‍

The era of electronics began in 1947 with the invention of the transistor and silicon-based semiconductor technology. We are now in the midst of the 4th Industrial Revolution and disruptive industries such as the Internet of Things, robotics, and artificial intelligence (AI) are without a doubt changing the way we live. So what are some of the most exciting advancements in the world of electronics today? Let’s take a look!

‍

1. Flexible OLED displays

‍

‍

OLEDs are commonly used in many electronic devices today. Their next generation will likely be flexible and bendable. In fact, Samsung released their first foldable smartphone last year and more models are anticipated in the near future.

‍

Reportedly, the flexible displays of the future could be so ultra-weight and thin as to be rolled around the diameter of a pen!  In 2018 LG revealed an early prototype of a 65-inch 4K rollable OLED display. Their TV unrolls at the touch of a button and automatically retracts from view when not needed. Flexible displays are also being integrated into wearable technologies and clothing.

‍

2. Smart clothing

‍

‍

Wearable devices such as smart watches, fitness trackers, and Bluetooth headphones have been around for quite some time. This is now evolving into smart clothing. Although some smart clothing is being designed for purely fashion benefits (such as changing the color of a t-shirt on command) it is also being used to improve human performance.

‍

Installing electronics directly into the fabric of smart wear can enable users to measure stats like heart rate, muscle use, ECG as well as body temperature or UV radiation. An example is smart socks that measure running distance, time and speed. Companies like Sensoria have developed socks with circuits, sensors, and wireless chip woven inside to analyze and hence improve your running technique.

‍

3. Industrial wearables and industrial robotics

‍

‍

Wearable technology, such as biometric sensors and smart glasses, is emerging as a way to improve industrial workers’ safety and productivity.  Many devices are being designed to prevent workers from accidents. Others use embedded voice recognition technology that allows users to connect and communicate with each other in a safe way. An example is Microsoft’s HoloLens which can dial up a remote expert for a repair job.

‍

Wearables are not the only devices that are improving workplaces. The use of industrial robotics has already proven to be beneficial at many organizations. It's estimated that nearly 1.2 million industrial robots will be used by 2025! Amazon is already using over 200,000 autonomous robots to move products and materials in their warehouses.

‍

4. 3D printing

This is not a new trend; in fact the concept of 3D Printing, also known as additive manufacturing, was laid out by David E.H. Jones back in 1974. However, the way this technology is being used is quickly advancing.

‍

Biotechnology startup, Cellink has developed a bioprinter that is able to 3D print musculoskeletal tissue and bone and cartilage printing.

‍

Formlabs recently announced that their 3D printers will be used for making temporary and permanent dental crowns and bridges, lowering the cost while increasing the quality of this type of dental work.

‍

Another company worth mentioning is San Francisco startup, Mighty Buildings. They are using 3D printing technology to develop modular, backyard units, resulting in more affordable housing solutions.

‍

5. IoT

‍

Demand for Internet of Things (IoT) devices continues to accelerate. Twenty billion IoT products are expected to hit the market by 2021 and according to GlobalData, spending on smart appliances will hit $5.5 billion by 2025.

‍

Some well known products already in the market include Google Home Voice Controller and the August Smart Lock, which allows the user to manage their doors from any location. The LG home chat is another a great example of the future of so called smart homes - it allows internet connected appliances including your TV, fridge or dishwasher to send you text messages in the same way as your friends would via chat. It also gives you remote control over those same appliances.

‍

6. Autonomous Driving and Connected Cars

‍

‍

While there's already a huge demand for electric and hybrid cars, a fairly recent thing we're seeing is the rise of CASE (connected, autonomous, shared, and electric) vehicles.

‍

Waymo, Google’s subsidiary autonomous driving technology development company, has already completed a trial of autonomous taxis in California, successfully transporting more than 6,200 people.

‍

Meanwhile, Toyota is taking a slightly different approach. Rather than completely removing human control, its Guardian automated safety system aims to amplify human control of the vehicle. "With Toyota Guardian, the driver is meant to be in control of the car at all times, except in those cases where it anticipates or identifies a pending incident and employs a corrective response in coordination with driver input."

‍

7. AI

‍

‍

Although sometimes a controversial topic, the improvement of algorithms, computing and access to increased data is allowing AI to be present in more areas of our lives.

‍

We foresee more AI devices that are similar to the recently launched MIT Media Lab project, AlterEgo, an AI enabled headset designed for people with speech disorders, which allows them to converse simply by articulating words internally.

‍

Another promising piece of innovation we stumbled across was Smart Dust, an AI chip by EPIC Semiconductors that can be easily embedded into everyday objects, sensing “human actions, physical forces, chemical reactions and bio-effects”. Potential use cases for this could be countless, ranging from personal to industrial, medical, and automobile industries.

‍

8. Personalized and predictive medicine

‍

‍

New technology is able to predict and treat health issues in people even before they show any symptoms, allowing for proactive instead of reactive medicine.

‍

A fascinating example of this is so-called "electronic tattoos" (or epidermal electronics), which are applied in a similar way to children's temporary tattoos. These types of thin, wearable electronics are capable of monitoring vital signs such as heart and brain functions. This technology can dramatically change the way treatment is conducted and provide a more accurate and personalized approach.

‍

9. Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles

‍

‍

Similar to the internet or GPS, drones are expanding beyond their military origin. Drone technology and unmanned aerial vehicles are now essential tools in environments like rescue missions, firefighting, and law enforcement.

‍

Large corporations like Amazon and Google are testing ways to deliver packages using drones and Facebook uses drones to provide internet connections in remote locations.

‍

An interesting case is medical product delivery company Zipline. Zipline uses drones for medical supplies including blood and vaccines. Instead of landing, their drones deliver the products by a parachute allowing for timely transportation to less accessible areas.

‍