Drone Sensor Market

[250 Pages Report] According to MarketsandMarkets, the drone sensor market size is expected to be valued at USD 1.4 billion in 2024. It is anticipated to be USD 2.5 billion by 2029, growing at a CAGR of 12.1% during the forecast period. Factors such as the increasing adoption of drone sensor include increasing demand for precision agriculture, rising adoption in the media industry for event coverage, and expanding applications in military, defense, and energy& utilities sectors.

Drone Sensor Market Forecast to 2029

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Drone Sensor Market Dynamics

Driver: Growing need for high-resolution imaging and accurate positioning of locations

The demand for high-resolution imaging and accurate positioning in drones is surging for several reasons. Industries are understanding the immense value of data captured by drones with high-resolution cameras and precise location awareness. This translates to better decision-making, improved efficiency, and new applications. In industries such as construction and agriculture, high-resolution imagery allows for detailed inspections and progress tracking, while accurate positioning ensures data is precisely geo-referenced. Similarly, accurately pinpointing a location can be critical for search and rescue operations, and high-resolution imaging can aid in identifying survivors. As drone technology advances and regulations evolve, these capabilities will create avenues for more sophisticated applications, driving the demand for ever-better imaging and positioning systems.

Restraint: Tampering/hacking of drones

Drone movement can be preprogrammed or manually controlled by hand-held devices. Manual control works via radio frequency, and devices can operate in several spectra, such as short-range FM and UHF bands and unregulated (typically 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz), as well as Bluetooth frequency bands. These systems and signals can be tampered with or hacked into, turning the concerned devices into potential threats to humans. Thus, authorities have established stringent regulations governing drones and their related technologies. For instance, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Regulations (United States) has implemented FAA’s Part 107 regulations that govern the commercial operation of small unmanned aircraft systems (sUAS), commonly known as drones, in the US. These regulations include requirements for drone registration, pilot certification (Remote Pilot Certificate), operational limitations (e.g., altitude and airspace restrictions), and safety precautions. Drones are susceptible to various cyber threats and attacks. Drones for nonmilitary use rely on unencrypted data links for command, control, and navigation, which opens up opportunities for hacking, jamming, interception, and manipulation of drone controls by hackers.

Opportunity: Increasing funding for the development of drones, UAVs, and related technologies

According to Crunchbase, nearly USD ~8 billion was invested in companies developing drones and related technologies between 2018 and 2023. Some of the companies that received funding for developing drones include Zipline (US), Skydio (US), Skyports (US), and Wingcopter (Germany). In February 2023, Skydio, a Silicon Valley-based drone manufacturer, secured USD 230 million in Series E funding. Similarly, in May 2023, Germany-based Wingcopter received USD 44 million from the European Investment Bank to expand its electric unmanned aircraft operations. The company has utilized these funds to deliver essential medicines and supplies to rural areas in Malawi. Additionally, it has initiated a pilot project in Germany aimed at delivering groceries and consumer goods.

Challenge: Unclear government laws related to the drone industry

Unclear or ambiguous regulations regarding drones from government authorities present significant challenges for the drone sensor market players. The absence of clear information fosters uncertainty among businesses, leading to difficulties in understanding legal obligations and compliance risks. As a result, companies may face increased compliance costs, inhibit innovation, and compromise safety. Moreover, inconsistencies in regulations between different jurisdictions can fragment the market and pose logistical challenges for companies operating internationally. Additionally, the absence of clear guidelines exposes businesses to legal liabilities, further reducing investment and hampering market expansion. To overcome these challenges, governments must engage stakeholders, establish clear regulatory frameworks, and provide guidance to encourage the responsible and secure utilization of drones, thereby fostering innovation and driving economic expansion.

Drone Sensor Market Map:

Inertial sensors are expected to have a significantly larger market size during the forecast period

Inertial sensors, also known as inertial measurement units (IMUs), are electronic devices that measure and report a body's specific force (acceleration) and angular rate (rotation). They are commonly used in various applications, including navigation systems for aircraft, spacecraft, drones, and autonomous vehicles. The inertial sensor market for navigation applications has witnessed significant growth with the expansion of the drone industry. Inertial sensors are crucial for drones, providing precise measurements of acceleration, angular velocity, and orientation, which are essential for stable flight control, navigation, and positioning.

