Drones are widely seen as recreational gadgets that are
sent into the sky to take impressive aerial photos and high-definition movies.
Although they are widely used for entertainment purposes, our study shows that
there are also a number of business applications for drones in various
industries, resulting in a significant potential market whose growth can be
expected exponentially. As an advisor, this is a particularly attractive aspect
of emerging technologies: how can they be used to increase the efficiency of
our clients' operations? Finding the answer to this question is the reason why
PwC willingly participated in this study and is pleased to share the results.
Drone photo and video capabilities are widely used in the media, entertainment
and in the public and private security sector; however, applications are much
broader when drones equipped with sensors are combined with data and analysis,
and machine learning to use a huge amount of drone information.
This
combination opens the use of drones for industries such as power generation,
utilities, logistics and agriculture, enabling data capture and analysis in a
way that was previously difficult or impossible. Drone technology has far
surpassed human intervention for faster, easier and cheaper data collection.
At
an estimated market value of EUR 409 million, the potential of drones in Belgium
is undeniable. There is a sharp increase in the Belgian drone ecosystem, and
players define their role in the value chain and look for ways to meet users'
needs. Some focus on hardware and software, while others offer "drones as
a service." They all act as catalysts for the implementation of drones in
our economic landscape. They enable bridging the gap between business and drone
technology, playing an important role in accelerating the use of drones in
commercial applications. Although the basic principles
