The global drone sensor market size is likely to total USD 4.1 billion by 2033, up from USD 716.5 million in 2023. From 2023 to 2033, the market is estimated to register a CAGR of 18.9%.
The drone sensor industry outlook is positive since the demand for drones in various end-use industries is increasing notably. One of the key factors driving the market growth is the need for effective air pressure management in unmanned systems. Air pressure measurement is critical for drone flight as it affects the stability and safety of the aircraft.
The growing demand for collision detection systems is another significant factor propelling the drone sensor industry. Unmanned systems like drones require collision detection air sensors to aid avoid crashing with other objects including other aircraft, trees, and buildings. In addition, detection air pressure sensors are employed to make sure the drone is flying at safe altitudes and avoiding confined airspace. The drone sensor industry expansion is facilitated by the following factors:
Key Drivers
Drone technology is gaining attention given its superior photography and inspection capabilities.
Key Trends: Current Trends in the Drone Sensor Industry Include:
Key Opportunities: The Opportunities Listed below are Anticipated to Manifest themselves in the Drone Sensor Industry:
| Attributes | Details |
|---|---|
| Value (2022) | USD 586 million |
| Value (2023) | USD 716.5 million |
| Expected Value (2033) | USD 4.1 billion |
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 22.5% |
| Projected CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 18.9% |
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The sales of drone sensors are projected to grow by USD 3.38 billion between 2023 and 2033, surpassing the growth of USD 325.77 million observed between 2018 and 2022.
From 2018 to 2022, the drone sensor industry has grown substantially. The demand for advanced sensors has grown along with the adoption of drones. During this period, several advancements have been made in drone sensor technology, including improvements in image resolution, range, and accuracy. Additionally, there has been a growing demand for specialized sensors such as LiDAR, which enable drones to perform more specialized tasks.
LiDAR is a high-resolution and accurate option for 3D mapping and geospatial data collection. It uses ultraviolet and near-infrared light to enable effective mapping. The use of LiDAR is becoming more popular. The Welsh government awarded Bluesky International a contract in February 2020 to carry out an aerial survey of Wales. The aim was to capture data using LiDAR of over 20,000 square km of Wales' rural and urban landscape, in partnership with Natural Resources Wales.
Engineers and architects are using infrared thermal sensors to capture cloud points for information-based modeling. Drones with thermal imaging sensors are gaining popularity for pipeline leak detection. To develop 3D visualizations and optimize the location of photovoltaic panels for solar farm inspection, businesses are deploying drones fitted with different sensors. The demand for drone sensors is increasing as the usage of drones in various industries grows.
| Time Frame | Growth Factors |
|---|---|
| Short-term (2023 to 2026) |
|
| Medium-term (2026 to 2029) |
|
| Long-term (2029 to 2033) |
|
| Country | The United States |
|---|---|
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 20.8% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 17.6% |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | 1.3 billion |
| Country | The United Kingdom |
|---|---|
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 21.2% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 18% |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | 188.1 million |
| Country | China |
|---|---|
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 24.2% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 19.9% |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | 346.7 million |
| Country | Japan |
|---|---|
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 21.7% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 18.3% |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | 292.9 million |
| Country | South Korea |
|---|---|
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 23.4% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 19.4% |
| Projected Market Value (2033) | 163.4 million |
North America market is predicted to dominate the global market. The existence of numerous leading players and the widespread use of UAVs for both commercial and military purposes is the reason behind the growth. General Atomics was given a USD 93.3 million contract by the United States Department of Defense to provide superior sensors for the MQ-9 Reaper in November 2020.
The contract was part of the Joint Artificial Intelligence Center's Smart Sensor Initiative. It aims to create artificial intelligence for aviation sensor control by showcasing object identification algorithms.
The United States has done a great job of integrating technology through sophisticated machinery to increase manufacturing output. Demand for drones has grown over the years from various industries owing to multiple grants from the Federal Aviation Administration.
A 14 million deal was signed by Teledyne FLIR Defense in May 2022 to provide the United States Army with Black Hornet 3 drones. Hence, the United States drone sensor market is expected to grow significantly during the forecast period.
