Drone Software Market

Global Drone Software Marketis valued at USD 6.18 Billion in 2022 and it is expected to reach USD 19.79 Billion by 2029 with a CAGR of 18.1% over the forecast period.

Global Drone Software Market: Global Size, Trends, Competitive, and Historical & Forecast Analysis, 2023-2029- The growing investments in drone technology by governments and private companies, increasing use of drones for military and defense purposes, and the integration of drones with other emerging technologies are some of the major factors driving the growth of the Global Drone Software Market.

Scope of Global Drone Software Market Report-

Drone software is a computer program that allows unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or drones to operate autonomously or through remote control. The software can control various aspects of drone operations, such as flight planning, navigation, camera controls, data capture, and data analysis.

The development of drone software began in the 1990s, primarily for military applications. However, the widespread commercial use of drones has increased the demand for software that can simplify the operation of drones. The advancement in artificial intelligence and machine learning technologies has also enhanced the capabilities of drone software, making it more sophisticated and efficient.

Drone software is used in various industries, including agriculture, construction, mining, surveying, inspection, search and rescue, and photography. In agriculture, drone software can monitor crops and collect data to optimize farming practices. In construction and mining, drones can perform surveying and mapping tasks, while in search and rescue, drones can locate missing persons in remote or inaccessible areas.

Key Players of Global Drone Software Market Report-

Some major key players for the global drone software market report cover prominent players like-

• Airware
• 3D Robotics
• DroneDeploy
• PrecisionHawk
• AgEagle
• Measure
• Kespry
• Skydio
• Autel Robotics
• Flyability
• AirMap
• SimActive
• Altitude Angel
• Delair
• Drone Harmony
• Flytrex
• Harris Corporation
• Intel Corporation
• Lockheed Martin
• Parrot SA
• SenseFly
• Skycatch
• Unifly
• Aerobo
• Airobotics
• Altavian
• Atmos UAV
• Cyberhawk Innovations
• Drone Volt
• EHang
• Flirtey
• GoPro
• Insitu
• L3Harris Technologies
• MAVinci
• Redbird
• Rovotics
• Textron Systems
• UMS Skeldar
• Viper Drones

Global Drone Software Market Segmentation:-

By Solution:

• System
• Application

By Platform:

• Military
• Commercial
• Consumer

By Architecture:

• Open Source
• Closed Source

By End-User:

• Agriculture
• Construction
• Mining
• Oil & Gas
• Logistics & Transportation
• Utilities
• Media & Entertainment
• Others

Covid-19 Impact on the Global Drone Software Market:

The Covid-19 pandemic has had a mixed impact on the drone software market. On the one hand, the restrictions on travel and social distancing measures have led to an increased demand for drones and drone software in various industries. For example; in the healthcare sector, drones have been used to deliver medical supplies and transport samples to testing centers. In addition, drones have been used in the agriculture sector for crop monitoring and in the construction sector for site inspection and monitoring.

On the other hand, the economic slowdown caused by the pandemic has led to a reduction in investment in the drone industry, which has resulted in a decrease in the development of new drone software products. Moreover, the disruption in the supply chain caused by the pandemic has led to a shortage of drone components and delayed the production of drones and drone software.

Revenue Generation Model:

The revenue for the drone software market is generated through the sales of software licenses, subscriptions, and maintenance services. Additionally, some software providers may offer consulting and training services to help businesses integrate drone technology into their operations.

Supply Chain Model:

The supply chain for drone software typically involves software developers, hardware manufacturers, and service providers. The software is developed by specialized companies that work in collaboration with drone manufacturers and service providers to create software that is compatible with their products.

Value Chain Model:

The value chain for drone software involves various stages, including software development, hardware integration, and service provision. Software developers create the software, which is then integrated into drone hardware by manufacturers. Service providers then use drones and software to offer services to end-users.

Market Drivers:

Growing investments in drone technology by governments and private companies are a significant: Governments are investing in drone technology for military and defense purposes, as well as for civil applications such as disaster response, transportation, and surveillance. Private companies are also investing in drone technology for various industries such as agriculture, construction, and mining, among others, to improve operational efficiency and reduce costs.

For example; the U.S. government has allocated over $4 billion in funding for drone research and development programs, and the European Union has invested over €500 million in the development of drone technology.

The increasing investment is fueling the development of new drone software products with advanced features, such as autonomous flight and real-time data processing, which are driving the growth of the drone software market.

The Integration of drones with other emerging technologies such as the internet of things (IoT) and 5G: IoT-enabled drones can collect and transmit real-time data, enabling businesses to make informed decisions quickly. The integration of 5G technology with drones allows for faster and more reliable data transmission, enabling more complex applications such as autonomous drone flights.

