CES for the first time will carve out...

CES for the first time will carve out an exhibit area dedicated to commercial drones, beginning with the 2015 show that opens Jan. 6 for a four-day run, CEA said Wednesday (http://bit.ly/1rkusCi). The “Unmanned Systems Marketplace” will span about 6,500 square feet of exhibit space in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s South Hall, enough room for about 16 exhibiting companies, it said. CES estimates the global market for consumer drones will approach $130 million in 2015 and will “easily exceed” $1 billion in the next five years. “Drones and unmanned systems are being used to assist in a variety of applications, from aerial coverage for sports and real estate, to assistance in search and rescue and disaster relief missions,” said Karen Chupka, CEA senior vice president-CES and corporate business strategy.