The construction industry is experiencing rapid expansion, and the significance of technology is growing at all levels. A construction drone is a tool classified as an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). Due to its numerous benefits, including real-time data collection, accurate image capture, and accessibility to hazardous areas, construction drones are increasingly being utilized for surveying, mapping, and infrastructure inspection. In addition, they can be operated remotely or on-site through remote control and batteries.
Construction sites employ drones to secure and monitor materials, people, and equipment to guarantee workplace safety and security. A construction drone can either be operated manually or autonomously. Drones in construction are expected to rise rapidly over the next decade. The market for construction drones will grow dramatically due to an increase in residential and nonresidential construction operations worldwide due to exponential population growth and rapid urbanization.
The rapid urbanization that has come from population increase in developing and developed countries, such as India, China, Mexico, Brazil, France, the United Kingdom, and the United States, is expected to spur expansion in the building and infrastructure sectors. In May 2018, the UN published a report titled "The 2018 Revision of World Urbanization Prospects." According to this prediction, 68% of the world's population will live in urban areas by 2050. Global residential construction activity is predicted to expand, necessitating surveying, monitoring, and surveillance at construction sites. This will probably promote market expansion for construction drones throughout the forecast year.
Additionally, investments in residential and commercial construction activities have a good relationship with the market for construction drones. The building of homes and commercial complexes is increasing due to rising disposable income and demand for comfortable lodging. For instance, the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a study on disposable household income in 2020. In comparison to 2017, the gross disposable household income in the UK increased by 4.6% in 2018. This is expected to accelerate the growth of the construction drone market in the coming years.
The most significant competitors in the construction drone market are always looking to develop new technologies and features to improve their product offerings. Infrared imaging, artificial intelligence, geographic information systems, Internet of Things (IoT), and GPS are just a few of drones' cutting-edge technologies. For instance, in October 2019, the California-based Trimble Inc. created a GNSS board specially designed for Trimble UAS1, enabling satellite-based location. Such technological advancements are anticipated to provide lucrative opportunities for expanding the global construction drone market during the forecasted period.
Asia-Pacific will command the market, expanding at a CAGR of 18% during the forecast period. During the forecast period, an increase in government spending on infrastructure and development projects is expected to contribute to the growth of the Asia-Pacific construction drone market. The National Smart Towns Mission (NSCM), which the Indian government announced in 2015, seeks to build 100 smart cities by 2023. Moreover, according to the New York-based publication Bloomberg, Japan invested USD 367 billion in Southeast Asian infrastructure projects in 2019, including those in Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and the Philippines.
The expansion of the market for construction drones in Asian nations is anticipated to be driven by a rise in residential and nonresidential building activity. According to a report published in October 2019 by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), China's infrastructure spending increased by 4.2% from January to August 2019 compared to the same period in 2018. In addition, according to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's real estate investment increased by 9.9% in 2019 compared to 2018. These conditions are anticipated to stimulate the construction drone market during the forecast period.
North America will likely account for USD 3,582 million by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 12.35%. The increased demand for construction drones in North America can be attributed to the increase in infrastructure projects and residential and nonresidential construction activities. In September 2020, for instance, the US Census Bureau will publish a report on construction expenditures. This study indicates that between January and July of 2020, construction spending increased by approximately 4.0% compared to the same period in 2019. This is anticipated to have a substantial positive impact on the market for construction drones during the forecast period.
The United States has recently witnessed an increase in infrastructure and residential and commercial construction. In 2019, for instance, the United States Federal Government invested USD 29 billion in transportation and infrastructure. Additionally, data from the Federal Reserve Bank shows that between February 2019 and February 2020, the total amount spent by the US government on construction increased by 8.8%. These factors are anticipated to fuel the growth of the construction drone market in the region during the forecasted year.