What Does the Future Hold for the Drone Industry?

Drone regulations are a never-ending debate. While some argue it is essential to restrict the amount of freedom, drone manufacturers believe restrictions will only stop the tech from reaching its maximum potential

Fremont, CA: Drones have undergone significant transformation since its inception. From film making to defense purposes, these unmanned vehicles have become an integral part of the system. There were a few concerns about privacy that rose with the development of the technology. However, the innovation and vast applications of drone technology have outweighed all privacy concerns. Even in the recent outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, drone technology has been used significantly to monitor patients and deliver goods. The tech is earmarked to grow further in the coming years, with significant applications in industries like agriculture, mining, construction, exploration of resources, and surveying.

Drones require pilots stationed on the ground, and there is a high demand for drone operators today, as the requirements for becoming a drone operator are quite stringent. Many countries have even stipulated rules for a minimum of one drone operator per drone mission. These figures can indicate where the drone industry is headed in terms of acceptance of the public. In 2019 alone, the number of FAA registered and certified drone operators increased two-fold crossing the 100,000 mark.

One of the reasons for this increase in operators is the organizations that employ drone programs and not amateur drone providers. This is indicative of the more comprehensive mainstreaming of the commercial drone industry, and it is the main engine of growth in the drone sector. At the same time, there is speculation that the increase in the number of pilots is slow, and companies failing to make profits can lead to a decline in the industry. However, there has been consistency in the growth patterns, and experts believe this will be helpful in the long run. More prominent drone companies will continue to explore different ways to make revenue and also bring forth innovative ideas, which would, in turn, boost growth in the sector.

Drone regulations are a never-ending debate. While some argue it is essential to restrict the amount of freedom, drone manufacturers believe restrictions will only stop the tech from reaching its maximum potential. However, all can agree that these regulations will ensure quality and competitiveness, as long as the regulatory mechanism is not stifling. As the number of civilians using drones continues to rise, forming apt regulations has become even more difficult. With Chinese manufacturer's line up of consumer-oriented drones, the interest in drones from civilians has grown significantly. The majority of budding cinematographers and directors rely on drone technology to capture unique footage for their projects. This makes the regulations even more critical to ensure public safety and to standardize the emerging industry.

AI and Virtual Reality (VR) technology have become the tech industry buzzword, and the drone sector is no different. AI, VR, and LiDAR sensors are some of the technologies that are will radically transform the drone industry. AI assists in analyzing the vast amount of data captured by drones. Combining drone technology with Machine Learning and AI can help manufacturers identify quality defects, malfunctions, or inventory shortages much faster than any other method. Workflow integration of drone data and devising a new enterprise asset management system is also emerging as an exciting prospect.