Expert Opinions: Apps for drones, UAV market sector and new regulations

April 7, 2016  - By

Q: What is the “killer app” for professional use of drones? What UAV market sector will most powerfully drive adoption and influence new regulations?

 

Jan Leyssens Product Manager, Septentrio

Jan Leyssens
Product Manager, Septentrio

A: The mapping market is opening up. On construction and mining sites, surveyors walk between dozers and dump trucks to create digital terrain models, a time-consuming and dangerous job, which drones can do more efficiently and safely. These jobs are performed in non-public areas, without significant risks or privacy concerns, facilitating public acceptance. Subsequently the potentially larger inspection market will open up. Drones provide an easy, safe way to inspect wind turbines or other installations that are difficult or dangerous to reach.


Tony Murfin Contributing Editor, Professional OEM & UAV, GPS World

Tony Murfin
Contributing Editor, Professional OEM & UAV, GPS World

A: The agriculture industry seeks even greater Improvements in crop yields. GNSS systems in the cabs of combines/harvesters have already helped significantly, but drone use for crop-growth monitoring, data collection and pesticide-prescription application is the big breakthrough — once rules for large-scale low-level drone flight over farmland are approved. Ag will push for published rules just as hard as the movies, real-estate and all types of aerial survey for construction and utilities.


Eric Gakstatter Contributing Editor, GIS & UAV, Geospatial Solutions

Eric Gakstatter
Contributing Editor, GIS & UAV, Geospatial Solutions

A: Amateur photographers and hobbyists are where the volume is. The world’s largest UAV manufacturer now exceeds $1B annual revenue. Its growth is being driven by the hobby market. Commercial use of UAVs is a very small piece of the worldwide UAV market. The UAV market will be very similar to the GPS receiver market, just not at the same scale. The volume in the UAV consumer market will drive the technology (sensors, motors, software) that will benefit commercial UAV manufacturers.

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