Global Consumer Drone Market by Product (Rotary Blade Drone, Fixed Wing Drone & Hybrid Drone), By Technology (Fully Autonomous, Semi-autonomous and Remote Operated), By Application (Prosumer, Toy/Hobbyist, and Photogrammetry), By Distribution Channel (Online & Offline) and by Region - Global and Regional Industry Overview, Market Intelligence, Comprehensive Analysis, Historical Data, and Forecasts 2022-2030

Industry Prospective

The global Consumer Drone market size was worth around USD 3.76 Billion in 2021 and is predicted to grow around USD 14.27 Billion by 2030 with a compound annual growth rate of roughly 16.9% between 2022 and 2030. The report analyzes the global consumer drone market's drivers, restraints/challenges, and the effect they have on the demands during the projection period. In addition, the report explores emerging opportunities in the consumer drone market.

Global Consumer Drone Market: Overview

A drone is a remote-controlled aircraft that can access sensors, GPS, and navigational systems on the ground. Drones have long-range cameras. The camera ensures constant aerial photography, videography, and flight detection. Sensor-based flying robots help pilots discover atmospheric risks.

Moreover, traditional use cases, which include security, surveillance, and monitoring, are most likely to grow in industries that have high rates of both labor expenses and criminal activity. The usage of drones for mapping out elevated infrastructure that may have damaged electrical wires or unstable roofs, as well as for search and rescue missions in dangerous and inaccessible regions, is becoming increasingly commonplace.

The regulatory framework for new consumer drones is now being developed by government bodies around the world. This framework will guide operations in particular scenarios. For instance, the government of Canada has established regulations concerning the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). These regulations mandate testing and certification for both the basic and advanced levels of drone operations. When it comes to drone operations, hobbyists and commercial flights fall under the basic category, whereas advanced operations involve licensed pilots who are able to fly in restricted areas.

Due to a rise in the number of market participants and the introduction of cutting-edge technology, manufacturers face fierce market competition. Prominent players such as DJI, Parrot, Yuneec, and UVify are working to improve the product's speed, camera visibility, high monitoring systems, which can be used for a wider variety of applications, and technologically advanced features so that the product can also be used for recreational purposes.

Aerial photography, cinematography, and the creation of special effects are just some of the ways that the media and entertainment industries are putting drones to use. The integration of drones with other technologies will lead to the emergence of other changes. During the design phase of a project, for instance, operators of roads and railroads might reap benefits from the utilization of drones and 3D modelling software.

In addition, the incorporation of AI makes it possible for providers of drones to collect and analyze data regarding the surrounding environment and visuals by making use of the information obtained through sensors that are linked to the drone. Drones that are powered by AI require computer vision as a fundamental product. Drones equipped with this technology have the ability to recognize objects in the air, as well as evaluate and record data on the ground. The processing of images is done locally, and high performance is achieved through the use of neural networks. This is how computer vision works.

Key Insights

• As per the analysis shared by our analyst team, the global consumer drone market is estimated to grow annually at a CAGR of around 16.9% over the forecast period (2022-2030).
  In terms of revenue, the global consumer drone market size was valued at around USD 3.76 Billion in 2021 and is projected to reach USD 14.27 Billion, by 2030. Due to a variety of driving factors, the market is predicted to rise at a significant rate
• Based on product, the rotary blade drone segment was predicted to show maximum market share in the year 2021
• Based on technology, the semi-autonomous segment was the leading revenue-generating type in 2021
• On the basis of application, the toy/hobbyist segment was projected to show largest share in the year 2021
• On the basis of distribution channel, the online segment was dominating the market share in the year 2021
• On the basis of region, North America were the leading revenue generator in 2021

COVID-19 Impact

The COVID-19 had a negative effect on the development of the market's growth. The COVID-19 pandemic crisis has impeded the short-term growth in demand for the consumer drone market due to the slowdown of outdoor activities involving commercial drones and the unavailability of the workforce required for necessary operations. This is because the pandemic is caused by the COVID-19 virus. Additionally, many e-commerce sites have stopped the provision of non-essential commodities, which has a detrimental impact on the expansion of the consumer drone market.

Consumer Drone Market: Growth Drivers

Increasing Usage for Recreational and Commercial Purposes to Propel the Market Growth

Rising recreational and commercial use of drones will boost the consumer drone market share. Businesses use drone-gathered data to speed up service delivery. Advances in flight technology and controls and portable photography & video technologies have boosted demand for drones such as helicopters, multi-copters, and tiltrotors.

New Innovations of Consumer Drones Surging Demand for Drones

New developments in the production of consumer drones have enhanced the product's demand. New drone model specifications include faster speeds, greater range, navigation systems that can be linked to the user's smartphone, and safe, dependable, and effective control systems. Motor drivers, angle and position sensors, chargers, and regulators provide consumer drones with all the required components for optimal control systems and power economy. These characteristics of consumer drone components excel in performance and have minimal power consumption, positively influencing consumer purchasing decisions.

