The global medical drone market size was USD 194.7 million in 2020. The global impact of COVID-19 has been unprecedented and staggering, with medical drones witnessing a positive demand shock across all regions amid the pandemic. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a stellar growth of 30.8% in 2020 as compared to the average year-on-year growth during 2017-2019. The market is projected to grow from USD 254.7 million in 2021 to USD 1,410.9 million in 2028 at a CAGR of 27.70% in the 2021-2028 period. Medical drones, also known as medical delivery drones, are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that are designed to transport medical supplies, equipment, and even human organs to remote or hard-to-reach locations

Information Source: 

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/medical-drone-market-105805

Medical drones have the potential to revolutionize the way medical supplies are transported, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure or where access to medical supplies is limited.

Medical drones can be used to deliver a wide range of medical supplies, including vaccines, blood products, medication, medical equipment, and diagnostic tests. They can be programmed to fly autonomously or operated remotely by a human pilot. In either case, medical drones are equipped with GPS technology, cameras, and sensors that allow them to navigate and avoid obstacles.

 List of Key Players Profiled in Medical Drone Industry Report

• Zipline Inc. (San Francisco, United States)
• Volocopter GmbH (Bruchsal, Germany)
• Volansi Inc. (San Francisco,United States)
• Matternet Inc. (Mountain View, United States)
• Manna Drone Delivery Inc. (Dublin, Ireland)
• Flytrex Aviation Ltd. (Tel Aviv, Israel)
• Flirtey Holdings Inc. (Reno, United States)
• Vayu Inc. (Ypsilanti, United States)
• Skyports Ltd. (Billericay, United Kingdom)
• Ebre Drone LLC (Tarragona, Spain)
• Swoop Aero Pty. Ltd. (Docklands, Australia)
• Skyfarer Ltd. (Coventry, United Kingdom)

Medical drones offer several advantages over traditional modes of medical supply transportation. For example, they can travel much faster than ground transportation, which can be critical in emergency situations. Medical drones also have the potential to reduce the risk of contamination and spoilage of medical supplies, as they can transport them directly from the source to the destination without the need for intermediate handling.

One of the most promising applications of medical drones is the transport of human organs for transplantation. Currently, human organs are transported by commercial airlines or ground transportation, which can take several hours and increase the risk of organ damage or spoilage. Medical drones offer a potentially faster and safer alternative for transporting organs, as they can fly directly to the destination and avoid the delays and potential damage associated with traditional transportation methods.

Driving Factor

High Demand for Drones in Healthcare Applications to Propel Market Growth

The increasing demand for monitoring and surveillance of public areas and the advent of new logistical alternatives than the conventional supply chain modes is propelling governments worldwide to invest in medical drone technology. Moreover, in this pandemic situation, human contact has been suspected to be a vehicle of viral transmission. Thus drone technology is a clear winner in this situation. Thus, there has emerged an urgent need for contactless and efficient technology. For instance, in October 2019, the UPS Flight Forward Inc. has received U.S. government approval with the Federal Aviation Administration's and standard certification to exercise drone airline operations. In response, the company launched its first drone delivery flight at WakeMed Hospital in Raleigh, NC, by using a quadcopter Matternet M2. These factors are driving the medical drone market growth.

Market Segmentation:

By type, the market is segmented into fixed-wing, rotary-wing, and hybrid. Technology is divided into fully autonomous, semi-autonomous, and remotely operated. By the package size, it is trifurcated into <2 KG, 2-5 KG, and 5 KG <. On the basis of its service, it is divided into hospital-based, independent, and government. Based on its logistical application, it is divided into emergency blood logistics, medicinal drugs logistics, medical equipment logistics, surgical equipment logistics, vaccine logistics, emergency organ logistics, and emergency ambulatory support. By End-user, it is segmented into emergency medical services, blood banks, hospitals, and others.

Finally, based on region, the market is categorized into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East & Africa.

However, there are also several challenges associated with the use of medical drones. One of the biggest challenges is regulatory approval, as medical drones are subject to strict regulations by aviation authorities and healthcare regulators. There are also concerns around safety and privacy, particularly if medical drones are operated in densely populated areas or over private property.

What does the Report Provide?

The market report for medical drone provides a detailed analysis of several factors such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies to introduce new products, announce partnerships, and collaborate to contribute to the growth of this market.

Despite these challenges, medical drones have the potential to revolutionize the way medical supplies are transported, particularly in areas with poor infrastructure or limited access to medical supplies. As technology continues to advance, the use of medical drones is likely to become more widespread, and could potentially save countless lives by improving access to vital medical supplies.

Regional Insights

North America to Dominate Backed by Increasing Number of Registered Drones

• North America is expected to remain at the forefront and hold the highest position in this market during the forecast period owing to a large number of drones, i.e., around 872,694 drones that are registered for use under Federal Aviation Administration (FAA,) in 2021. The region’s market stood at USD 79.88 million in 2020.
• Asia Pacific is expected to showcase significant medical drone market share during the forecast period owing to the high adoption rate and investment by OEMs and governments. Furthermore, the presence of the OEMs in the region, such as DJI, and global players such as Zipline.
• The Middle East is anticipated to be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period.

Competitive Landscape

Key Players to Focus on Partnerships to Strengthen Their Market Positions

This market is consolidated by major companies striving to maintain their position by focusing on new launches, partnerships, and agreements. For instance, in February 2021, the Government of Kaduna State, in Nigeria, signed a medical delivery agreement with Zipline for airdropped COVID-19 Vaccine shipment as it would have reduced the dependency of the state to invest in the cold chain storage. Furthermore, this agreement is expected to pave the way for enhanced services such as on-demand blood products, medications, and other vaccines.