DJI dominates U.S. construction drone fleets despite federal restrictions

A survey by the Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) reveals a heavy reliance on Chinese-made drones within the U.S. construction industry. According to the findings, 97.1% of ABC member companies that operate drones use DJI as their primary manufacturer, while 2.9% use Autel Robotics.

Notably, Skydio, the only American manufacturer included in the survey options, was not named as a primary provider by any respondents. The data highlights a significant challenge for the industry as federal regulators, including the Federal Communications Commission, have moved to restrict foreign-made drones and critical components by adding them to a Covered List.

While only 36.1% of surveyed members currently fly drones, ABC vice president Matt Abeles noted that drone technology is becoming a mainstream tool on jobsites, suggesting continued growth in the sector despite regulatory pressures and potential cost increases associated with shifting to alternative platforms.