The Asia Pacific (APAC) region has become a global hub for drone and robotics innovation. With countries such as China, Japan, South Korea, and Singapore investing heavily in research and development (R&D), the region is at the forefront of technological adoption.
In particular, drones are proving to be invaluable in sectors like agriculture, disaster response, and logistics, while robotics is reshaping manufacturing and healthcare.
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APAC Drone/Robotics Landscape
China, driven by initiatives like Made in China 2025 and support for tech hubs such as Shenzhen, dominates the global drone market, with companies like DJI at the forefront. Japan, a long-time leader in industrial robotics, is advancing its robotics sector through initiatives like Society 5.0 and the Robot Revolution Initiative, which focuses on automation in healthcare, logistics, and manufacturing to tackle labor shortages and an aging population.
South Korea and Singapore are also pushing boundaries in the robotics and drone sectors. South Korea's Intelligent Robots Development and Distribution Promotion Act and integration of 5G technologies into drones are accelerating innovation in smart manufacturing and autonomous systems. Meanwhile, Singapore’s Smart Nation Initiative and National Robotics Programme (NRP) are fostering a growing ecosystem of robotics startups, with significant focus on urban mobility, healthcare, and logistics.
In India and Australia, drone and robotics innovations are transforming agriculture, mining, and defense. India’s Make in India initiative is fostering a thriving drone and robotics ecosystem, with drones playing a critical role in agriculture and surveillance. Australia, known for its vast landscapes, is using drones for precision agriculture and environmental monitoring, particularly in the mining and farming sectors.
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Agricultural Innovations
One of the most notable applications of drone technology in the APAC region is in the agricultural sector. Drones are being used to monitor crops, assess soil health, and even apply pesticides, offering significant time and cost savings for farmers.
For instance, Japan is addressing its agricultural labor shortage, driven by an aging workforce and a shrinking number of skilled farmers, through the integration of robots and drones. The average age of farmers in Japan is 68, and over 65% of farmers are aged 65 or older. To maintain the productivity and sustainability of its agricultural sector, Japan has embraced advanced robotics since 2018, deploying unmanned tractors, rice transplanters, and drones for tasks such as weeding and pest control. These robots operate autonomously, and are equipped with sensors to detect obstacles, although human supervision is still required.
The Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries has established safety guidelines to ensure the safe operation of these machines. In recent years, Japan has also begun developing remote-controlled robots that can work in multiple fields simultaneously, with a single operator managing several robots from a control room. This shift toward smart agriculture is further bolstered by research into AI and 5G networks, which, when combined, can enable precise applications of fertilizers and detect the presence of disease in crops timeously.
In China, the integration of robots and drones in agriculture is transforming traditional farming practices, particularly in regions like Zigui county, which is famous for its navel oranges. Farmers now use drones to transport harvested oranges from steep mountain orchards to collection points, significantly reducing transportation time from 40 minutes to just one minute. At processing facilities, robotic arms and AI-powered systems handle the sorting, cleaning, and quality assessment of oranges, analyzing sugar and water content with high precision.
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This automation has revolutionized the local orange industry, boosting productivity and supporting e-commerce platforms that connect farmers with national and global markets. Zigui's digital transformation, aided by cutting-edge technology, has revitalized the rural economy and attracted young people back to farming, offering new opportunities in both agriculture and logistics.
This smart agriculture trend, also seen in nearby regions like Yuanan county, is bolstered by cloud technology that automates greenhouse management, optimizing water, fertilizer, and pesticide use while reducing labor. ASEAN Senior Vice President at HCL Tech, Sandeep Sarkar, noted, “There is a consensus among senior executives on the role of cloud technology in supporting sustainability strategies. Cloud has not just been an efficient business platform but a resilient technology backbone, facilitating energy usage through innovative and optimized infrastructure deployments.”
In Malaysia, the deployment of drones and robotics is being explored to solve local challenges. The Malaysia Flying Labs initiative, for example, focuses on using drones and robotics to address local challenges, particularly in agriculture, disaster response, and environmental monitoring. Flying Labs collaborates with communities to provide hands-on training in drone operation, empowering locals to map flood-prone areas, monitor environmental changes, and improve agricultural practices through aerial data collection.
These initiatives foster innovation and capacity-building at grassroots levels, allowing communities to develop sustainable solutions to pressing regional issues. Through the Flying Labs Network Council, Malaysia’s Flying Labs also contributes to shaping strategies and decisions that impact the growth and governance of the global network.
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Expanding Applications
Beyond their current uses, drones and robotics are expected to play an even larger role in infrastructure development and environmental monitoring. In countries like Indonesia and the Philippines, where natural disasters are a constant threat, drones will likely become an integral part of disaster preparedness strategies.
In the Philippines, UAVs can swiftly survey disaster-affected areas, monitor road conditions, and locate survivors, all while overcoming communication challenges in remote or inaccessible locations. Equipped with high-resolution cameras and advanced payloads, drones are also used to map safe evacuation routes and deliver essential data for decision-making during emergencies.
Projects like the Internet Society Philippines Chapter's (ISOC- PH) initiative, which deploys drones to establish resilient communication networks and gather critical information, demonstrates how this technology enhances disaster response capabilities and aims to ultimately achieve zero casualties. A drone’s ability to function as an aerial sensor, relay communication, and transport emergency supplies makes it an invaluable tool in disaster preparedness and recovery efforts worldwide.
Meanwhile, in Indonesia, the expanding application of drones in disaster preparedness is exemplified by the Precision Medic Drone, developed by Faqihza Mukhlish and Robby Azhari from the Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB). This innovative UAV was created in response to the logistical challenges encountered during the 2022 Cianjur earthquake, where disrupted ground transportation hindered the delivery of medical supplies. The drone, capable of carrying up to 10 kilograms of critical resources, is designed to navigate disaster zones with precision using advanced digital technology and QR-coded helipads, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional aircraft. With its ability to travel up to 60 km/h, the Precision Medic Drone significantly reduces the time required to deliver essential medical equipment, which can be life-saving in emergencies.
Supported by Indonesia’s Kedaireka program, the drone has already been deployed in other vital missions, including mangrove reforestation in West Java, showcasing its versatility. As the technology continues to evolve, collaborations with agencies like the Regional Disaster Management Agency are expected to further enhance Indonesia's disaster response capabilities, underscoring the growing role of drones in humanitarian missions.
