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.

Thursday 17 October - Overview of the major haptic actuator technology choices; Exploration of haptics technology innovations and developments; Highlighting expected stories in the haptics market for the next ten years; Adoption roadmaps for haptics technology

IDTechEx outlines the competition Neuralink is facing from not only other invasive brain computer interface developers, but also from the more established eco-system of non-invasive solution providers.

The capabilities of haptic feedback technologies have grown far beyond adding rumble to game controllers or silent notifications to cellphones. Market growth is expected to be chiefly driven by the growing adoption of haptics in non-traditional markets, particularly vehicle interiors.

Conductive inks are a diverse and versatile technology, with differing price points to suit various applications. Conductivity, stretchability, cost, and durability are just some of the factors of consideration for manufacturers when selecting ink types and materials, and IDTechEx's latest report, Conductive Inks Market 2024-2034: Technologies, Applications, Players, deep dives into the many combinations available.

Silver-flake-based inks currently dominate the conductive inks market, but the outlook for non-silver inks is set to change dramatically over the coming decade, with a CAGR of 24%. Stretchable/thermoformable inks and copper inks will seize the largest market share, driven by applications such as in-mold electronics, wearable electrodes, and RFID & smart packaging.

Thursday 19 September 2024 - Introduction to brain computer interfacing (BCI); The need for better assistive technology solutions; The wider competition for next generation human machine interfaces (HMIs); Conclusions and outlook for invasive vs. non-invasive approaches

The brain computer interface market represents an array of technologies which can decode neural signals, or in other words, read minds. Electrodes or sensors can be placed either on the surface of the head, within the skull, or even within the brain itself to record brain activity. This data can then be used for cursor and keyboard control, speech decoding, and even exo-skeletons. This technology has the potential to revolutionize the quality of life for people living with spinal cord injury, quadriplegia, and other motor and speech function impairments.

The Paris 2024 Olympic Games are underway, and elite athletes from all over the world are competing in various games using a range of different skills. With constant debate over gold, silver, and bronze medals, a comparison can be made with the conductive inks market. Silver flake-based inks are set to win gold in a number of different application areas, beating out competition from a host of conductive ink types.

Since the conception of flexible battery technologies, suppliers have searched for strong application markets for their products. In the last five years, niches have finally begun to materialize, though the specific use case depends on battery technology.

IDTechEx expects the printed and flexible sensor market to reach US$960 million by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate of 8.6%. Being connected to infrastructure systems or partnering with suppliers and distributors will help printed sensors take off, alongside their ability to be available at scale, robust, and have long product lifetimes.

VR goggles for interactive physio sessions and the use of online platforms for remote consultations contribute to new decentralized healthcare innovations. IDTechEx's portfolio of healthcare reports explores new approaches, from remote patient monitoring to the use of AI in drug discovery.

Wednesday 3 July 2024 - Introduction to the broad family of conductive inks; Status and outlook for the dominant conductive ink type, silver flake-based ink, including an assessment of current demand and a ten-year forecast; Overview of emerging applications; Critical assessment of the outlook for non-silver inks such as stretchable/thermoformable inks and copper inks.

The conductive inks market will grow to exceed US$6.5 billion by 2034 but remains a highly segmented industry, underpinning both photovoltaics and the emerging field of printed electronics. Taking stock of the different outlooks for the myriad of conductive ink types and the various application areas is a complex task. IDTechEx has tackled this problem by assessing the market for different conductive ink types across 15 application areas and providing granular ten-year market forecasts.

The modern world depends heavily on GPS satellites to navigate, but too often, access to them is lost or even jammed. This creates a significant risk to safety in multiple industries — especially aerospace, but also automotive and consumer electronics. Following the world's first successful flight demonstration of quantum navigation technology in May 2024 by BAE, QinetiQ, and Infleqtion, this article outlines the power of quantum sensors.

IDTechEx, a trusted provider of independent market intelligence, have released a new market report, "Optical & Radio Frequency Metamaterials 2024-2034: Markets, Players, Technologies". The report forecasts the electromagnetic metamaterials market to approach US$15 Billion by 2034.

Electrification, autonomy, and vehicle ownership saturation are causing a technological revolution in the automotive sector. These automotive meta-trends are driving drastic changes in electronic component requirements and present a high-volume opportunity for printed electronics to capitalize on.

Wearable technology could increase safety in sport and decrease stress with red-light therapy. Wearables is a market covering a wide range of applications, from health and wellness, smart mouthguards, to virtual reality headsets, and offers many benefits to different technology sectors.

Augmented and virtual reality are being developed in new ways to enhance reality, from streamlined smart glasses to headsets with farfetched fantasy experiences. Extended reality (XR) headsets are proving useful not only for leisure purposes but also for industry use, training, and even rehabilitation. In IDTechEx's podcast, 'Tomorrow's Tech by IDTechEx', Senior Technology Analyst Sam Dale discusses the variety of benefits of VR and AR.