Unmanned Ground Vehicle (UGV) Market

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market Size (2023 to 2028)

The global unmanned ground vehicle market size is expected to be worth USD 2.63 Billion in 2023. It is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.0% during the forecast period and reach a value of USD 3.69 Billion by 2028. 

The Unmanned Land Vehicle (UGV) is a mechanical machine that moves on the surface of the ground whose job is to carry or transport something without the involvement of a human being. The UGV provides a flexible robotic platform with versatile mobility support. The main applications of the vehicles are in the defense sector, which includes providing surveillance information, transporting supplies, and assisting in the activation of explosives. In addition, vehicles are used in emergency services, including police, ambulances and others. UGVs are increasingly used to conduct combat and counterinsurgency operations. It is mainly a question of reducing the loss of life in such situations. Demand for UGVs for commercial applications is also increasing, such as in the oil and gas, firefighting, and agriculture industries.

Reduced risk of human lives and impressive combat performance of the vehicles are the principal elements supporting growth in the global UGV market. In addition, the increased demand for civil applications, including national security and commercial purposes, are the main drivers of the unmanned ground vehicle market.

The decreased defense budgets in developed economies and the short lifespan of batteries used in these vehicles are limiting the developments in the unmanned ground vehicle market. Nevertheless, the rising call to enhance operational efficiency and the need for autonomous control systems are supposed to offer promising opportunities for the UGV market in the coming days.

Impact of COVID-19 on the global unmanned ground vehicle market:

Coronavirus has had an immense impact on businesses around the world. Industry experts estimate that COVID-19 could affect the production and services of unmanned ground vehicles by 7-10% globally in 2021. The coronavirus pandemic has negatively affected end-use industries, causing a sudden drop in UGV orders and deliveries in 2021. This is expected to affect the UGV market in the short term negatively and is expected to recover slowly in the first quarter of 2021. End-use industries such as the military and oil and gas could take 2 to 3 years to recover from the financial effects of COVID-19, leading to a lower acquisition of UGV compared to previous estimates. The coronavirus pandemic has caused significant economic problems and challenges for the aviation industry. Since the start of the virus, the civil aviation industry has been among the most affected sectors in the world.

REPORT COVERAGE:

This research report on the global unmanned ground vehicle market has been segmented and sub-segmented into the following categories.

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market – By Application:

• Military
• Commercial
• Law enforcement

In 2021, the military segment accounted for a substantial share because of the surge in automation of several military applications, which is helping the segment to dominate the unmanned ground vehicle market. The military segment is expected to grow most during the forecast period. Currently, the armed forces of various countries deploy UGVs for various missions. For example, in May 2018, the Russian military revealed its combat-proven Uran-9 robot tank in Syria. In addition, in 2015, the Russian Military Industry Committee announced its goal of deploying 30% of Russia's kinetic weapons on remote control platforms by 2026. UGVs have been successfully deployed from demining missions and improvised explosive devices. In addition, the role of UGVs is evolving in the fight against chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and explosive threats (CBRNE). For example, in July 2018, a collaboration agreement was signed between the Croatian demining vehicle manufacturer DOK-ING and Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) to produce a CBRNE UGV. Advances in UGV capabilities and the miniaturization of these vehicles are expected to support the growth of UGVs in the military segment in the coming years.

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market – By Size:

• Large (500 - 1000 LBS)
• Medium (200 - 500 LBS)
• Very large (1000 - 2000 LBS)
• Extremely large (> 2000 LBS)
• Small (10 to 200 LBS)

In 2021, the large segment (500-1000 LBS) has the largest market share due to large vehicles that are automated or remotely controlled tank vehicles integrated with an armored shovel used as a disposition of explosive devices to alert in case of any danger and is driving the growth of large vehicles to dominate the segment.

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market – By System:

• Payloads
• Control units
• Connectors
• Electrical
• Cables
• Actuators
• Mechanics

In 2021, the payload segment has the largest market share due to its wide use as a system component that forms a connecting means within the autonomous vehicle or robot to provide high electrical flow.

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market – By Mobility:

• Vehicles with tracks
• Wheels
• Grabs
• Others

In 2021, the tracked segment dominates the market due to factors such as UGVs, which are the most suitable choice for rough and unpredictable terrain and are increasingly used for critical industry defense missions.

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market – By Operation:

• Teleported
• Autonomous and captive

In 2021, the remotely operated segment will have the largest market share due to the increasing use of applications where uninterrupted power supply is required in dense areas, further helping the segment dominate the unmanned ground vehicle business.

Global Unmanned Ground Vehicle Market – By Region:

• North America
• Europe
• APAC
• Latin America
• Middle East and Africa

With the presence of leading market players and investments in the military sector, North America dominated the global unmanned ground vehicles market and is likely to continue its demand in the coming years.

KEY MARKET PLAYERS:

Major players covered in the report are General Dynamics Corporation, L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Rheinmetall AG, Lockheed Martin Corporation., Northrop Grumman Corporation., BAE Systems, Autonomous Solutions Inc., Clearpath Robotics Inc., DOK-ING doo, ICOR Technology., Leonardo SpA, Oshkosh Defense, LLC (a subsidiary of Oshkosh Corporation, Inc., QinetiQ, RE2, Inc., Roboteam, SuperDroid Robots, Inc., among others. Many product developments are also initiated by companies around the world, which is also accelerating the growth of the unmanned land vehicle market.

RECENT HAPPENINGS IN THE MARKET:

• In May 2021, DOK-ING d.o.o. launched its new MV-4 product for a powerful combat engineering demining system as well as an IED / EOD countering solution. The new product will enhance the company's brand image by generating more revenue.
• In April 2021, Lockheed Martin Corporation presented the Q-53 radar equipped with gallium nitride to the US military. The launch of a new product for the military will strengthen the value of the brand as well as the image of the company worldwide and will generate more revenue for the business.