DroneDeploy Study: Quadcopters Outpace Fixed-Wing Drones in Commercial Market
A recent study by DroneDeploy, a company that provides software and systems for commercial and industrial drone use, has revealed a significant shift in the drone market. While fixed-wing drones, known for their longer endurance and ability to cover larger areas, were initially seen as promising, they are now lagging behind quadcopters in popularity.
The study found that quadcopters are used pervasively in commercial and industrial applications, accounting for the majority of drone flights. This is primarily due to their ease of operation and rapid takeoff capabilities. As explained by DroneDeploy CEO Mike Winn, operators prefer the convenience of flying a quadcopter multiple times over a large area or switching batteries, rather than the time-consuming process of assembling a fixed-wing drone.
Despite this trend, fixed-wing drone manufacturers have responded by developing quadcopters or other multi-rotor models to cater to the market demand.
The report also highlights the rapid growth of the drone market overall. Commercial and industrial users mapped 3 million acres of land in just four months, a significant increase compared to the previous year. Agriculture remains the leading industry adopting drones, followed by construction. However, the fastest growth is seen in mining, inspection, and oil and gas. New industries are also embracing drone technology, including education, emergency services, and real estate.
The most popular drone hardware brands in the market are DJI, SenseFly, 3DR, AgEagle, and Parrot, while DJI, Canon, Sony, GoPro, and Mapir dominate the drone-camera technology segment.
DroneDeploy’s study, which is based on data from its customers in 130 countries over the past 16 months, provides valuable insights into the evolving dynamics of the commercial and industrial drone market.
