DGCA gave the official nod to companies like Swiggy, Dunzo, Zomato to deliver food via drone.
FICCI & EY state that the Indian unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) market is expected to touch $885.7M by 2021.
Global UAV market size by 2021: $21.47B
Drone space is expected to grow at a CAGR of 18% by 2023.
SpiceJet, Reliance-backed drone startup Asteria Aerospace, Zipline, Redwing & Throttle Aerospace Systems are also among 13 consortia that have received approvals from the aviation regulator to test fly drones.
These firms are expected to start conducting their experimental flights in the first week of July.
It is mandatory for them to complete a minimum of 100 hours of flight time in airspace designated by the Airports Authority of India (AAI) by Sep 30.
Drones will make hyperlocal & last-mile logistics efficient & inexpensive.
This opportunity will provide a promising platform for indigenous tech start-ups to innovate, solve, & develop hi-tech drones that can be used for different applications in India.
This will also create a roadmap that will allow this emerging startup ecosystem to decrease dependence on imported technology & create indigenous IPs.