Consumer Drone Market: Restraints

Limited Awareness and Low Battery Life of Drones Hampering Market Growth

The limited awareness associated with drones is hampering the market's growth. Additionally, it is anticipated that difficulties such as concerns over lack of battery life would impede the growth of the consumer drone industry.

Consumer Drone Market: Opportunities

Increasing Investments in Drones Augmenting the Market Growth

The increasing investments in drones are actually propelling the market growth during forecasted years. For instance, in September 2022, Dare Ventures invested in Dhaksha Unmanned Systems to scale up the production, R&D and talent acquisition.

Consumer Drone Market: Challenges

Concerns Pertaining to Stringent Regulations will be Challenging Factor for Consumer Drones

Drones have been rapidly utilised throughout industries in recent years as a result of their very effective technology for multiple aerial applications. However, the majority of businesses are concerned about the lack of air traffic control in numerous nations. Numerous nations have enacted stringent regulations on the operation of drones near airports and their surroundings. Most governments have decreed drone usage as an infringement of privacy and personal space, which has impeded the global market for consumer drones.

Consumer Drone Market: Segmentation Analysis

Based on product, the global market is segmented into rotary blade drone, fixed wing drone & hybrid drone. The rotary blade drone dominates the market share owing to the increased utilization for aerial photography and videography, and the devices take advantage of the unique capability of vertical takeoff and landing, which is absent in other alternatives. These devices have an increased payload capacity, making them appropriate for a variety of applications. Multiple regions make extensive use of multirotor drones for law enforcement operations.

On the basis of technology, the market is bifurcated into fully autonomous, semi-autonomous and remote operated. The semi-autonomous segment is dominating the market share owing to being extensively utilized for real-time data collection from rugged terrains, unmapped surroundings, and stormy situations. 

The application of machine learning and AI algorithms enables these drones to reach areas without GPS via intelligent flight. The efficiency of semi-autonomous drones is determined by the low-level control that enables them to function autonomously in response to high-level inputs. Diverse drone manufacturers are utilizing AI to develop the next generation of semi-autonomous drones to meet consumer demands.

Based on application, the global market segments are prosumer, toy/hobbyist, and photogrammetry. The toy/hobbyist segment is dominating the market share owing to the increasing number of individuals who are willing to fly drones for recreational purposes, such as photography, entertainment, and videography to capture joyful experiences. This increase in the recreational usage of drones as toys has propelled the consumer drone sector.

The regulatory authorities are also implementing guidelines for the operation of hobbyist drones. FAA has granted recreational drone pilots access to the Low Altitude Authorization and Notification Capability (LAANC) system. This permits pilots to obtain immediate authorization from the government to fly drones in controlled airspace.

On the basis of distribution channel, the market is bifurcated into online & offline. The online segment is dominating the market share owing to availability of a wide variety and less time taking contributing to the market growth.

Recent Development

February 2022- Flytrex has been granted permission by the Federal Aviation Administration to expand its delivery radius from one to two nautical miles from the bases in North Carolina and Texas to reach upto 100,000 customers.

March 2021- Andreessen Horowitz has invested $340M for Series D in Skydio.

Regional Landscape

North America Continues Dominating Market Share Owing to Presence of Major Players
North America is dominating the market share of the global consumer drone market owing to the presence of major players and a well-established network. High purchasing power of the population, increased government investment on advanced consumer drones, and beneficial measures by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are anticipated to boost the growth of the consumer drones market in the region.

Competitive Landscape

Aeronavics Ltd., Ehang, AeroVironment Inc., Autel Robotics, Teledyne FLIR LLC, Teal Drones, UVify, Holy Stone, Intel Corporation, AgEagle Aerial Systems Inc., Parrot Drone SAS, PrecisionHawk, SKYDIO, INC., DJI, Yuneec International Co., Ltd. amongst others.

The global Consumer Drone market is segmented as follows:

By Product

• Rotary Blade Drone
• Fixed Wing Drone
• Hybrid Drone

By Technology

• Fully Autonomous
• Semi-autonomous
• Remote Operated

By Application

• Prosumer
• Toy/Hobbyist
• Photogrammetry

By Distribution Channel

• Online
• Offline

By Region

• • North America
  • The U.S.
  • Canada
  • Mexico
  • Rest of North America
• Europe
  • France
  • The UK
  • Spain
  • Germany
  • Italy
  • Nordic countries
    • Denmark
    • Finland
    • Iceland
    • Sweden
    • Norway
  • Benelux Reunion
    • Belgium
    • The Netherlands
    • Luxembourg
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • New Zealand
  • Australia
  • South Korea
  • Southeast Asia
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Malaysia
    • Singapore
    • Rest of Southeast Asia
  • Rest of Southeast Asia
• The Middle East & Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • UAE
  • Egypt
  • Kuwait
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of Latin America