At IDTechEx, we cover emerging technologies and industry trends, and the COVID-19 pandemic has had a direct or indirect impact on all of them. In this article we will describe some of the key roles that these technologies have played in 2020.

Virtual reality has already had a major impact in a range of different industries. IDTechEx predicts in its recent market research report that this technology will grow to $8Bn by 2030.

Thursday 3 December (includes Q&A session) - Printed/flexible electronics is a constantly evolving area with extensive scope for innovation. In this webinar, Dr Matthew Dyson will discuss four technical innovations learned about in 2020.

The wearable technology market was worth nearly $70bn in 2019, having doubled in size since 2014. Sensors have provided the core features for many of these different products throughout this rise, and they will continue to be critical into future generations of products.

Thursday 12 November 2020 - Emerging Applications for Printed/Flexible Electronics. This webinar includes a Q&A session. Emerging applications that will be discussed in the webinar include: Electronic skin patches; Building integrated electronics; and Sticker electronics.

The first electric hearing aid was created in 1898, and was arguably among the earliest examples of wearable tech. So it's fitting that, more than a century later, on- and in-ear technology is once again leading the way - this time as hearables, a sector now poised for substantial growth.

The newest toy for dogs is a high-tech augmented reality headset.

The wearable sensor industry will be worth $2.5 billion in 2020, having tripled in size since 2014. This comes despite the significant economic challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has caused a reduction in the total revenue this year.

IDTechEx forecasts that flexible electronics in cardiac monitoring, deployed in electronic skin patches and electronic textiles, will be a $2 billion market in the year 2030.

Flexible Hybrid Electronics: Conforming to the Market - Overview of latest market forecast and key trends; technology benchmarking and new entrant analysis; and analysis of technological transitions and associated innovation opportunities.

Wednesday 16 September 2020 - Seeing Is Believing: The Truth Behind the Optics and Displays of AR/MR/VR. Why do optics and displays Matter? What are the key properties in choosing an optical set-up? What are the key properties in choosing a micro-display? Where are these markets going in the next decade?

The new IDTechEx report, "Optics and Displays in AR, VR, and MR 2020-2030: Technologies, Players and Markets", covers the complete range of optics and display technologies which are used in spatial reality products.

The battery industry has experienced enormous innovation and investment with the demand mainly from electric vehicles and energy storage systems. The 1,500 GWh market demand in 2030 indicates huge potential for batteries.

Augmented reality and mixed reality are being used more and more in hospitals by doctors and healthcare professionals to provide them with a hands-free working environment, greater flexibility with overlaying information and processing information from its camera.

IDTechEx have released a new research report, "Skin Sensors 2020- 2030: Technologies, Markets, Players, Forecasts".

The new IDTechEx report, "Sensors 2021-2041" uniquely analyses the whole subject in the light of such seismic changes as the COVID-19 virus. The sensor business is in turmoil. The industries that spend most on sensors are changing as are the sensors.

Estimates vary but we are certainly in $100 billion, 100GW territory with the booming photovoltaic market. The new IDTechEx report, "Electronics Reshaped 2020-2040" reveals solar market growth by new capabilities opening previously impossible applications.

Join IDTechEx Chairman, Dr Peter Harrop in this 8-minute presentation on Sensors, discussing patents, the effect of COVID19, sensor market drivers in construction, agriculture, mining, military, aerospace, consumer electronics, medical, automotive & rail.

By 2030, IDTechEx predicts the augmented, virtual and mixed reality market to be over $30Bn. With COVID limiting physical interaction, virtual communication and interaction will be the normal for many years to come.

A detailed look at the technologies underpinning printed image and piezoresistive sensors; An assessment of the technological readiness level of competing technologies; Discussion of existing and emerging applications; and Identification of technological challenges and innovation opportunities