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems reported that their new Eaglet drone had its first flight in February 2023. This can be flown from a wide unmanned aerial system and equipped with a LiDAR sensor for indoor 3D mapping. BRINC announced the launch of LEMUR 2, their next-generation drone in the United States in March 2023.
The LEMUR 2 improved upon the technological innovations of the LEMUR and included fresh features like their exclusive BRINC Autonomy Engine, which uses the drone's on-board LiDAR sensor to construct a 3D map of its surroundings in real-time to allow several capabilities.
Europe’s drone sensor market is likely to exhibit a strong CAGR. The European Commission approved the European Drone Strategy 2.0 in January 2023. A large-scale drone market is to be established along with an optimized corporate and regulatory framework for drone air space in the region.
Drones are being deployed often in the construction sector across Europe. The United Kingdom drone sensor market is the leading market in this region. The Civil Aviation Authority gave its approval for drone operations beyond visual line of sight in April 2021.
The oil and gas industry is the primary end-use industry in the United Kingdom that highly utilizes drones. One of the first companies in the area to adopt drones for oil and gas applications is British Petroleum (BP). Up until now, the United Kingdom has seen success with drone startup businesses that specialize in creating drones for particular sectors.
The drone sensor sector is also likely to have considerable development prospects given the expanding aerospace and defense expenditure. For instance,
Businesses in the country are concentrating on creating and incorporating drone sensor solutions. For instance,
Asia Pacific drone sensor market is projected to lead the global market in terms of CAGR. The recent modifications to drone laws in several countries in this region are anticipated to support the market expansion. In the previous six years, China rose to become the center of drone production globally. The drone market in China is currently the second leading drone market in the world.
China’s drone sensor market is gaining traction given the strong demand from the low-altitude economy. To encourage the technical development of industrial sectors, the government offers several subsidy programs for drone purchases. In May 2021, the provincial government of Sichuan and Chengdu Aircraft Industrial Group decided to invest cooperatively in the creation of an industrial park in the area devoted to UAVs.
Japan’s drone sensor market is the second leading market in Asia Pacific region after China. To increase local manufacturing, the government of Japan has decided that it is going to significantly invest in the drone business.
In Japan, both the public and private sectors are investing in the invention of drones to meet the rising need for durable, reasonably priced drones to substitute Chinese ones. One such is NTT East, which in January 2021 announced the beginning of a venture with a focus on drone research.
South Korea drone sensor market plays a significant role in the global drone sensor industry. The government has been driving the development of drone and robotics technologies. In this country, agriculture is the primary end-use industry for drone sensors.
Throughout many years, agriculture has consistently been a pioneer in the adoption of new technology to boost productivity here. Moreover, e-commerce businesses in Korea are investigating the use of drone delivery technologies to expedite residential deliveries.
Principal Consultant
| Segment | Sensor Type |
|---|---|
| Top Sub-segment | Image Sensors |
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 22.4% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 18.8% |
| Segment | End User |
|---|---|
| Top Sub-segment | Defense |
| Historical CAGR (2018 to 2022) | 22.3% |
| Forecasted CAGR (2023 to 2033) | 18.7% |
The drone sensor industry has seen significant growth in recent years and the image sensor segment has become a dominant performer in this market. Image sensors play a crucial role when it comes to capture high-quality images and videos for various tasks. These tasks include aerial photography, surveying, mapping, and inspection. These sensors are responsible for capturing light and converting it into digital data.
Current developments in image sensor technology have resulted in the creation of lighte and small sensors that can be used in drones. The demand for drones with improved cameras and sensors has grown intensely as drone technology has become widely available and less expensive.
Technological improvements including back-illuminated sensors and shutter sensors have entered the industry along with established options like complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor sensors. High dynamic range (HDR) and infrared photography capabilities are among the extra features that certain image sensors offer. Drones can now take pictures under difficult lighting and environmental circumstances owing to these characteristics.
The defense industry has controlled the drone sensor sector for a long time since they have been the primary users and developers of drone technology. Drones were initially created to be utilized for military activities such as combat, surveillance, and reconnaissance. As a result, the military industry has been at the forefront of the creation of drone sensor technology.
