Global Commercial Drone Revenue to Hit $8.7 Billion Annually by 2025, Tractica Says

Revenue from global commercial drone-enabled services such as filming and entertainment, mapping, data collection and analytics and package delivery will reach $8.7 billion annually by 2025, up from $170 million in 2015, market research firm Tractica said in a Monday news release. Managing Director Clint Wheelock said that "most commercial applications for drones are related to aerial imaging or data analysis, taking advantage of low-cost components and ever-increasing sensor capabilities.” Despite the presence of regulatory and business barriers, he said, business models and policy frameworks "continue to be refined" globally, making the path ahead for commercial drone usage "clearer." Privacy advocates and industry are expected to come to agreement on voluntary drone privacy recommendations (see 1604280066).