According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global LiDAR drone market was valued at USD 129.0 million in 2020 and is projected to grow from USD 143.0 million in 2021 to USD 455.0 million by 2028, representing a CAGR of 17.98% during the forecast period. North America led the market in 2020 with a 39.74% share, driven by extensive adoption across infrastructure, forestry, and defense applications. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations, causing a decline of -5.6% compared to the average annual growth between 2017 and 2019.
LiDAR drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors. These drones are transforming industries by enabling high-precision 3D mapping, terrain modeling, structural inspections, and object detection. Compared to traditional surveying methods, LiDAR drones offer:
Industries benefiting from these technologies include construction, precision agriculture, forestry, archaeology, and environmental monitoring.
Rotary-Wing Drones hold the largest market share due to their cost-effectiveness, easy maneuverability, and suitability for 3D mapping and corridor applications. Fixed-Wing Drones are expected to register the fastest growth, driven by requirements for long-range detection, Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) operations, and higher payload capacities.
Mechanical LiDAR dominated the market in 2020, widely used for 360-degree data detection across large areas. In contrast, Solid-State LiDAR is projected to grow the fastest, owing to its compact design, lower cost, and superior resolution for precision mapping and corridor applications.
Short-Range LiDAR held the largest share in 2020, favored for low-altitude operations due to cost efficiency and ease of use. Long-Range LiDAR is expected to expand rapidly, leveraging advanced laser technology for high-altitude and long-distance detection.
Mapping and Cartography accounted for the largest segment in 2020, driven by infrastructure development, agriculture, oil & gas, and energy utility projects. Other applications such as environmental monitoring, surveillance, exploration, detection, and precision agriculture are also contributing significantly to market growth.