Search and Rescue Robots Market Research Report: Information by Operation (Autonomous and Remotely Operated), Platform (Land, Maritime, and Airborne), and Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America)—Forecast till 2030

Search and Rescue Robots Market Overview

Search and Rescue Robots Market Size Valued at USD 59,163.9 Million, market Grow at a CAGR Of 18.2% by 2020 -2030

The Search and Rescue Robots are a cutting-edge technology that enables rescuers to quickly locate people inside damaged structures, collect catastrophe data, detect hazardous materials and operate in hazardous environments, as well as offer first aid supplies. Robots and drones for search and rescue missions could be more affordable, compact, intelligent, and adaptable. As the incorporation of artificial intelligence with robotics enables the process of locating victims and sources of threat to be automated. In the near future, robots may patrol the ocean or air without human intervention. Significant expenditures in robots, software, and componentry to create and develop new drones that are more robust and nimble and capable of being deployed in hostile environments have been the key technology developments affecting the market globally.

COVID-19 Analysis

According to MRFR, the current projections of global search and rescue robots market growth till 2027 are expected to be lower than pre-COVID-19 estimates. This is because the pandemic has had a devastating negative impact on the aviation, defense, and maritime industry across the world. In the defense industry, due to a decrease in tax revenues with a decrease in GDP, it is also expected to decrease the demand for new aircraft, naval vessels,ground vehicles, and related systems for defense applications in the next few years. This is also expected to decrease the demand for search and rescue robots.

Many governments across the globe are focused on controlling COVID-19 outbreaks in their countries. Hence, they are investing more in healthcare equipment and the development of vaccines. Therefore, the defense expenditures on new systems are expected to be lower in the next few years. However, the defense expenditure is expected to increase gradually during the forecast period after the pandemic ends.

Thus, it is expected that the global search and rescue robots market will grow at a slower rate in 2021 and 2022; from 2023, it will grow gradually.

Market Dynamics

Drivers

• Increasing Defense Expenditures

Globally, military spending has increased significantly in recent years. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military expenditure rose by 2.6% to approximately USD 1.82 trillion from 2017 to 2019. The increase indefense expenditure is expected to boost the demand for advanced search and rescue robots.

Factors such as ongoing conflicts in the Middle East & Africa, long-standing tensions among the US and China, the US and Iran, India and Pakistan, South Korea and North Korea, territorial disputes between countries in Asia-Pacific, and a focus on counterterrorism activities are pushing governments to strengthen their defense capabilities. Moreover, a rise in military spending directly boosts the growth of the defense equipment industry, which covers everything from aircraft and weapons to search and rescue robots.

Opportunities

• Increased Focus on Military Modernization

The governments of the countries such as the US, China, India, France, Brazil, Iran, and Israel are planning on implementing advanced systems to tackle increasingly complicated combat operations. Moreover, authorities in these countries are conducting extensive research to develop advanced technologies and have extensively invested in military modernization programs. Thus, the high investments in military modernization programs are also expected to increase the demand for search and rescue robots.

Restraints

• Limited Operational Range

Most of the operational robots are electrically powered by batteries. However, one of the key challenges with these electric-powered robots is their extremely limited battery lives and range. As a result, these robots are not suitable for long-distance operations. For example, the currently available battery technology for drones allows for a flight duration of less than an hour, and some drones have an endurance of as low as 10–20 minutes. Thus, the limited endurance of robots is expected to restrict the growth of the global search and rescue robots market during the forecast period.

Cumulative Growth Analysis

Introduction of Advanced Autonomous Robots to Bolster Market’s Growth Rate

The global search and rescue robots market growth is expected to be at a rate of 18.2% over the analysis period (between 2021 and 2027), on account of the introduction of advanced autonomous robots.

Segment Overview

High Safety to Bolster Demand for Autonomous Robots

The global search and rescue robots market based on operation has been segmented into autonomous and remotely operated. The high potential of autonomous robots to improve operations and offer new opportunities to increase productivity, decrease cost, reduce risk, and improve data collection is anticipated to increase the utilization of autonomous robots in hazardous situations.

