Aerial Imaging Market

Aerial imaging, also known as aerial photography, involves capturing images from the air using various platforms such as fixed-wing aircraft, rotary craft, or drones. Unlike oblique photos taken at an angle, vertical photos are captured with the camera pointed straight down. The earliest known aerial photo, dating back to the late 19th century, depicted a French village. Since then, aerial imaging technologies have evolved significantly, enabling the acquisition of high-resolution images and geographical data. These technologies find applications across diverse sectors including construction, urban planning, agriculture, environmental monitoring, and defense. Aerial imaging has revolutionized the process of mapping and surveying, offering a more efficient alternative to labor-intensive ground surveys conducted by national mapping bodies during the 19th century.

Aerial imagery encompasses more than just capturing pictures from the air; it involves careful planning and consideration to ensure that the data collected is suitable for the intended applications. Aerial surveys require meticulous attention to detail to accurately extrapolate the required information. These surveys enable the visualization and mapping of inaccessible or hard-to-reach areas, providing valuable insights for various industries.

Key Players:

• Aero-Metric, Inc (United States)
• Cooper Aerial Surveys Co. (United States)
• Digital Aerial Solutions, LLC. (United States)
• Eagle Aerial Solutions (United States)
• EagleView Technologies, Inc. (United States)
• Fugro EarthData (United States)
• Fugro N.V. (Netherlands)
• GeoVantage, Inc. (United States)
• Google Inc (United States)
• Kucera International, Inc. (United States)
• Landiscor Aerial Information (United States)
• Landiscor Real Estate Mapping (United States)
• Nearmap Ltd (United States)
• NRC Group ASA (Norway)

Market Segmentation:

By Platform:

Aircraft

Rotary craft

Drone

By Type:

Vertical aerial photographs

Low oblique aerial photographs

High oblique aerial photographs

By Source:

Getmapping

Hexagon Geosystems

Nearmap

OpenAerialMap

Vexcel Imaging

By Application:

Agriculture

Irrigation

Construction

Defense

Environmental monitoring

Infrastructure

Market Dynamics:

Driver:

The growing need for precise geospatial data for environmental monitoring, infrastructure development, and urban planning is driving the adoption of aerial imaging systems. Photogrammetry, the science and technology of creating topographic maps from aerial photography, plays a crucial role in generating accurate geospatial data. Aerial imagery enables the creation of topographic maps, measuring distances between objects, and analyzing photographic images to gather information about physical objects and their surroundings. This data is invaluable for various applications such as geological and archaeological research, reconnaissance surveys, and topographical mapping.

Restraints:

Despite its numerous advantages, aerial imaging also faces several challenges. One of the key challenges is obtaining clear and crisp images, particularly when capturing images from moving aircraft. The exposure period of the camera must be brief enough to capture images without motion blur caused by the aircraft's movement. Additionally, there are optical and mechanical challenges in lens design for aerial imaging, including achieving high resolution and color correction for multispectral and hyperspectral imaging. Weather conditions can also affect the quality of aerial images, and distinguishing land features hidden by surrounding elements such as trees can be challenging.

Opportunity:

Exploring new applications for drones in sectors such as insurance, telecommunications, and mining is expanding the addressable market for aerial imaging. Drones equipped with specialized sensors and cameras can collect data, track changes in land use, monitor wildlife populations, and evaluate the state of infrastructure. As technology advances, drones are becoming more accessible and versatile, opening up new opportunities for aerial photography. Customized aerial imaging services tailored to the specific requirements of industries such as disaster relief, forestry, and animal monitoring are also gaining traction. With changing weather patterns and population trends, aerial photography has become essential for industries such as agriculture, enabling more efficient farming operations from planning to harvesting.

Recent Industry Insight:

• In March 2022, Jacobs announced its provision of cutting-edge aerial digital imagery to Intelinair, showcasing the growing importance of aerial imaging in various industries.
• In November 2020, Sony launched a drone project, highlighting the increasing role of drones in diverse sectors.

Recent Acquisition and Merger:

• In January 2020, Vexcel Imaging acquired image survey expertise and data assets from Verisk, enhancing its capabilities in aerial imaging.
• In March 2023, a revolutionary 3D mapping system for aerial image acquisition was developed, marking a significant advancement in imaging technology.
• In December 2021, DroneBase acquired AirProbe, a leader in artificial intelligence for solar energy system inspections, demonstrating the integration of AI in aerial imaging applications.
• In February 2020, a UK company acquired German drone start-up, ucair, illustrating the consolidation and expansion of the drone industry.

Key Target Audience:

End Users

Potential Investors

New Entrants

Innovation and R&D

Suppliers and Manufacturers

Others