The sector of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV), or drones, is growing at an unprecedented rate, moving on the trajectory to becoming a multibillion-dollar market in India. With projections to reach between Rs 12,000 crores to Rs 15,000 crores by 2026, as per Civil Aviation Ministry, the Indian drone industry is all set to become the next big tech disruption across the globe. The sector is gaining huge prominence since the release of new liberalised rules for drones by the Indian government and is marching toward achieving the country’s aim to become a global drone hub by 2030.


Apart from the new Drone Rules 2021, the emergence of deep tech startups in the domain is providing a tremendous thrust to the roots of the sunrise industry. Up till now, all components required to build a drone were imported from China. However, the significant effort of the government is driving Indian tech startups to localise the components of drones by pushing the country’s manufacturing potential. Manufacturing the core hardware electronics that are highly demanded by drone assemblers and suppliers including flight controllers, receivers, propulsion systems, and many others can accelerate the manufacturing capabilities and offer a spectrum of use cases at competitive prices.


Here are five major trends in the drone industry to watch out for that will push the market demand in the coming months:


Aerial intelligence


With advances in automation, artificial intelligence, and data analytics, the emergence of Aerial Intelligence are pivoting the use of drones in public safety. It uses various payloads including a myriad of multiple cameras (Thermal, Depth sensing, Multi-Spectral), Lidars, sensors, Machine learning, and AI to provide real-time insights.


With aerial mapping, businesses can use drones to capture HD imagery with accuracy in far-flung areas. In addition, thermal imaging cameras and sensors are transforming rescue operations, industrial and energy inspection. Thermal drones can see through smoke, making it easier to save lives stranded in fire situations, including forest fires and disasters.


Drone as a Service (DaaS)


With the increasing use cases of drones, the government is coming forward to push startups to facilitate drones as a service. Similar to how the IT sector operates in offering its services to enterprises, DaaS enables enterprises to avail a multitude of services such as inspections for towers, photogrammetry, GIS etc.


This alleviates the need for enterprises to invest heavily in setting up infrastructure including hardware, software, and drone pilots and conducting regular pilot training programmes for the personnel. Instead, the DaaS providers conduct mapping and survey operations for enterprises with extensive expertise.


Defence and reconnaissance


Today, drones or UAVs are playing a crucial role in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, especially in hard-to-reach regions. From identifying security challenges to keeping an eye on vulnerable areas, the use of drones in defence works as a force multiplier for anti-terrorism, border security and patrolling personnel.


It enhances the capabilities of security forces and further helps them in countering emerging challenges to promote safety, without risking lives.


Agricultural applicability


With the expedited adoption of smart technology in agriculture, drones are becoming an essential tool for farmers’ increased productivity and efficiency. Integrated with advanced technologies, drones provide efficient ways for crop monitoring in large and remote fields. It also takes away the hassle of spraying fertiliser and pesticides which takes weeks in doing the job manually. Agriculture drones are equipped with reservoirs to help farmers optimize the use of inputs and act quickly to threats like weed, fungi, etc.


Recreational drones


Apart from commercial use cases, drones have significantly become popular for recreational purposes. Technology enthusiasts and professionals in the field of entertainment and cinematography are also capitalizing on drone technology to create out-of-the-box work. With the help of drones, people are pushing the boundaries of the creative world.


The rise of the drone industry in India is fascinating. It combines a myriad of use cases from different fields, leaving no industry untouched by its unique capabilities. As each industry is starting to experience more benefits, mass adoption of drones will be seen across the country, resulting in demand creation of drone startups, pilots and localised manufacturing and supply of its components.  


(The author is the CEO and co-founder of DroneAdda, which brings made-in-India drone components to the world.)


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