Artificial intelligence and robotics usage has been rising in various industries due to the increasing success rate of missions accomplished utilizing such technologies. The introduction of Sector 4.0 has paved the way for advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, both of which support the industry by incorporating new technology into robots utilized in various aerospace applications. In commercial aviation, AI and robotics are being developed to automate airport operations and perform aircraft surveillance activities to better plan operations. Also, AI is being implemented in the MRO sector to boost the efficiency of maintenance operations.
Nevertheless, with the increased reliability of AI-based systems, various firms in the aerospace and defense sector and governments are boosting their investments in the AI and robotics business. Such investments are predicted to help the participants to spend more on R&D, allowing the companies to develop consistently and create more efficiency. Advanced AI and robotic technologies enhance the prospects of the researched market.
There is a rising emphasis on developing AI systems that enable autonomous operations in the aviation sector. Several aerospace applications, including aircraft maintenance, aircraft health, performance monitoring, airport operations, and pilot training, have incorporated AI to varying degrees. Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry participants are anticipated to take steps to increase their adoption of AI and Machine Learning technologies now that a new road map for the safe and ethical operation of AI is in place.
In the previous two decades, the defense industry has been one of the primary adopters of AI technologies. Artificial intelligence is gradually expanding in intelligence collection and analysis, logistics, cyber operations, information operations, command and control, and a range of semiautonomous and autonomous vehicles. Autonomy based on AI concepts is currently implemented in varying degrees on military aircraft. ISR systems, targeting technology, and autonomous drones use AI-based technologies. It is anticipated that incorporating AI into traditional combat networks' architecture will improve present systems' performance. With the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) sector set to boost its use of next-generation technologies in the following years, AI will likely drive the autonomy of platforms in the coming decades. Consequently, the usage of AU technologies is anticipated to increase, boosting market expansion.
Numerous research and development programs worldwide focus on using artificial intelligence in the aerospace industry, including air traffic control. Authorities in the aviation industry are currently concentrating on eliminating ethical and safety concerns by incorporating AI in such operations. EASA issued version 1.0 of its Artificial Intelligence Roadmap in 2020, establishing the agency's initial perspective on the safety and ethical dimensions of AI development in the aviation domain. Eurocontrol, the European agency responsible for coordinating and planning all air traffic control, has issued a plan to accelerate the development of artificial intelligence in aviation and air traffic management (ATM). Such occurrences present the profit potential for the market.
North America is the largest shareholder in the global artificial intelligence and robotics in aerospace and defense market and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 9.5% during the forecast period. The region's aerospace industry is primarily driven by the United States' large aviation base. The presence of large aerospace and defense companies in the country also facilitates the development and integration of advanced robotics and AI systems in manufacturing, maintenance, repair, and other commercial and defense-related applications. SkyGrid, a joint venture between Boeing and SparkCognition, revealed intentions to deploy an AI-powered cybersecurity system on drones in January 2021. Instead of a rules-based heuristics approach, the DeepArmor software employs advanced AI models to protect various endpoints against potential zero-day threats. The solution is designed for both civilian and military UAVs. Such advancements provide a bright picture for North America's aerospace and military sector to adopt disruptive technologies such as AI and robots during the projection period.
Asia-Pacific is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.3%, generating USD 15.3 billion during the forecast period. Asia-Pacific is anticipated to experience the greatest increase in the adoption of AI and ML technologies as OEMs and operators increase their investment in AI integration processes throughout the supply chain. Japan, South Korea, and China have emerged as the most innovative nations in AI development and integration. Numerous regional institutes research advanced AI applications in the aviation industry. Numerous Asia-Pacific aircraft and component production facilities have reaped benefits from implementing AI technologies. AI-related innovations are fueling the expansion of the regional market.
The global artificial intelligence and robotics in aerospace and defense market’s major key players are Airbus SE, IBM, Boeing Company, Nvidia Corporation, General Electric, Thales Group, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Intel Corporation, Iris Automation Inc., and SITA.