Power monitoring application is expected to grow with significantly high CAGR during the forecast period

Many drone manufacturers are introducing intelligent power management systems to accurately calculate remaining flight time through the battery discharge curve, allowing more effective drone energy control. Smart power management systems also prevent over-discharging of batteries and configure automation that will enable them to perform safe maneuvers in case the drones cannot safely finish their missions due to energy issues.

Consumer segment is expected to have significantly large market size during the forecast period

Relaxation of strict norms related to drones and the ready availability of competitively priced drones online are key factors driving the expansion of the consumer end-user industry in the market. Hobbyist drones that meet specific weight criteria and adhere to established rules can be operated legally without legal consequences. Consumer drones do not need FAA approval in the US if flown in private spaces. As enthusiasts increasingly use drones for photography, data collection, and drone racing, the technology, particularly the sensors within these personal drones, continues to advance significantly. The rising need for sensors for better navigation and quick response by consumer drones is expected to boost the growth of the IMU sensor segment. The increasing demand for autopilot mode in personal drones will drive the markets for collision detection & avoidance and speed & distance sensors used in consumer drones during the forecast period.

Asia Pacific to grow with highest CAGR during the forecast period.

The growth of the drone sensor market in the Asia Pacific can be attributed to the rise in military spending (defense and homeland security) of the countries in the region to enhance their defense capabilities. Moreover, political tensions in countries of Asia Pacific have led to the deployment of drones to ensure the security of their borders. This is one of the most significant factors driving the growth of the drone sensor market in the region. The retail and e-commerce sectors dominate Asia Pacific, followed by the healthcare and pharmaceutical sectors. China and Japan are critical markets for drones used in commercial applications.

Drone Sensor Market by Region

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Key Drone Sensor Market Players 

The drone sensor companies is dominated by a few globally established players such TE Connectivity (US), Drone Nerds Enterprise (US), RTX (US), Trimble Inc. (US), InvenSense (US), Bosch Sensortec GmbH (Germany), Sparton (US), ams-OSRAM AG (Austria), Teledyne FLIR LLC. (US), Hottinger Brüel & Kjær (HBK) (Denmark), LeddarTech (Canada), YOST LABS (US), SBG SYSTEMS (France), Velodyne Lidar Inc. (US), Sony Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation (Japan), QuestUAV (UK), Sensirion AG (Switzerland), Aerotenna (US), Swift Navigation Inc. (US), Unmanned Experts Inc. (US), Dynetics, Inc. (US), Kespry (US), GRIFFON AEROSPACE (US), MICRODRONES (Germany), and  Autel Robotics (US).

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Scope of the Report

Drone Sensor Market Highlights

This research report categorizes the overall drone sensor market on the basis of sensor type, platform type, application type, End User Industries, and geography.

Recent Developments

• In April 2024, InvenSense announced the complete distribution availability of its InvenSense SmartSonic ICU-10201 ultrasonic time-of-flight (ToF) sensor featuring on-chip processing. This advancement enables the development of high-performance, low-power Internet of Things (IoT) and robotics products. The ICU-10201 sensor provides the necessary sensitivity for precise obstacle avoidance or proximity sensing, commonly utilized in robotics, drones, and robot vacuum cleaners (RVC) devices. Additionally, it is highly applicable for products requiring level sensing, such as liquid dispensers or coffee machines.
• In January 2024, Bosch Sensortec GmbH launched the BMA530 and BMA580, the world’s smallest accelerometers. These new accelerometers give manufacturers more ways to create powerful features in super-small devices.
• In October 2022, Teledyne acquired ETM-Electromatic Inc., based in Newark, US. Specializing in high-voltage, high-power microwave, and high-energy X-ray products, ETM brings expertise to diverse markets, including medical, security, communications, radar/EW, and test/measurement.
• In April 2022, Bosch acquired Arioso Systems, a German company specializing in MEMS micro speakers, aiming to solidify its dominance in sensor solutions for consumer electronics.

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