The defense industry has several advantages over other sectors, including a significant budget for research and development. Several governments also attempt to create a cutting-edge military weapon platform by acquiring cutting-edge technology. This enables them to invest significantly in developing better drone sensors that can handle tricky and demanding jobs. They also have a high tolerance for the price of these sensors since they are so important to the accomplishment and security of missions.
The drone sensor industry is very fragmented, with a handful of businesses holding a sizable portion of the market. These players are mainly concerned with creating sensors that are small, light, and have excellent data and image capabilities. As the market continues to grow, it is likely to witness several players entering the market and developing advanced drone sensors.
DJI: It is one of the leading manufacturers of drones and drone sensors. It offers a range of high-quality sensors that can be used for different applications. It introduced the DJI Air 2S with a unique drone sensor, in January 2021. It is intended for professional photographers and videographers since it has a 1-inch CMOS sensor.
FLIR Systems: It is a leading manufacturer of thermal imaging sensors for drones. Its sensors are used in several applications such as search and rescue, firefighting, and infrastructure inspections. FLIR Technologies announced the commercial availability of the FLIR Vue TZ20, a new drone sensor, in February 2021. It offers both visible-range video recording and high-resolution thermal imaging that is suitable for professional drone operators.
Raytheon Company: It is a key player in the drone sensor industry that focuses on producing sensors for military and defense applications. It provides advanced sensor technologies that are designed to enhance the performance and capabilities of military drones. The Raytheon Company unveiled a cutting-edge sensor in January 2022 that enables one operator to control 130 drones.
Trimble Inc.: It is a United States based company that produces GPS and navigation systems for various applications, including drones. The sensors it produces are used for precision navigation and mapping in drone applications. Trimble® 4D ControlTM version 6.3, the recent version of its primary geospatial automated monitoring software, was released in December 2021. Professionals in surveying, building, and monitoring can make well-informed judgements on infrastructure owing to the software's automatic movement detection.
Aerotenna: It specializes in producing radar sensors for drones. These sensors are used for various applications such as obstacle avoidance, terrain mapping, and precision landing. Aerotenna introduced its latest drone radar sensor in March 2021. It is intended to deliver extremely accurate altitude and distance readings under difficult situations, including inclement weather.
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The market is estimated to secure a valuation of USD 716.5 million in 2023.
The global market size is expected to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2033.
The market is likely to develop at a CAGR of 18.9% through 2033.
Expanding demand for drones and upgradations in drone technology.
Surging demand for hyperspectral and multispectral sensors.
1. Executive Summary 2. Market Overview 3. Market Background 4. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast, 2023 to 2033 5. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Sensor Type 5.1. Inertial Sensors 5.2. Image Sensors 5.3. Speed and Distance Sensors 5.4. Position Sensors 5.5. Pressure Sensors 5.6. Current Sensors 5.7. Ultrasonic Sensors 5.8. Light Sensors 5.9. Altimeter Sensors 5.10. Flow Sensors 5.11. Others 6. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By End-User 6.1. Energy & Utilities 6.2. Precision Agriculture 6.3. Media & Entertainment 6.4. Defense 6.5. Personal 6.6. Law Enforcement 6.7. Security & Surveillance 6.8. Others 7. Global Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Region 7.1. North America 7.2. Latin America 7.3. Europe 7.4. Asia Pacific 7.5. MEA 8. North America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 9. Latin America Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 10. Europe Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 11. Asia Pacific Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 12. MEA Market Analysis 2018 to 2022 and Forecast 2023 to 2033, By Country 13. Key Countries Market Analysis 14. Market Structure Analysis 15. Competition Analysis 15.1. TE Connectivity 15.2. Raytheon Company 15.3. Trimble Inc. 15.4. Parker Hannifin Corp 15.5. InvenSense 15.6. Sparton 15.7. Bosch Sensortec GmbH 15.8. FLIR Systems, Inc 15.9. Velodyne Lidar Inc 15.10. Sony Semiconductor Solutions Corporation 16. Assumptions & Acronyms Used 17. Research Methodology
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Drone Sensor Market
