Search and Rescue Robots Market Analysis

Global Search and Rescue Robots Market Overview

Search and Rescue Robots Market Size was valued at USD 21.68 billion in 2023. The Search and Rescue Robots market is projected to grow from USD 25.02 Billion in 2024 to USD 66.92 billion by 2030, exhibiting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 13% during the forecast period (2024 - 2030). Increased defense spending, the development of search and rescue robots, and an increase in terrorist attacks are the key market driver enhancing market growth.

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Search and Rescue Robots Market Trends

• Advancements of Search and rescue robots have increased the demand in developing nations to boost the market growth.

Robots are essential in situations where there is a risk to life because they can work for longer periods of time without resting, easily access areas that human rescuers find challenging, and can work in environments that are not always conducive to the human rescue. Robots are also used to gather data before beginning a rescue mission by evaluating the environment and location. Rescue crews may concentrate their efforts in certain regions by identifying the victims.

Since every victim's minute might mean the difference between life and death, time is of the essence when lives are at stake. This is why these robots were created to arrive swiftly and shorten the duration of these operations. The rescuers are hesitant to employ these technologies since they have yet to be considered reliable enough, even though these robots have significant benefits over people. Similarly, while integrated and centrally organized robot teams can be useful for studies, most rescues prefer autonomously deployable individual devices.

For instance, The University of Manchester collaborated on a project in 2019 to improve the detection of survivors under debris after a disaster. They developed chemical sensors that could be mounted on worm robots that could enter through any small crack in the debris and alert rescuers if any survivors were found. Additionally, Hydronalix EMILY is a robotic rescue boat that can be remotely operated and used to save drowning victims. Five to eight people can hold on to it until they return to safety. Technology development is thus fueling the market for search and rescue robots.

Search and Rescue Robots Market Segment Insights

Search and Rescue Robots Operation Insights

Based on operation, the search and rescue robots market segmentation includes autonomous and remotely operated. Autonomous held the majority share in 2022 concerning the Search and Rescue Robots market revenue. Robots for search and rescue are made to work in dangerous settings where it may not be safe or practical for people to go. Certain robots' ability to act autonomously, which frees them from direct human control in certain circumstances, can be valuable.

Robots used for search and rescue are outfitted with various sensors, including cameras, LIDAR, and ultrasonic sensors, which allow the robots to comprehend their surroundings and enable autonomous operation. Additionally, they have processing systems aboard that analyze sensor data and render judgments based on pre-programmed algorithms or machine learning models. Navigation in complicated and changing situations, robustness to sensor failures or communication loss, and decision-making under uncertainty are some major difficulties autonomous search and rescue robots face.

By creating sophisticated algorithms and technologies like simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM), obstacle detection and avoidance, and fault-tolerant control, researchers are solving these problems. In general, autonomous search and rescue robots have the potential to improve the efficiency, safety, and speed of search and rescue operations, especially in circumstances when human assistance may not be feasible or viable.

Figure 1: Search and Rescue Robots Market, by Operation, 2022 & 2030 (USD Billion)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Search and Rescue Robots Platform Insights

Based on the platform, the search and rescue robots market segmentation is segmented into land, maritime and airborne. Land-based search and rescue robots are built for the ground and can navigate various terrain, including uneven surfaces, stairs, and rubble mounds. They can be used to look for and find survivors in dangerous locations like disaster areas.

A few illustrations of land-based search and rescue robots are those based on wheeled platforms that can travel fast across smooth or moderately difficult terrain since they employ wheels for mobility. They can be built with varying numbers of wheels and with extra features like manipulator arms or sensors for gas or radiation detection. Another example is Platforms with tracks where robots can traverse difficult terrain, including mounds of rubble, using their tracks for propulsion. For optimum performance, they can be built with several track kinds, and they might also include other features like cameras or LIDAR to map the surroundings. Thus, growth in the total market is anticipated in the upcoming years and positively impacts market growth.

Search and Rescue Robots Regional Insights

By Region, the study provides market insights into North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Rest of the World. The North America Search and rescue robots market accounted for USD 18.35 billion in 2022 and is expected to exhibit a significant CAGR growth during the study period. The search and rescue robot market is anticipated to expand creatively in the North American region.

In North America, search and rescue robots are crucial for responding to emergencies and disasters. The military, fire departments, and law enforcement have all deployed a sizable number of search and rescue robots in the United States. Governmental organizations like the National Institute of Standards and Technology and the Department of Homeland Security are supporting the development of these robots. Additionally, colleges and commercial businesses are working to construct search and rescue robots in the US. Additionally, an increasing number of search and rescue robots are being used in Canada by emergency responders and organizations like the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.

