LiDAR Drone Market Analysis, Share, Size, Growth and Forecast, 2021–2028
- Rishika Chavan
- 11 hours ago
- 3 min read
According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global LiDAR drone market size was valued at USD 129.0 million in 2020. The market is projected to grow from USD 143.0 million in 2021 to USD 455.0 million by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 17.98% during the forecast period.
North America dominated the global market in 2020 with a 39.74% share, driven by widespread adoption in sectors such as infrastructure, forestry, and defense. However, due to the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the market experienced a negative growth rate of -5.6% in 2020 compared to the average annual growth recorded between 2017 and 2019. This disruption was medium in scale and affected demand across key regions.
Market Overview
LiDAR drones—unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors—are increasingly favored for their ability to capture accurate 3D images for applications such as mapping, terrain modeling, object detection, and structural inspections. These systems offer significant advantages over traditional surveying methods, including faster data collection, higher precision, and lower operational costs.
Key Industry Players
Velodyne Lidar, Inc. (U.S.)
Teledyne Optech Inc. (Canada)
RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH (Austria)
Delair SAS (France)
Phoenix LiDAR Systems (U.S.)
Leica Geosystems AG (Switzerland)
YellowScan (France)
LiDARUSA (U.S.)
SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd. (China)
Benewake (China)
RoboSense (China)
Sick AG (Germany)
Microdrones (Germany)
These companies are focusing on R&D investment, product innovation, and strategic collaborations to strengthen their global presence and technological capabilities.
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Market Drivers
Enhanced Processing and Imaging Capabilities
The growing preference for LiDAR drones is rooted in their ability to generate high-resolution 3D data efficiently. These platforms reduce operational expenses and enhance image quality and processing speed compared to conventional surveying technologies.
Rising Demand for 3D Imaging and Data Exploration
From archaeology and construction to agriculture and environmental monitoring, LiDAR drones are widely used to collect detailed and reliable datasets, supporting advanced exploration and mapping initiatives.
Advancements in Sensor Technologies
The integration of MEMS-based scanners, optical altimeters, and dynamic sensor arrays is enhancing the compactness, accuracy, and cost-effectiveness of UAV LiDAR systems, expanding their application scope across industries.
Market Restraints
High Initial Costs and Regulatory Barriers
LiDAR drone systems require the integration of laser scanners, navigation systems, and high-resolution cameras, making them expensive. Additionally, flight regulations, airspace restrictions, and operational guidelines impose limitations on usage, especially in urban and sensitive zones.
Key Market Trends
Development of Solid-State and MLA-Based Sensors
Next-generation LiDAR sensors, including solid-state and Micro-Lidar Array (MLA) technologies, are transforming the market by offering lightweight, cost-effective, and highly efficient imaging capabilities suitable for commercial and defense applications.
Expanding Corridor Mapping Applications
LiDAR drones are increasingly used for monitoring highways, bridges, railways, and energy infrastructure, especially in difficult-to-reach environments, enhancing inspection efficiency and safety.
Segmentation Overview
By Product
Rotary Wing: Dominated the market in 2020, particularly multi-rotor drones, due to their stability, ease of control, and effectiveness in corridor and close-range mapping.
Fixed Wing: Expected to grow steadily owing to long-range and BLOS (Beyond Line of Sight) capabilities suitable for surveying large, open areas.
By LiDAR Type
Mechanical LiDAR: Held the largest market share in 2020, driven by its 360-degree scanning capabilities.
Solid-State LiDAR: Anticipated to register the fastest growth due to its compact size, durability, and affordability.
By Range
Short Range: Led the market in 2020, widely used for low-altitude operations such as terrain mapping and structural inspections.
Long Range: Forecasted to witness strong growth as advancements enhance detection distance and data accuracy, critical for applications in mining and environmental surveys.
By Application
Mapping and Cartography: Emerged as the leading segment in 2020, fueled by demand in power line inspection, infrastructure development, and precision agriculture.
Other Applications: Include surveillance, environmental monitoring, exploration, and defense operations, which continue to expand with the growing utility of UAV platforms.
Regional Insights
North America
Accounted for a market size of USD 51.27 million in 2020.
Dominance driven by advanced drone regulations, presence of major players such as Velodyne and LiDARUSA, and strong government and industrial adoption.
Europe
Held the second-largest market share due to environmental initiatives, infrastructure investments, and homegrown technology providers like Leica Geosystems and Delair.
Asia Pacific
Expected to witness the fastest growth, fueled by drone adoption in agriculture, mining, and surveying in countries like China and India.
Middle East & Africa
Forecasted to experience moderate growth, supported by infrastructure development projects and increasing drone penetration.
Rest of the World
Includes emerging regions like South Africa and Turkey, with growing demand for cost-effective geospatial tools and surveying solutions.
Recent Developments
July 2021 – Microdrones successfully completed a high-precision survey of three dams in Brazil, covering 10 square kilometers within a single week.
June 2021 – Velodyne launched the next-generation Velabit™ sensor, featuring micro-lidar array (MLA) technology for enhanced field of view and image resolution.
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