LiDAR Drone Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth and Forecast, 2021–2028

According to Fortune Business Insights™, the global LiDAR drone industry size 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, at a CAGR of 17.98% during the forecast period.

North America led the global market in 2020 with a 39.74% share, supported by widespread adoption across infrastructure, forestry, and defense applications. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted operations, causing a decline of -5.6% in 2020 compared to the average annual growth recorded between 2017–2019.

Market Overview

LiDAR drones, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors, are revolutionizing 3D mapping, terrain modeling, structural inspections, and object detection. Compared to traditional surveying methods, these drones deliver faster data collection, higher accuracy, and lower costs, making them vital for industries such as construction, precision agriculture, archaeology, and forestry.

The demand for UAV LiDAR systems is largely fueled by their enhanced image resolution, rapid automated data processing, and ability to produce high-quality 3D images. A surge in the use of 3D imaging technology and the rising deployment of drones for terrain exploration, environmental monitoring, and heritage studies are accelerating market growth.

Growth Factors

1. Rising Adoption of Cost-Effective 3D Mapping Solutions
   Advances in laser sensors and UAV platforms are expanding applications in vegetation monitoring, precision farming, archaeology, and large-scale infrastructure surveys. LiDAR-based mapping provides highly accurate georeferenced data for urban development and forestry management.

2. Increased Deployment in Corridor Mapping
   LiDAR drones are increasingly utilized for surveying highways, railways, bridges, and shoreline infrastructure, especially in mountainous or dense landscapes. Their ability to generate high-resolution point clouds at lower operational costs makes them indispensable in modern infrastructure projects.

Information Source:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/lidar-drone-market-102602

Market Restraints

• Strict Aviation Regulations governing UAV operations.

• High Acquisition and Maintenance Costs compared to alternatives like photogrammetry.

• Shortage of Skilled Operators capable of handling long-range UAVs.

Market Trends

Next-Generation UAV LiDAR Sensors
Manufacturers are developing compact, lightweight, and high-resolution sensors integrated with navigation and positioning systems. Key innovations include optical altimeter-based systems and MEMS (micro-electromechanical systems) laser scanners, enhancing resolution, density, and mapping precision for government, industrial, and environmental projects.

Segmentation Insights

By Product

• Rotary-Wing Drones held the largest market share in 2020 and are projected to maintain dominance due to their cost-effectiveness, easy control, and widespread adoption in 3D mapping and corridor applications.

• Fixed-Wing Drones are expected to register the fastest growth, driven by rising demand for long-range detection, Beyond Line of Sight (BLOS) operations, and larger payload capacities.

By LiDAR Type

• Mechanical LiDAR dominated in 2020, widely adopted for 360-degree data detection across large areas.

• Solid-State LiDAR is projected to grow at the highest CAGR owing to its compact chip-based design, reduced cost, and ability to deliver superior resolution in precision agriculture and corridor mapping.

By Range

• Short-Range LiDAR accounted for the largest share in 2020, supported by strong adoption in low-altitude applications.

• Long-Range LiDAR is anticipated to grow at the fastest pace, benefiting from advancements in laser technology that enable accurate detection from higher altitudes.

By Application

• Mapping and Cartography dominated in 2020, driven by rising demand from infrastructure, agriculture, oil & gas, and energy utilities.

• Other applications include environment monitoring, surveillance, exploration and detection, and precision agriculture.

Regional Insights

• North America: Valued at USD 51.27 million in 2020, the region will continue to lead due to favorable drone regulations, strong R&D, and the presence of key players such as Velodyne Lidar, Phoenix LiDAR Systems, and LiDARUSA.

• Europe: The second-largest market, driven by demand for 3D image mapping and environmental monitoring, supported by leading manufacturers like Leica Geosystems, Delair, and YellowScan.

• Asia Pacific: Expected to witness the fastest growth owing to the strong presence of UAV and component manufacturers in China and India, alongside applications in agriculture and precision farming.

• Middle East & Africa: Moderate growth fueled by infrastructure development and increasing adoption in government projects.

• Rest of the World: Gradual growth supported by cost-effective drone surveys in Turkey, South Africa, and other regions.

Key Industry Players

Leading companies are investing heavily in R&D, partnerships, and acquisitions to expand their product portfolios and global presence. Major players include:

• 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)
• Yellow Scan (France)
• LiDARUSA (U.S.)
• SZ DJI Technology Co., Ltd (China)
• Benewake (Beijing) Co., Ltd. (China)
• RoboSense (China)
• Sick AG (Germany)
• Microdrones (Germany)

Recent Developments

• July 2021 – Microdrones completed a high-precision LiDAR survey in Minas Gerais, Brazil, covering a 10 km² mining complex containing three dams. The project was executed within a week, supporting risk analysis and demonstrating the efficiency of LiDAR drone technology in large-scale industrial applications.