PUBLISHER: Roots Analysis | PRODUCT CODE: 1319264
PUBLISHER: Roots Analysis | PRODUCT CODE: 1319264
The global medical drones market is expected to grow at compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 15% during the forecast period.
Drones are becoming indispensable in the healthcare industry, serving various functions, such as delivering drugs, medical kits, vaccines, organs and surgical equipment. The timely delivery of critical medical resources has gradually prompted a wider adoption of medical delivery drones, mitigating logistical challenges and enhancing global healthcare distribution. Medical drones also act as first responders and aid disease control in medical emergencies. Additionally, medical drones offer numerous other benefits, including minimizing human error, reducing costs and improving patient outcomes. Furthermore, medical drones enhance healthcare accessibility by reaching secluded areas and providing vital healthcare resources to regions that face challenges in accessing quality care, thus promoting equity and inclusivity in healthcare provision. It is worth noting that, driven by the growing demand for faster delivery of medical supplies, the medical drones market is anticipated to witness substantial growth during the forecast period.
The research report presents an in-depth analysis, highlighting the capabilities of various stakeholders engaged in this market, across different geographies. Amongst other elements, the market report includes:
One of the key objectives of this market report was to estimate the current medical drone market size, opportunity and the future growth potential of the market, over the forecast period. We have provided informed estimates on the likely evolution of the market for the forecast period, 2023-2035. Additionally, historical trends of the market have also been presented for the time period, 2018-2022. Further, our year-wise projections of the current and forecasted opportunity have been further segmented based on relevant parameters, such as type of rotors (multi-rotor drones, fixed-wing drones, hybrid wing drones and single rotor drones), Payload Ranges (1-5 Kgs, 6-20 Kgs, 21-50 Kgs, 51-120 Kgs, 121-200 Kgs and >200 Kgs), type of medical supplies delivered (drugs, medical kits, vaccines, organs and surgical equipment, end-users (hospitals / pharmacies, diagnostic labs, government bodies and NGOs), company size (small, mid-sized and large) and key geographical regions North America (the US, Canada and rest of the North America), Europe (UK, Germany, France, Spain, Italy and rest of the Europe), Asia-Pacific (India, Japan, Russia, China, Australia and rest of the Asia-Pacific) and Middle East and North Africa. In order to account for future uncertainties associated with some of the key parameters and to add robustness to our model, we have provided three market forecast scenarios, namely conservative, base and optimistic scenarios, representing different tracks of the market growth.
The opinions and insights presented in the report were influenced by discussions held with stakeholders in this industry. The report features detailed transcripts of interviews held with industry stakeholders.
All actual figures have been sourced and analyzed from publicly available information forums and primary research discussions. Financial figures mentioned in this report are in USD, unless otherwise specified.
The Medical Drones Manufacturing Market: Distribution by Type of Rotors (Multi-Rotor Drones, Fixed-Wing Drones, Hybrid Wing Drones and Single Rotor Drones), Payload Ranges (1-5 Kgs, 6-20 Kgs, 21-50 Kgs, 51-120 Kgs, 121-200 Kgs and >200 Kgs), Type of Medical Supplies Delivered (Drugs, Medical Kits, Vaccines, Organs and Surgical Equipment), End-users (Hospitals / Pharmacies, Diagnostic Labs, Government Bodies and NGOs), Type of Automation (Fully Automated and Semi-Automated), Company Size (Small, Mid-sized and Large) and Key Geographical Regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Middle East and North Africa): Industry Trends and Global Forecasts, 2023-2035 report features an extensive study of the current market landscape, market size and future opportunities associated with the medical drones manufacturers market, during the given forecast period. Further, the market research report highlights the efforts of several stakeholders engaged in this rapidly emerging segment of the healthcare industry. Key takeaways of the medical drones market report are briefly discussed below.
The current market landscape features the presence of over 100 companies providing medical drones across various geographies. The market is well-fragmented, featuring the presence of established players and start-ups that possess the required expertise to deliver essential medical supplies. Majority of the companies are based in the US, followed by emerging players in the developing regions of Asia-Pacific. It is worth noting that multiple start-ups have emerged in the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Medical drones are emerging as a promising technology in healthcare for enhancing patient survival, outcomes and quality of life. Given the ongoing trends, the interest of various industry / non-industry stakeholders in medical drones is growing at a higher pace. These delivery drones can also be used as ambulance drones to deliver automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to patients experiencing cardiac arrest. One such example is the medical drone from Delft University; it is an ambulance drone to speed up emergency response, which can save fatalities and hasten recovery for a critical patient in the initial minutes of cardiac arrest, drowning, trauma and respiratory problems. Additionally, automated external defibrillator (AED), medication, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) can be supplied using Delft University's delivery drone in medical emergencies.
It is worth noting that such unmanned aerial vehicles also contribute to saving millions of lives by transporting vital medical supplies to remote or inaccessible areas. During the critical time of the COVID-19 pandemic, medical drones were used for the delivery of PPE kits, testing supplies and vaccines to remote areas. In March 2021, Zipline (a US based company) delivered more than 11,000 doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine in a few days in Ghana. In India, the Indian Council of Medical Research's Drone Response and Outreach in Northeast (i-Drone) delivered 900 doses of the COVID-19 vaccine in Manipur. As the benefits of medical drone technology for the improvement of healthcare delivery are realized, the medical drones market will witness significant market growth during the forecast period.