Autonomous Underwater Vehicles to Observe Strong Demand

Based on platform, the global search and rescue market is segmented into land, maritime, and airborne. The high demand for autonomous underwater vehicles (AUV)is expected to drive the growth of the maritime segment. AUVs are available in various types, such as shallow, medium, and large. AUVs can carry multiple or combinations of payloads, including sensors, cameras, and synthetic aperture sonars, among others. Furthermore, AUVs are equipped with technologies such as communication, collision avoidance, navigation, imaging, and propulsion. Apart from their large-scale application in the oil & gas industry, AUVs are also used in industries such as military & defense, oceanography, environmental protection & monitoring, archaeological & exploration, and search & rescue operations.

Regional Analysis

North America Accounted for the Largest Market Share

North America comprises two major countries, namely, the US and Canada. The increasing development activities undertaken by naval forces of countries such as the US for strengthening the navy is bolstering the market growth. For instance, in 2017, Lockheed Martin Corporation signed a contract with the US Navy for USD 43.2 million to develop an underwater sea vehicle. Furthermore, stringent government regulations pertaining to maritime security in the US are also driving the market growth in the region. The Office of Maritime Security facilitates the development and implementation of effective maritime security policies, procedures, practices, and training to protect the US citizens and maritime interests from maritime security threats such as piracy, terrorism, criminal activity, and cyber-attack. Therefore, stringent government regulations are encouraging the navy to invest in advanced marine systems such as the AUV to offer enhanced safety and security to navy officials and citizens.

APAC Races Ahead at the Fastest Rate as China and India Take the Lead

MRFR anticipates the APAC market to exhibit the fastest growth during the conjectured period, thanks to the increased defense expenditure of key economies. In Asia-Pacific, the market growth is significantly driven by major countries, such as China, Japan, India, and Australia, due to the rising investments in search and rescue robots. In addition, increasing military expenditure and rising territorial conflicts between neighboring countries such as China, South Korea, and North Korea are driving the growth of thesearch and rescue robotsmarket in the region. According to SIPRI, China’s military spending increased from approximately USD 215 billion in 2016 to USD 250 billion in 2018. Additionally, military expenditure in India grew by around 9% from 2017 to 2019. Furthermore, navy modernization activities and increasing development of naval combat systems by China, India, and other Asian countries are further driving the market's growth.

Competitive Landscape

Significant Investments by Players to Intensify Competition

The global search and rescue robots market is anticipated to grow significantly in the coming years due to increasing defense expenditure, rising terrorist attacks, and technological advancements. The search and rescue robots market is characterized by the presence of several global and regional vendors. The market is highly competitive, with all the players trying to gain maximum market share. Frequent changes in government policies, intense competition, and government regulations are the key factors that impact global market growth. The vendors compete based on cost, product quality, and reliability.

List of Key Companies Covered in this Report

• Boston Dynamics


• Hydronalix


• Kongsberg Maritime


• Lockheed Martin Corporation


• FLIR Systems, Inc.


• Howe & Howe Technologies, Inc.


• Northrop Grumman Corporation


• Pliant Energy Systems LLC


• Saab AB


• Thales Group

Recent Developments

• February2022: A new robotic sensor that mimics the instinctive human response to heat has been developed, paving the path for further development of 'soft robot' technology. The device was developed by a team of scientists at Liverpool Hope University, who claim that it is the first sensor capable of eliciting this 'sensory impulse' in the robotics field. This trait may be advantageous for soft robots to mimic the withdrawal reflex of humans when they come into contact with hot surfaces in search and rescue, industrial applications, and space exploration.


• March 2022: Researchers at the University of Bristol have developed a new insect-sized flapping-winged flying robot. The purpose of this research was to pave the way for smaller, lighter, and more effective micro flying robots for environmental monitoring, search and rescue, and deployment in hazardous environments. The Faculty of Engineering at the University of Bristol has successfully shown a direct-drive artificial muscle system dubbed LAZA that provides wing motion without the use of rotating components or gears. The approach significantly simplifies the flapping mechanism, paving the way for future downsizing of flapping robots utilizing rotating components or gears.

Report Overview

Scope of the Report

The scope of the report highlights drivers, opportunities, restraints, and challenges surrounding the global Search and Rescue Robots Market. With easy-to-comprehend segmentation that includes operation, platform, and region, MRFR projections are based on historical and expected trends. In addition, major firms active in the global market have been profiled and paired with the top strategies employed by them to remain competitive in the industry.

Segmentation Table

• Operation




• Autonomous


• Remotely Operated




• Platform




• Land


• Maritime


• Airborne