Further, the major countries studied in the market report are the U.S., Canada, Germany, France, the UK, Italy, Spain, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Brazil.

Figure 2: SEARCH AND RESCUE ROBOTS MARKET SHARE BY REGION 2022 (%)

Source Secondary Research, Primary Research, MRFR Database and Analyst Review

Asia Pacific’s Search and Rescue Robots market accounts for the second-largest market share. Geographically speaking, Asia Pacific is expected to expand at the highest rate because the major nations in the region are boosting their robotics investment and vying to become the center for robotics. All the economies in the region are seeing rapid expansion in this industry, and the market under study offers enormous growth potential. As part of the Made in China 2025 initiative, the Chinese government funded USD 577 million to develop intelligent robots in 2019. Further, the China Search and Rescue Robots market held the largest market share, and India Search and Rescue Robots market was the fastest-growing market in the Asia Pacific region.

Europe’s Search and Rescue Robots market is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR from 2024 to 2030. The increased use of robots in disaster relief and emergency scenarios is fueling the growth of Europe’s search and rescue robots’ market. Robots with diverse search and rescue capabilities, including land-based, aerial, and marine robots, are available on the market. Further, the German Search and Rescue Robots market held the largest market share, and the UK Search and Rescue Robots market was the fastest-growing market in the European region.

Search and Rescue Robots Key Market Players & Competitive Insights

Major market players are spending much on R&D to increase their product lines, which will help the Search and rescue robots market grow even more. Market participants are also taking various strategic initiatives to grow their worldwide footprint, with key market developments such as new product launches, contractual agreements, mergers and acquisitions, increased investments, and collaboration with other organizations. Competitors in the Search and Rescue Robots industry must offer cost-effective items to expand and survive in an increasingly competitive and rising market environment.

Overall, there is fierce competition in the market for search and rescue robots, which partnerships, existing firms, and newcomers are driving. As the market expands, we may anticipate future developments in search and rescue robot technologies and applications. Innovation significantly fuels competition in the search and rescue robot market. To improve the functionality and efficiency of their robots, businesses are continually creating new technologies and features. For instance, some businesses are creating autonomous robots that can go through debris fields, while others are creating robots that can assist human rescuers.

Numerous businesses are forging strategic alliances, partnerships, and acquisitions to establish a firm footing in the industry. The Search and Rescue Robots market’s major players include 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, others, are working on expanding the market demand by investing in research and development activities.

Boston Dynamics is a robotics and engineering firm based in the United States specializing in creating cutting-edge robots. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) spun off the business in 1992, and it was acquired by Google X (now Alphabet Inc.'s X) in 2013. Hyundai Motor Group acquired the business in 2020. The Atlas humanoid robot, the Spot quadruped robot, and the Handle mobile manipulation robot are just a few of Boston Dynamics' most notable creations. These robots are made for various tasks, such as construction, logistics, military operations, and search and rescue.

Also, Kongsberg Maritime is focused on designing and producing cutting-edge marine software and electronics. The business is a division of Kongsberg Gruppen, a Norwegian technological firm with operations in several maritime, defense, and aerospace sectors. Navigation systems, underwater acoustic products, dynamic positioning systems, marine automation systems, and subsea products are just a few of the goods and services Kongsberg Maritime provides to the maritime sector. Marine research, oceanographic surveys, offshore oil and gas, and commercial transportation are just a few of the uses for the company's goods.

Key Companies in the Search and Rescue Robots market include.

• 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

Search and Rescue Robots Industry Developments

For Instance, November 2020 in search and rescue operations, mobility is a crucial component, and recent advancements in robot mobility have produced more adaptable and efficient search and rescue robots.

For instance, November 2022 As they are easier to transport to disaster sites and can access places larger robots cannot, smaller search and rescue robots are growing in popularity. As a result, miniature robots that can be used in several settings have been created.

Search and Rescue Robots Market Segmentation

Search and Rescue Robots by Operation Outlook

• Autonomous


• Remotely Operated

Search and Rescue Robots by Platform Outlook

• Land


• Maritime


• Airborne

Search and Rescue Robots Regional Outlook

• North America
  
  
  
  • US
  
  
  • Canada
  
  
  
  


• Europe
  
  
  
  • Germany
  
  
  • France
  
  
  • UK
  
  
  • Italy
  
  
  • Spain
  
  
  • Rest of Europe
  
  
  
  


• Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  • China
  
  
  • Japan
  
  
  • India
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • South Korea
  
  
  • Australia
  
  
  • Rest of Asia-Pacific
  
  
  
  


• Rest of the World
  
  
  
  • Middle East
  
  
  • Africa
  
  
  • Latin America