivers emanate from a fusion of technological innovation, regulatory developments, and diverse application demands. Drones within this weight category offer a versatile solution for various sectors, including aerial photography, small-scale delivery, environmental monitoring, and infrastructure inspection. In addition, the growing need for cost-effective, agile, and easily deployable aerial solutions across industries fuels the demand for drones with less than 25 kilograms payloads. Regulatory frameworks that facilitate the integration of lightweight drones into airspace operations also contribute significantly to the market's expansion. Technological advancements in miniaturization, battery efficiency, and communication systems further bolster the capabilities of these drones, making them more efficient and user-friendly. As businesses and industries recognize the value of incorporating aerial capabilities into their operations, the demand for less than 25 kilograms payload drones is expected to remain robust, driving continuous innovation and market growth.