Drone Industry
A Trariti Consulting Group Study by Swapnil Roy
About the Drone Industry
Drone technology is rapidly evolving, and its potential to revolutionize various fields, including agriculture, emergency response, defense, asset inspection, transportation, disaster management, security, construction, mining, forestry management, remote sensing, avionics, science, research, photography, and filmmaking is immense.
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The incorporation of numerous sensors and controllers into drone platforms, made possible by advancements in mobile embedded computing, allows them to perceive and comprehend their internal status and the external world. Drones are capable of providing real-time data on farms, enabling farmers to make informed decisions about the use of farm inputs. They can also transport medical supplies to remote areas in impoverished nations during health emergencies. Military drones are used for security and observation, assisting in target selection for assassination. Commercial drones are being utilized in various sectors to enhance efficiency and safety while conserving resources.
A drone, or unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), is an unpiloted flying robot that is controlled remotely or via self-automation software. It is composed of a power source, such as lithium-ion batteries, fuel, and hybrid cells, rotors, propellers, cameras, altimeter, controllers, and a body frame. Lightweight and composite materials are used to manufacture the drone's structure to minimize weight and improve maneuverability during flight. Drones are autonomous aircraft that are either pre-programmed or operated remotely. The term "drone" has become a generic term for any unmanned robot, but in this article, we are referring specifically to aerial drones. Drones can be classified based on their usage, such as photography, aerial mapping, and surveillance, depending on the utilized sensor.
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Types of Drones
The best classification of drones is based on aerial platforms, and they can be classified into four categories: multi-rotor drones, fixed-wing drones, single rotor helicopters, and fixed-wing hybrid VTOL. Multi-rotor drones are the most popular and widely used, while fixed-wing drones are different from multi-rotor drones in design and construction. They have a wing like other airplanes and do not require energy to stay in the air. Instead, they follow their predetermined path or the instructions of a human-operated remote unit as long as their energy source allows.Single-rotor drones share similarities with helicopters in terms of their design and construction, utilizing only one large rotor and a smaller tail rotor to control direction. Such drones tend to be more efficient than their multi-rotor counterparts, with the ability to fly for longer periods and even being powered by gas engines.
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Additionally, having fewer rotors typically results in lower object spin, making single-rotor drones more effective than octocopters.Fixed-wing hybrid VTOL models blend the benefits of rotor-based aircraft (hover capability) with those of fixed-wing aircraft (longer flight times). Although this concept was initially explored in the 1960s with little success, the development of new-generation sensors such as gyros and accelerometers has revitalized interest and direction for this technology.It's clear that the drone industry has grown significantly in recent years, with the drone services market projected to reach USD 63.6 billion by 2025 and USD 501.4 billion by 2028. In 2019, the global commercial drone industry was valued at USD 4.4 billion, with an increase to USD 20.8 billion in 2020. Predictions show a compound annual growth rate of 69.25% from 2021 to 2028.
Volume-wise, demand for drones was estimated to be 689.4 thousand units in 2020, expected to rise to 2.4 million units by 2023. North America held the largest drone services market share in 2019 due to the presence of established drone service providers, followed by the Asia-Pacific region in second place and Europe in third place. The increasing use of UAVs in various industries is a driving force behind the continued growth of the drone industry.
The Drone Market in India
The drone industry is witnessing significant growth as companies invest heavily in drone technology. Drone usage has shifted from hobbyists and commercial photographers to industrial users, resulting in a major shift in the drone business. Drone technology has found new applications in various sectors, such as mining, cinematography, agriculture, and surveillance, beyond traditional services. Moreover, the drone market has grown due to favorable government rules and policies that promote their use. India has become the fastest-growing drone market in the world since the legalization of drones in 2018
The commercial drone market has seen significant growth in recent years due to increased awareness, technical improvement, and expanding usage across numerous sectors in the nation. Furthermore, government initiatives such as "Make in India" to support local drone production have contributed to the growth of India's commercial drone market.
The market is predicted to expand by 16.08 percent every year (CAGR 2021-2025), generating revenue of US$15.8 million in 2021, and expected to rise by 32.1 percent in volume in 2022. The market's growth is attributed to several factors, including the rising demand from the military and defense industry, the construction industry's rapid expansion, and the use of drones equipped with GIS, mapping services, and LiDAR technology for land surveying, enhancing safety, and averting dangerous circumstances. In addition, the market is stimulated by the creation of customized and technologically enhanced variations of drones for business purposes, equipped with heat sensors and night vision cameras, among other features. Moreover, the growing use of drones in the healthcare industry for the speedy delivery of vaccinations, medical supplies, and pharmaceuticals is expected to drive the market forward.
