Global LiDAR Market Opportunities and Forecast 2023-2030

LiDAR Market Overview

Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) is a remote sensing technology which measures scattered light to find information and the range of a distant target. The two main types of LiDAR include Airborne LiDAR that includes topographic and bathymetric LiDAR and Terrestrial LiDAR which includes mobile LiDAR and short-range LiDAR. Lidar, which stands for Light Detection and Ranging, is a remote sensing method that uses light in the form of a pulsed laser to measure ranges (variable distances) to the Earth. Therefore, the growing use of such technologies may boost the growth of the global LiDAR market significantly.
 
The increasing demand for 3D imagery in several sectors such as construction, power transmission, transportation and defense, and aerospace is the key factor boosting the global LiDAR market globally. Furthermore, the LiDAR technology offers widespread time and cost-saving capabilities that increased its adoption, and therefore, the technology is preferred over traditional mapping methods. As well, LiDAR technology has replaced photogrammetry because of its comparative advantages over photogrammetry in terms of light independence and high accuracy. All these key aspects are remarkably propelling the growth of the global LiDAR market.
 
Moreover, LiDAR stations are useful in monitoring various types of weather changes. These stations play an important role in environmental monitoring. This factor further creates several growth opportunities for the LiDAR market. In addition, automotive companies are investing immensely in LiDAR technologies. The arrival of self-drive technologies across the world may bring lucrative growth opportunities for the LiDAR market.

On the downside, complexity in LiDAR data interpretation due to lack of standardization is one of the major factors that restrain the growth of the global LiDAR market.

Covid-19 Impact on LiDAR Market

As the COVID-19 pandemic continuing its effect around the world, many defense and aerospace companies are facing its impact during this time around the world. For instance, commercial aviation companies in the U.S., France, Germany, and Canada are facing disruption in the production process and reduced demand as workforces staying at home, passengers stop traveling, and delay in delivery of new aircraft. Analysts expecting a drop from 3,000 to 4,000 aircraft during the pandemic period. On the defense side, contractors operating in the sector are in a better position, hence the impact of the pandemic is likely low in the short to mid-term. However, low demand due to budget constraints affecting the production as in aircraft manufacturing.
 
LiDAR Market Segment Overview
 
Based on the Application, the Coastal segment dominated the global LiDAR market. The main use of LiDAR in coastal applications is for disaster management and control in disaster-prone coastal areas. Additionally, the Transmission Lines segment is anticipated to experience the fastest growth during the forecast period. The high adoption of LiDAR technology in the power sector is rising as power utilities are increasingly incorporating LiDAR technology in laying out and setting up transmission lines. Furthermore, the adoption of LiDAR is also projected to surge in transportation, infrastructure, and defense and aerospace end-user segments.
 
LiDAR Market, By Product Type
·       Airborne
·       Terrestrial
 
LiDAR Market, By Application
·       Coastal
·       Forestry
·       Infrastructure
·       Defense and Aerospace
·       Flood Mapping
·       Transportation
·       Transmission Lines

LiDAR Market Regional Overview

In terms of region, North America dominated the global LiDAR market. Factors such as huge research and development spending to carrying innovations in the LiDAR technology and high penetration in defense and military due to support from the government are fuelling the growth of the market in this region.. Similarly, Europe is the second-largest region for the LiDAR market. A large number of key players are supporting the market’s growth to meet the demand of a large consumer base in this region. On the other hand, the market in the Asia Pacific region is projected to expand at a significant rate during the forecast period.
 
LiDAR Market, By Geography
 
·       North America (US & Canada)
·       Europe (UK, Germany, France, Italy, Spain, Russia & Rest of Europe)
·       Asia-Pacific (Japan, China, India, Australia, & South Korea, & Rest of Asia-Pacific)
·       LAMEA (Brazil, Saudi Arabia, UAE & Rest of LAMEA)
 
LiDAR Market Competitor overview

Some key developments and strategies adopted by manufacturers in LiDAR are highlighted below.

·       In August 2021, SPH Engineering has released a lidar toolset update to UgCS — the company’s UAV mission planning and flight control software. The lidar toolset is designed to eliminate human error in remote sensing.

·       In August 2021, Apple wins three ‘Project Titan’ patents covering advanced LiDAR systems for autonomous vehicles. The US Patent and Trademark Office officially published a series of Project Titan patents or Apple Inc. Two of the key patents cover LiDAR systems. The first patent covers predicting LiDAR data using machine learning which is currently being used in Apple’s autonomous training vehicles. The second patent covers enabling LiDAR detection on autonomous vehicles. The third patent covers a multi-stage active suspension actuator.
 
LiDAR Market, Key Players

·       3D Laser Mapping Ltd.
·       Aerometric Inc.
·       Avent Lidar Technology
·       Airborne Hydrography AB
·       DigitalWorld Mapping Inc.
·       Firmatek 3D Mapping Solutions LLC
·       FARO Technology, Inc.
·       Intermap Technologies Corp.
·       Leica Geosystems AG
·       Mosaic 3D
·       Optech Incorporated
·       RIEGL Laser Measurement Systems GmbH