Integrating advanced technologies like AI and machine learning, medical drones can perform tasks, such as automated defibrillation, emergency medical response, and aerial surveillance during disasters. The AI detection system in the medical drones offered by Amazon is trained to detect people and animals from the sky, and further assist risks in real-time. Specialized medical drones are also equipped with telemedicine capabilities, diagnostic tools, and thermal imaging cameras enabling real-time monitoring and diagnosis of patients in remote as well as congested locations. As regulations evolve, medical drone deployment is expected to increase, improving healthcare accessibility, enhancing emergency response, and saving lives.
The heightened interest in the medical drones market can be validated by the fact that, in the last four years, more than USD 3 billion has been invested in companies engaged in manufacturing or those offering medical drones. The majority of the funds have been raised through venture rounds. In terms of the amount of funds raised, Zipline and Volocopter are the leading medical drone companies. The most recent funding round for Zipline was a series F funding in April 2023, in which the company raised nearly $330 million. For Germany-based Volocopter, the last funding round was a series E in November 2022, when the company raised $182 million. In addition to medical drones, both companies are actively working on the development of their electric passenger aircraft / air taxis. However, companies that are solely focused on delivery drones for medical delivery, such as Wingcopter, are also raising funds. The company announced an investment of $44 million from the European Investment Bank in May 2023. It is worth highlighting that the financial support from the venture capitalists will provide the much-needed funds required for the commercialization and evolution of drone technology, driving the medical drone market growth during the forecast period.
Several stakeholders involved in medical drone manufacturing have established collaborations with both industry and non-industry players, primarily for supply, distribution and technology integration. Notably, more than 100 strategic partnerships have been inked in the medical drone delivery market since 2019.
Owing to several advantages of medical drones in healthcare, the stakeholders are also signing purchase agreements with other players in order to expand their delivery services and build a comprehensive service portfolio. In April 2023, TSAW Drones partnered with Kanhaiya Life Care Medicine to initiate B2C medical drone delivery in Kolkata, India. Moreover, in January 2022, Wingcopter signed a commercial agreement with Spright to meet the increasing demand for medical drone delivery solutions throughout the US. It is also interesting to note the involvement of government bodies of various countries coming forward to put in efforts on incorporating medical drone delivery in their respective countries. One such well-known example is from Rwanda, Africa; the Government of Rwanda inked a partnership deal with Zipline for medical delivery across new sites in both rural and urban localities of Africa.
The field of medical drones encounters critical challenges that must be addressed to ensure its effective implementation. Integrating medical drones into existing healthcare systems and infrastructure presents logistical hurdles such as airspace management, secure data transmission, and coordination with on-ground healthcare professionals. Additionally, ensuring the reliability, durability, and resilience of medical drones in diverse environmental conditions and technical contingencies is paramount. Moreover, building public trust and acceptance requires proactive education and awareness campaigns to alleviate privacy concerns and foster widespread adoption. Overcoming these challenges is imperative to successfully integrate medical drones into healthcare landscape, ultimately enhancing patient care and accessibility.
Examples of drone companies serving the healthcare industry (which have also been captured in this report) include AeroEnvoy, Amazon, Ehang, Matternet, Skyports, Swoop Aero, Volocopter, Wingcopter and Zipline. This market report also includes an easily searchable excel database of all medical drone companies worldwide.
The data presented in this report has been gathered via secondary and primary research. For all our projects, we conduct interviews / surveys with experts in the area (academia, industry, medical practice and other associations) to solicit their opinions on emerging trends in the market. This is primarily useful for us to draw out our own opinion on how the market will evolve across different regions and technology segments. Wherever possible, the available data has been checked for accuracy from multiple sources of information.
While the focus has been on forecasting the market till 2035, the report also provides our independent view on various technological and non-commercial trends emerging in the industry. This opinion is solely based on our knowledge, research and understanding of the relevant market gathered from various secondary and primary sources of information.
Answer: A medical drone is an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) specifically designed and equipped to provide healthcare-related services.
Answer: Yes, medical drones are commercially available and used for medical purposes.
Answer: Medical drones can carry medical supplies such as first aid kits, defibrillators, blood products, and even organs for transplants. They are designed to transport these medical resources swiftly and safely to remote or hard-to-reach areas, especially in emergency situations where timely delivery is critical.
Answer: The speed of medical drones can vary depending on various factors, such as their design, payload capacity, weather conditions and regulatory restrictions imposed by the specific location or jurisdiction. Many medical drones have the capability to fly at speeds ranging from 40 to 80 kilometers per hour (25 to 50 miles per hour).
Answer: The global medical drones market is currently driven by an increase in demand for healthcare access to remote areas and faster medical deliveries to hospitals or during an emergency.
Answer: The global medical drones market is estimated to be worth USD XX million in 2023.
Answer: In terms of the type of rotor, the multi-rotor currently accounts for the largest market share (close to 50%) of the global medical drones market.
Answer: Presently, the medical drones market is dominated by Asia-Pacific, capturing more than 30% of the overall market size.
Answer: The medical drones market is projected to grow at an annualized rate (CAGR) of around 15%, during the forecast period 2023-2035.
Answer: At present, more than 95 companies are engaged in manufacturing medical drones. Examples of top / leading companies engaged in this market (which have also been captured in this report) include Zipline, Amazon, ProDrone, Volocopter, Meituan, Airbus, L3Harris, Qualcomm, Falck, DJI, SABCA and Autel Robotics.
Answer: The main concern with medical drones is the high economical cost, along with maintenance charges. Some of the other hurdles include battery life, uncertain weather conditions, and payload capacity.
Answer: Drone delivery usually costs varies depending on the type of industry where it has been used. However, the average cost of drone delivery would cost from $500-$1500.