Drone Industry Insights put out a snapshot of the North American drone market, covering Canada, the U.S., and Mexico and their use of drones. Here’s a summary of the snapshot. You can view the full article on their website. 

According to the report and other Drone Industry Insights research, the North American drone market is forecast to surpass $12.2 billion by 2030. Each country has different areas of use for drones:

• Canada: Offers unique applications for drones in environmental monitoring, forest management, and maritime surveillance.

• United States: Drones are set to revolutionize urban management and emergency response, especially in densely populated areas

• Mexico: A prime opportunity is for drones to enhance agricultural efficiency and precision farming, significantly impacting its predominant farming sector

Drone Market Composition

The North American drone market is dominated by small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with almost 80% of companies having fewer than 50 employees. While 40% of companies in the market are drone service providers, the market is diverse, including companies specializing in training, education, engineering, integration, software, and internal drone use. Approximately 15% of companies focus on hardware, covering drone manufacturing, components, and integration.

The market also features a strong educational component, including university programs focused on drone technology.

Priorities and Challenges

The top priorities for drone companies in North America are marketing and sales, followed by staff development. This reflects the advanced stage of product development in both hardware and software, making effective marketing crucial. Software development as well as finances and funding rank equally as the third priority.

In terms of challenges, the key concerns for North American drone companies are 

1. Regulation

2. Public acceptance

3. Domestic politics

4. Inflation 

Survey respondents stressed the complexity of navigating evolving FAA regulations and international constraints. Market perception and client education were highlighted, especially in understanding the sophisticated data drones provide. The presence of unqualified service providers affects the industry's reputation, and operational challenges like supply chain disruptions and competition with larger players are also significant hurdles.

Optimistic Skies

The North American drone market is experiencing a notable increase in optimism, with confidence levels rising from 6.3 in 2022 to 7.2 in 2023, surpassing the global average. This positive outlook aligns with advancements in regulatory frameworks, emphasizing the region's commitment to fostering a conducive environment for drone technology growth and innovation. 

The combination of growing confidence and regulatory progress positions North America as not only a market leader but also a visionary in the global drone landscape. 

Want more focused industrial drone industry insights? See our recap of Hendrik Bödecker‘s presentation at the 2023 Energy Drone & Robotics Summit where he covered the global drone market.