Drone Software Market Size To Reach $23.73 Billion By 2030

Drone Software Market Growth & Trends

The global drone software market size is expected to reach USD 23.73 billion by 2030, expanding at a CAGR of 18.6% from 2023 to 2030, according to a new study by Grand View Research, Inc. The growing trend of integrating AI and Machine Learning (ML) algorithms into drone software to optimize various functions, including autonomous flight, object detection, obstacle avoidance, and data analysis, is expected to drive the market for drone software over the forecast period. Additionally, this technological development enables businesses and organizations to boost drone capabilities, ensure safer and more dependable drone-based operations, and improve operational efficiency, which is expected to drive demand in the coming years.

Technological advancement is a prominent trend in the market for drone software. Leading market players are focusing on developing advanced drone software that offers automation in drone flying, efficient picture data transfer, and delivers survey-grade results. For instance, in March 2022, Asteria Aerospace Ltd., an Indian drone manufacturer & solution provider, launched ‘SkyDeck’. This cloud-based platform provides a comprehensive Drone-as-a-Service (DaaS) solution, offering AI-based aerial data analysis, data processing, visualization, and drone fleet management for diverse applications. Such technological innovations are restructuring the drone industry, empowering businesses to harness the full potential of drones for various purposes with enhanced efficiency and accuracy. Such developments are poised to drive market growth for drone software over the forecast period.

Several companies operating in the drone software space focus on collaborations and acquisitions to cater to a larger customer base and strengthen their foothold. For instance, in February 2023, DELAIR acquired NOTILO PLUS, a provider of autonomous underwater robotic solutions. This acquisition led to the establishment of a new business unit called DELAIR MARINE and expanded DELAIR's services for Industry and Defense to include the marine environment. With this acquisition, DELAIR now provides a complete solution for marine operations, encompassing aerial and underwater drones, advanced data processing software focusing on data sovereignty, and accompanying service offerings. Such developments are expected to propel the market expansion for drone software over the forecast period.

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Drone Software Market Report Highlights

• Based on solution, the application segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. This is attributed to the properties offered, which include comprehensive and integrated software platforms

• Based on architecture, the open-source segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. This is attributed to its public availability and its ability to modify as per the requirements of the end-user

• The onboard deployment segment is expected to grow considerably in the coming years, owing to its ability to enable software applications to run directly on the drone's embedded systems

• Based on application, the filming & photography segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022. The increasing number of events being held globally, such as weddings, sports, races, and educational ceremonies, among others, is driving the segment growth

• In terms of the industry vertical, the media & entertainment segment dominated the market with the largest revenue share in 2022. The increasing adoption of drones equipped with high-quality cameras and advanced stabilization systems for aerial cinematography is driving segment growth

• Based on the drone type, the rotary blade segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022. This is attributed to its rapidly growing usage in inspection activities

• Based on end-use, the commercial segment accounted for the largest revenue share in 2022, owing to the increasing enterprise application of drones across various industry verticals

• The North American market captured a significant revenue share in 2022. The growth is attributed to the presence of key industry players in the region, along with a strong drone-based infrastructure

Drone Software Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global drone software market based on solution, architecture, deployment, application, industry vertical, drone type, end-use, and region:

Drone Software Solution Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• System

• Application

  • Flight Planning, Operations & Management

  • Data Capture

  • Data Processing & Analytics

  • Others

Drone Software Architecture Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Open Source

• Closed Source

Drone Software Deployment Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Onboard

• Ground-based

Drone Software Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Filming & Photography

• Inspection & Maintenance

• Mapping & Surveying

• Precision Agriculture

• Surveillance & Monitoring

• Search & Rescue

• Others

Drone Software Industry Vertical Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Agriculture

• Construction and Mining

• Defense and Government

• Energy and Utilities

• Media and Entertainment

• Logistics and Transportation

• Others

Drone Software Drone Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Fixed Wing

• Rotary Blade

• Hybrid

Drone Software End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• Commercial

• Consumer

• Military

Drone Software Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Billion, 2018 - 2030)

• North America

  • U.S.

  • Canada

• Europe

  • Germany

  • U.K.

  • France

  • Italy

  • Spain

• Asia Pacific

  • China

  • Japan

  • India

  • South Korea

  • Australia

• Latin America

  • Brazil

  • Mexico

• Middle East & Africa (MEA)

  • Saudi Arabia

  • UAE

List of Key Players in the Drone Software Market

• AirMap Inc. (DroneUp, LLC)

• Delair SAS

• SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd.

• DroneDeploy, Inc.

• Esri

• Pix4D SA

• PrecisionHawk, Inc.

• AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc.

• Skycatch, Inc.

• Skydio, Inc.

• Skyward IO, Inc.

• Yuneec International Co., Ltd.