Drones & Aerial
Fixed-wing and multirotor UAVs for inspection, mapping, delivery, agriculture, and surveillance. The fastest-growing category in commercial robotics.
$54B
Market by 2030
-80%
Cost vs manned
10x
Inspection speed
Who uses it: Infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, package delivery, security, construction, filmmaking
How to choose a drones & aerial robot ↓
FAA Part 107
Commercial drone operation in the US requires FAA Part 107 certification for the pilot. Budget $300 and 20 hours of study. Without it, you cannot legally operate commercially.
Payload vs Flight Time
Every gram of payload reduces flight time. A drone rated for 30 minutes empty may only fly 18 minutes with a thermal camera. Always test with your actual payload.
Weatherproofing
Most consumer drones cannot fly in rain or high wind. Commercial operations need IP43+ rating minimum. Budget for weather delays — outdoor drone operations average 60-70% availability.
Data Processing
The drone captures data. Processing it into actionable intelligence (3D models, thermal reports, crop health maps) requires software and expertise. Budget for post-processing, not just the aircraft.