Drones taking off at CES 2016

The Unmanned Systems Marketplace, presented by AUVSI and located in the LVCC, South Hall 2, covers more than 25,000 net square feet of exhibit space, a 200 percent increase over the 2015 CES. Exhibitors including DJI, Yuneec, Hobbico Inc. and Squadrone System will showcase drone and unmanned technologies  and initiatives  that deliver innovations related to sports, travel, real estate, search and rescue, law enforcement and disaster relief.   

"Drones have taken off in the marketplace and now represent one of the fastest growing tech categories – globally and on the CES show floor," said Gary Shapiro, president and CEO, Consumer Technology Association. "This is truly life-changing technology that will create new jobs, improve lives and transform the way we do business."

CTA market research expects this to be a defining year for drones , with 400,000 units sold this holiday season and U.S. market revenue reaching nearly $105 million in 2015 – a 52 percent increase over 2014. And given the right regulatory environment, CTA sees the United States reaching one million unmanned aircraft systems flights per day within the next 20 years.

In addition to exhibits on the show floor, CES 2016 will feature four conference sessions focused on the accomplishments, trends and challenges of UAV technology, including:

Defining Drones: From Backyard Hobby to Hollywood Flyover

2:15-3:15 PM January 6, LVCC, North Hall, Room N253

Rules for Drones – Best Policies and Practices

1-2 PM January 7, LVCC, North Hall, Room N256

Managing Low-Altitude Airspace for Safety and Privacy

2:15-3:15 PM January 7, LVCC, North Hall, Room N256

Use Cases: Amazing Drone Benefits

3:30-4:30 PM January 7, LVCC, North Hall, Room N256

CES 2016 will span 2.3 million net square feet of exhibit space featuring more than 3,600 exhibiting companies debuting the latest products and services across the entire consumer tech ecosystem.