The medical sector is one of the largest spaces where 3D printing operates, with opportunities for implant customization, educational models, and drug manufacturing.

The wearable sensors market encompasses an array of exciting technologies with the potential to unlock a host of applications in healthcare, extended reality, industrial IoT, and more. Yet as the wearable sensors market matures, there will be some roadblocks for growth ahead. In this article, IDTechEx outlines three challenges facing the wearable sensors market and some potential solutions which will see the market size grow to US$7.2 billion with a CAGR of 5% by 2035.

A free collection of insights from our industry experts, sharing some of the key technology innovation trends shaping the next decade.

Drawing on research from the IDTechEx report, "Wearable Sensors Market 2025-2035: Technologies, Trends, Players, Forecasts", this article brings together some of the major industries shaping the future of the wearable sensors market long term, and as such, some unifying features to expect across the next generation of sensing solutions.

Sensor technology comes in many shapes and sizes, designed to measure a wide range of metrics for a host of different applications. There are sensors to collect data from almost all physical parameters: motion, magnetic field, current, temperature, force-light intensity - the list goes on. These miniaturized components are everywhere, from our smart-phones and home appliances to within cars, factories, and satellites.

Bringing together the worlds of assistive technology and consumer electronics is becoming increasingly necessary with ever-developing digital technology and communication abilities, for those with limited mobility or speech to benefit from such groundbreaking advances.

Consumer gaming and professional uses of VR headsets, from pilot training and machinery operation to entertainment in VR arcades, all count towards the unmatched lucrativeness of VR today. AR devices have grown more in recent years; however, they remain a niche market home to tough competition, especially for consumer devices.

The demand for human wellbeing brings great value to the wearables market and creates a greater need for access to personalized healthcare and remote monitoring. Beginning with fitness trackers, the wearables industry now incorporates skin patches, smart mouthguards, smart glasses, and headsets, with devices being used in both personal and work environments.

IDTechEx predicts the brain computer interface market to exceed US$ 1.6billion in 2045, highlighting the large scope for growth and development within the sector, and the potential of BCI technology to improve accessible communication.

As applications for wearable technology grow, there are increasing opportunities for sensors that can detect more advanced metrics, be integrated into novel form factors, offer enhanced performance, or demand less power and space. Innovations in wearable sensor technology are expanding the envelope of biometrics accessible through watches and skin patches, addressing the rising demand for remote patient monitoring and decentralized clinical trials but also increasing consumer expectations.

Industrial Internet of Things sensor technology (IIoT) seeks to enable greater industrial automation, improved worker safety, and streamlined maintenance planning. From cameras, LiDAR, and radar for machine vision in robotics, to skin patches and miniaturized gas sensors in smart personal protection equipment, emerging IIoT applications present growth opportunities for a variety of sensor technologies.

Monday 16 December 2024 - Introduction to the state of the wearable sensor market in 2024; Global meta-trends and their impact on the wearable sensor industry; Sensor innovations for HMI: o Neural interface wristbands for AR o Wearable brain computer interfaces o Ear computing and facial gesture recognition; Conclusions and Market Outlook

Haptics might fly under the radar, but they form a major industry that offers serious user experience benefits to consumers. IDTechEx forecasts a US$7.1 billion market for haptic technology in 2035, with much of the growth in this market being fueled by the adoption of haptics in new classes of device.

Tuesday 3 December 2024 - Introduction to the state of the wearable technology market in 2024; Global meta-trends and their impact on the wearable industry; Sensor innovations: including printed and quantum technologies; Flexible batteries for wearables?; Medical wearables: from sensors to actuators

Monday 18 November 2024 - Emerging Display Technologies: Revolutionizing Visual Experiences Across Industries; MicroLED Displays: Revolutionizing visual clarity and efficiency; Quantum Dots in Displays: Enhancing color accuracy and energy efficiency; Automotive Displays: Integrating advanced features for improved safety and user interaction; Head-Up Displays: Augmenting reality for enhanced driving experiences

Tuesday 12 November 2024 - What the state of XR in 2024 tells us about its potential in the next five years, including the impact of major events in the industry this last twelve months; How intuitive interfaces for AR are finally emerging, including the impact of eye tracking and Meta's EMG wristband demonstrator; How the technological status of AR waveguides and displays could develop to solve key challenges with performance and cost; A potential timeline for AR glasses to begin supplanting the smartphone

Thursday 7 November 2024 - Which Technology Innovations Will Be Most Disruptive in the Global Sensor Market? An overview of meta-trends shaping the sensor market landscape; A summary of major market verticals, product types and leading technologies; Coverage of near-term trends in sensor technology development, adoption and integration - including the impact of AI on edge sensing; An overview of disruptive emerging sensor technologies recently commercialized, their value proposition, advantages and market challenges. This includes printed sensors, quantum sensors, emerging image sensors, biosensors, gas sensors and nanocarbon sensors; Case studies in fast growing markets for sensors technology, both established and emerging, such as future mobility, wearables and IoT (industrial, consumer and environmental); Initial ten-year forecasting insights and sensor market outlook for the next ten years

In this article, IDTechEx will overview some of the technology innovations and companies driving this sector forward and perhaps ushering in a new era of 'quantified self-awareness'.

While sensors contribute just a fraction of the annual revenue generated by major electronics companies, sensor technology nevertheless represents a multi-billion-dollar global market.