The drone industry is booming, with a huge number of companies developing, manufacturing, and providing services. While some are best known for their consumer drones, others are creating more advanced technologies for businesses and military use. Some are developing autonomous drones and software that allow for more precise monitoring and recording, while others have found creative ways to deliver packages and other goods with the help of drones. Regardless of the specific application, all are finding new ways to make drone technology work for their customers and clients.
Insitu is a drone company that provides both hardware and software in the form of UAVs. Their hardware includes long-range, high-quality aerial imaging drones with RTK capabilities, GNSS base stations, and more. The company also develops drone-related software to analyze and process data that is collected by their drones. Among other products, Insitu makes the ScanEagle drone, which is capable of flying for up to 18 hours and carrying a payload of up to 11 lbs.
Embention is another drone company that manufactures UAVs to solve real-world problems. The company has developed a drone that can fly around the world in just two-and-a-half days, delivering medicine to patients in need. Their other drones are designed to withstand harsh environments and fly for long periods of time, making them ideal for agriculture assessment and oil or gas pipeline inspection.
Parrot is another well-known drone company that produces one of the most popular consumer camera drones, the ANAFI. In addition to its consumer products, the company works with the US Department of Defense to build short-range military reconnaissance aircraft. Parrot also designs and develops wireless devices such as smartphones, tablets, chipsets, and robots.
Skydio is the second largest drone manufacturer and top player in the commercial market, with their R1 and R2 models. They are known for combining cutting-edge hardware with easy-to-use software to create autonomous drones that can perform complex tasks without human intervention. Skydio’s drones are also powerful, with a variety of sensors and payloads that can be used for a wide range of applications.
Other notable drone companies include InvenSense, which is responsible for the motion sensors in many of today’s drones. The company’s technology is in use in drones like the DJI Mavic Pro, the Yuneec Typhoon Q, and the DJI Manifold. It also powers the vision system in the DJI Phantom 4 Pro and the Skydio 2 drone.
Drones are becoming a more common tool for construction companies, with the ability to quickly and accurately measure distances and provide 3D maps of a site. This has helped reduce the amount of labor needed to complete projects while also reducing safety risks for workers. It can also be used for inventory purposes, allowing builders to quickly calculate stockpile inventories to ensure they have the building materials required to complete a project.
Drones have also helped with disaster response, completing surveys of damaged areas and monitoring progress of restoration efforts. Companies like Red Cross are able to send life-saving medicines directly to those in need with the help of delivery drones. This is a particularly important application for drones, as it allows them to reach remote locations and deliver medical supplies when regular deliveries are impossible.