This integration also enhances the safety and efficiency of drone operations by providing a stable and secure connection between the drone and the ground station. As the adoption of IoT and 5G technologies continues to grow, the integration with drone technology is expected to drive the growth of the drone software market.

Market Restraints:

Potential threat to privacy and security: Drones can capture high-resolution images and videos from a distance, raising concerns about the misuse of this data. Additionally, drones can be used to conduct unauthorized surveillance or even carry out cyber-attacks. As the use of drones becomes more widespread, the risk of privacy breaches and security threats increases. This has led to increased scrutiny and regulation of drone operations, which could potentially limit the growth of the drone software market.

For example; according to McAfee, the number of publicly reported cyber incidents increased by 88% from 2019 to 2020. The report also found that the number of attacks on cloud services increased by 630% in the same period.

Market Opportunities:

Increasing use of drones in the entertainment and media industry for aerial photography and videography: Drones equipped with high-quality cameras and stabilizers can capture stunning aerial footage that was previously only possible with costly helicopter or crane setups. This technology has enabled filmmakers, sports broadcasters, and other media professionals to capture unique perspectives and enhance the overall quality of their productions. The increasing demand for aerial footage in the entertainment and media industry is expected to drive the adoption of drone software that can efficiently manage and edit this footage, presenting opportunities for companies in the drone software market.

Increasing use of drones for delivery and transportation purposes: Drones can offer a faster and more efficient way to deliver goods, particularly in areas with limited road infrastructure or difficult terrain. The growing demand for e-commerce and same-day delivery services is expected to drive the adoption of drone technology in this industry.

As drones become more advanced and capable of carrying larger payloads, there is an opportunity for drone software providers to develop solutions that can efficiently manage and optimize drone deliveries, including route planning, tracking, and monitoring. This presents an opportunity for companies in the drone software market to develop innovative solutions that can meet the growing demand for drone delivery and transportation services.

Market Trend:

Product and technology development:

The drone software market is seeing a trend toward the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) into drone software. AI and ML can enable drones to operate autonomously, avoiding obstacles and making real-time decisions based on their environment. This technology can significantly improve the efficiency and safety of drone operations. Additionally, there is a growing trend towards the development of drone software that can integrate with other emerging technologies such as IoT and 5G, which can enable real-time data processing and communication.

Customer Trends:

The drone software market is seeing increased demand from a range of industries such as agriculture, construction, and energy. In agriculture, drones can be used for precision farming, enabling farmers to monitor crop health and optimize yields. In construction and energy, drones can be used for site inspections and maintenance, improving safety and reducing costs. Additionally, the entertainment and media industry is increasingly using drones for aerial photography and videography.

Market Competition Nature:

In terms of competition, the drone software market is highly competitive, with numerous players competing for market share. Some of the key players in the market include DJI, 3D Robotics, DroneDeploy, PrecisionHawk, and Airware. To stay competitive, these companies are pursuing various strategies such as mergers and acquisitions, partnerships, and product innovation.

For example; DJI has been expanding its product portfolio to include enterprise-level drones and software, while 3D Robotics has focused on developing open-source drone software platforms. Going forward, the key market players are expected to continue pursuing these strategies while also focusing on expanding their presence in new industries and markets.

Geography Analysis:

North America:

North America is a major market for drone software, with the United States being the largest contributor to the market. The increasing adoption of drones for a wide range of applications, including agriculture, construction, and energy, is driving the growth of the drone software market in the region. In addition, the region has a well-established regulatory framework for drone operations, which has facilitated the growth of the market.

The market is dominated by a few key players, including DJI, 3D Robotics, and DroneDeploy, among others. These companies are actively investing in research and development to develop new and innovative drone software solutions to cater to the growing demand in the region.

For example; the current number of registered drones in the United States as of 2023, is 855,860. This further highlights the increasing adoption of drones in the country and the potential for the drone software market to continue growing in the region.

Europe:

In Europe, the drone software market is expected to experience significant growth due to increasing investments in drone technology by governments and private companies. The European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) has also been working to create a regulatory framework for drones, which is expected to increase the adoption of drone technology in the region.

The agriculture industry is one of the largest users of drone technology in Europe, with drones being used for precision farming and crop monitoring. Additionally, the construction and energy industries are increasingly using drones for site inspections and maintenance. The use of drones for aerial photography and videography is also growing in the entertainment and media industry in Europe.

Key Benefits of Global Drone Software Market Report–

• Global Drone Software Market report covers in-depth historical and forecast analysis.
• Global Drone Software Market research report provides detailed information about Market Introduction, Market Summary, Global market Revenue (Revenue USD), Market Drivers, Market Restraints, Market Opportunities, Competitive Analysis, and Regional and Country Level.
• Global Drone Software Market report helps to identify opportunities in the marketplace.
• Global Drone Software Market report covers extensive analysis of emerging trends and competitive landscape.