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Almost every industry is being transformed by Artificial Intelligence, but arguably one of the most exciting areas of innovation is within the electronics sector.
The Internet of Things (IoT) is already facilitating so much of how we live, work and communicate with one another. Whilst IoT in consumer electronics – smart TVs, refrigerators, fitness trackers – is now “mainstream”, their capabilities are now being enhanced further by AI which can read their millions of data points to gain insights into users’ behaviors and create a new era of hyper-personalisation.
Imagine, for example, a coffee maker that syncs with your sleep tracker to automatically brew an extra-strong blend if you’ve had a bad night’s sleep, or a virtual assistant reading your health tracker’s statistics to create a personalised grocery list that addresses any dietary inefficiencies. With tech giants such as Amazon and Google adapting their product lineup to Matter, “an open-source standard that allows internet-connected devices from different manufacturers to communicate”1, the possibilities in this area are almost limitless.
Source: Statista(2)
Perhaps even more personalised than home electronics is the wearable tech market – driven by consumers’ desire to track almost every aspect of their health and fitness. The wearable technology market size is estimated at US$186.48 billion in 2024 and is expected to reach US$493.26 billion by 2029 – a growth rate (CAGR) of 17.6%3. Some of the more advanced available this year include Withings’ handheld VitalScan, a first-of-its-kind connected health device that combines four medical tools – a stethoscope, an oximeter, a 1-lead ECG and a thermometer – allowing users to test themselves on the go and share the data with their doctor.
Elsewhere, AI is powering a new generation of fun, virtual-reality gadgets, like gaming headsets and video glasses. The Apple Vision Pro spatial computing goggles run popular apps, including Camera, FaceTime and Safari, via a blend of both AR and VR that users can control with eye and hand tracking. Despite their hefty US$3500 price tag, 200,000 units were sold in the first 10 days after launch4.
Sony and Siemens recently unveiled a mixed reality headset for the industrial metaverse, designed to help engineering professionals produce and analyse 3D models of their designs and diagnose any issues before investing in real-world prototypes. Meanwhile, DHL Express has begun exploring smart glasses with embedded vision picking technology to speed up warehouse processes.
AI is playing an increasingly important role in transforming electronics’ manufacturing, too. 3D-printed electronics is a rapidly growing area – bringing products to market faster and enabling greater customisation.
Yet perhaps one of the biggest emerging trends on the manufacturing side is the demand for sustainable processes. Earlier this year, at the Consumer Technology Association’s industry-leading annual tech convention, several businesses debuted new solar cell technology capable of powering consumer electronics, as an alternative to disposable batteries. Organic materials are also facilitating some of the change – those derived from microbial or plant matter – to create energy-efficient, biodegradable components.
Consumers are also playing their part in the sustainability movement, driving a surge in refurbished and used electronics. An industry report from Worldpanel ComTech6 highlighted that ownership volumes of refurbished smartphones have increased 70% in the two years to December 2023, and predicts that 14% of smartphones sold over the 2024 Christmas period will be refurbished/used (across the European five markets.) Global inflation and consumers’ shrinking budgets are boosting the second-hand market, too. In response, “retailers and manufacturers [will compete] to offer consumers greater value for their old devices to incentivise sales.”
As we move into 2024 and beyond, businesses within the electronics industry will seek to find a balance between the fast-paced product innovations needed to stay relevant, and a more considered, sustainable approach to manufacturing.
If your business ships products containing batteries internationally, there are some important regulations you will need to comply with to ensure they arrive there safely and without delay.
DHL Express has all the tools to help your SME ship to customers seamlessly, wherever in the world they may be:
The electronics sector moves fast – you need a logistics partner who can keep up! With a DHL Express Business Account, you’ll have support from the experts as you navigate all aspects of international shipping.
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