According to an article by DRONELIFE:
The drone industry is poised for significant changes in 2025. A new U.S. administration, new leadership at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and shifting global conflicts will influence regulations, supply chains, and technological advancements. DRONELIFE asked industry thought leaders what they thought the coming months would bring, highlighting key trends in regulatory developments, AI-driven automation, national security, and evolving business models.
With the passage of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, experts anticipate movement toward Beyond Visual Line of Sight (BVLOS) operations.
“Following on the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, in 2025 I’m looking to see increased pressure on a move towards BVLOS operations through rulemaking rather than waiver-based operations. The groundwork for that has been under development for a long time, it will be an exciting time when it comes to fruition, opening up room for the next disruptive technologies in the drone industry in the US.” – Sam Knight, Vice President of Product Management & Remote Pilot, Blue Marble Geographics.
BVLOS operations could transform commercial and public sector drone applications, unlocking new opportunities for autonomous systems and emergency response efforts.
AI and Automation: The Next Phase of Drone Capabilities
Experts predict that artificial intelligence (AI) and automation will play a critical role in 2025. AI-powered navigation and real-time data processing will reduce human intervention while improving efficiency across industries.
“AI at the edge will be essential for asset intelligence as BVLOS drone operations expand and data volumes grow. By enabling near real-time data processing, AI can quickly transform raw data into actionable insights. This will be key to keeping pace with the increasing demand for timely information.” – Trevor Perrott, CEO & Co-Founder at Censys Technologies.