The LiDAR drones market is anticipated to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, exhibiting a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 17.6% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2030, as per a report. The market’s growth is attributed to the increasing applications of LiDAR drones in land surveying, construction site monitoring, and environmental monitoring, as well as the rising use of LiDAR drones for producing precise 3D maps and models, and the growing adoption of LiDAR drones in agriculture.
Additionally, the emergence of 4D LiDAR sensors and their various advantages, such as high resolution and real-time imaging, are expected to create significant opportunities for the market. However, the high cost of LiDAR drones and their limitations in functioning under adverse weather conditions such as heavy rain, snow, and fog pose challenges to the market’s growth.
The global LiDAR drones market is segmented based on survey method, type, range, end-use industry, and geography, with an evaluation of industry competitors and analysis of regional and country-level markets.
The emergence of 4D LiDAR sensors is expected to support the growth of the LiDAR drones market. 4D LiDAR sensors are next-generation Frequency-Modulated Continuous Wave (FMCW) LiDAR sensors that offer advanced 4D vision by detecting instant velocity in addition to position.
These sensors provide camera-level image resolution with up to 20 times the resolution of standard sensors, enabling them to detect objects up to 500 meters away. They also deliver real-time camera images with up to 1,000 lines per frame without motion blur. These advantages have driven the demand for 4D LiDAR sensors in drones for various applications such as surveying, mapping, detecting, and collecting 4D elevation data.
Additionally, partnerships among companies for the development of 4D LiDAR offerings are further driving the market’s growth. For example, SICK AG (Germany) partnered with Aeva Technologies, Inc. (U.S.) in August 2022 to bring Aeva’s 4D LiDAR, Aeries II, to various industrial sensing applications, including long-range sensing technology. Moreover, governments’ requirements for high-quality data for shoreline mapping, monitoring, erosion measurement, and flood modeling are expected to stimulate the development of 4D LiDAR sensors.
Based on survey method, the topographic LiDAR segment is expected to account for the largest share of the global LiDAR drones market in 2023. Near-infrared laser beams are widely used in topographic LiDAR for mapping land and buildings, and the segment finds applications in various industries such as military, civil engineering, governments, and agriculture. On the other hand, the bathymetric LiDAR segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period.
Bathymetric LiDAR is specialized LiDAR that uses green and blue lasers to measure the depth of water bodies and create high-resolution maps of underwater topography. The increased marine activities, including dredging, reclamation, offshore drilling, and other marine constructions, are expected to drive the growth of this segment.
In terms of type, the rotary drones segment is anticipated to account for the largest share of the global LiDAR drones market in 2023. Rotary drones offer better control over position and framing for aerial photography and surveillance and are capable of flying more closely to structures and buildings due to multiple motors, thereby increasing operational efficiency and reducing inspection time. Rotary drones are extensively used in various industries and applications, including aerial photography, surveying and mapping, search and rescue operations, and military and defense operations.
These drones are small and agile, making them suitable for various industries and applications such as aerial photography, surveying and mapping, search and rescue operations, and military and defense operations. Their ability to hover in place and fly in any direction provides them with greater flexibility and maneuverability compared to fixed-wing drones. Additionally, their vertical takeoff and landing capability makes them well-suited for operations in urban areas or other environments where space is limited.
The global LiDAR drones market is also segmented based on range, including tactical range (up to 130 m), medium range (130 m – 230 m), and long-range (more than 230 m). In 2023, the tactical range segment is expected to account for the largest share of the LiDAR drone market. This is due to the growing need for reliable and cost-effective solutions to enable safe unmanned aircraft operations, including detecting turbulence, wind shear, volcanic ash, supercooled liquid clouds with icing risks, and high ice water content clouds from unmanned aircraft in real-time.
On the other hand, the long-range segment is projected to register the highest compound annual growth rate (CAGR) during the forecast period. Long-range LiDAR drones are capable of scanning at high speeds with 360° angles. They find applications in various industries, including land surveying, infrastructure inspection, environmental monitoring, and disaster response. These drones are particularly useful for mapping large areas quickly and efficiently, as they can cover vast distances and capture detailed data with high accuracy.
The global LiDAR drones market is also segmented based on end-use industry, including construction, agriculture, mining, oil and gas, forestry and environment, transportation and logistics, and others. In 2023, the construction segment is expected to account for the largest share of the market. The increasing adoption of LiDAR drones for land surveying, construction site monitoring, and environmental monitoring is driving the growth of this segment. LiDAR drones are used to create precise and accurate 3D maps and models, which aid in construction planning, design, and monitoring of progress.
However, the agriculture segment is projected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The use of LiDAR drones in agriculture has gained significant traction for crop management, disease detection, irrigation management, and yield estimation. LiDAR drones provide farmers with valuable insights and data for making informed decisions, optimizing crop yield, and reducing operational costs. The mining, oil and gas, forestry and environment, and transportation and logistics segments are also expected to contribute to the growth of the LiDAR drones market, driven by the increasing demand for efficient and accurate data collection in these industries.
In conclusion, the global LiDAR drones market is projected to reach $1.9 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 17.6% during the forecast period of 2023 to 2030. The market growth is attributed to the growing applications of LiDAR drones in land surveying, construction site monitoring, and environmental monitoring, as well as the increasing use of LiDAR drones for producing precise and accurate 3D maps and models, and the growing adoption in agriculture.
The emergence of 4D LiDAR sensors is expected to further support the market growth. However, challenges such as the high cost of LiDAR drones and their limitations in heavy rain, snow, and fog conditions may hamper market growth. The market is segmented based on survey method, type, range, end-use industry, and geography, and is characterized by industry competitors, regional, and country-level markets.
LiDAR, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances and create precise three-dimensional maps or point cloud data of objects and surfaces. LiDAR sensors emit laser pulses that bounce back when they encounter objects, and the time taken for the light to return to the sensor is measured to calculate the distance. By collecting multiple data points, LiDAR sensors can create highly accurate and detailed maps of terrain, vegetation, buildings, and other objects, making them valuable tools in various applications such as mapping, surveying, forestry, archaeology, and urban planning.
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