As we look to the next decade, several developments will reshape the electronics industry. From the integration of wearable, autonomous vehicles, and 5G connectivity to robotics and artificial intelligence, here are seven trends that can change how we use electronics in 2022 and beyond.
Wearable Electronics
The electronics engineering industry is experiencing a push toward wearable electronics. In addition, more and more devices are embedded in the fashion industry, such as smart watches, smart glasses, and fitness trackers. These products can help people with medical conditions by monitoring their heart rate or blood oxygen levels.
They also have other uses. For example, you can check the notifications on your smartwatch sent to you on your phone. All you have to do is connect the smartphone with your smartwatch via Bluetooth technology. You can keep tracking the messages and emails without checking them on the smartphone every time they’re received.
Wearable electronics are everywhere these days. As technology has become more mainstream, the demand for electrical engineers who can consult on wearable electronic products is growing. Here’s how an electrical engineering consultant helps with wearable electronics:
- They help with product development and prototyping.
- They provide technical support to end users.
- They provide production support and quality assurance testing services.
Autonomous Vehicles
Autonomous vehicles are the future and will be here sooner than you think. In 2022 and beyond, expect to see self-driving cars on the road. Autonomous drones will also be making their way into our lives as a part of everyday life, and don’t forget about autonomous boats. Drones can be used for several purposes, from sports entertainment to deliveries; they will change how we do business and live our daily lives.
The sensors and technology make autonomous vehicles safer. Autonomous trains are also likely on their way soon. They need some work done before they hit mass production. Planes aren’t far behind, either. If you haven’t seen one yet, they’re still being tested out in small controlled environments where they won’t hurt anyone.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and Big Data
IoT and Big Data are two of the most important buzzwords of our time. Of course, they’re also related, but what does that mean?
IoT is the network of physical devices and sensors that use embedded technology to connect to the Internet and each other. The IoT can be found in your home, car, and even on a wearable device like an Apple Watch or Fitbit. It monitors the temperature, location, traffic congestion, pollution levels, and more. It also creates new capabilities for machine-to-machine (M2M) communications.
Big Data refers to large amounts of data collected from multiple sources over time that are analyzed through computer programs called analytics tools. To simplify, let us take an example when you type something into Google search results or Facebook timeline posts, it’s analyzed based on how many times people have searched those topics before. This information helps provide users with better search results, so they don’t waste time looking for something obscure or irrelevant.
There are tons of benefits associated with these technologies. For example, using sensors in homes could help reduce energy consumption. In addition, IoT-connected vehicles could make driving safer because they would send out warnings faster than ever before. Finally, smart cities will lead toward cleaner environments because sensors will notify authorities immediately when something goes wrong.
5G Connectivity
5G connectivity is the next level of wireless communication. It’s so fast that you might not even notice it, but it will make a big difference in how you use your devices, how they connect and the Internet, and what they can do.
5G will enable faster speeds. The current 4G standard allows for up to one gigabit per second (Gbps). 5G can go much farther with theoretical maximum speeds reaching 10 Gbps per connection on low-frequency bands like 600 MHz or 2.5 GHz. It can go even higher if using a high-frequency millimeter wave spectrum. That means your smartphone could download a movie in less than a minute.
Robotics and Artificial Intelligence (AI)
AI will soon be used in manufacturing. The ability to automate the assembly line will continue to improve. It has been done since Henry Ford innovated his Model T car. The manufacturing industry will change as AI technology becomes more accessible to everyday consumers.
AI will be used in healthcare. As data collection and management continues to grow, so too do the possibilities for using this data in artificial intelligence methods of treatment and caregiving. Though some ethical questions remain around, like how much personal information should be made available for research purposes. Most people believe that AI is one way we can improve our health outcomes and lower the costs associated with them.
Robotics and AI are not confined to the manufacturing and healthcare industries. Instead, the market is way beyond the imagination. The global market of AI is estimated at more than $320 billion and continues to grow.
Automation Will Become a Lot More Widespread
Automation will become a lot more widespread. The days of automation being a niche tool for manufacturing companies are over. This technology is now being used in all areas of society, including the home, office, transportation, and healthcare. For example, in the healthcare industry, robots can perform surgeries on patients with minimal input from doctors or nurses.
Automation has been adopted by industries such as automobile manufacturing, where robots can perform tasks that humans cannot or won’t do because they’re dangerous or difficult. For example, robots can weld car bodies together much faster than humans and without the risk of injury.
Another reason why automation isn’t just limited to factories anymore is that it allows businesses to cut costs while also increasing productivity levels. By using robotics capabilities inside their offices or warehouses, companies can reduce their overhead cost considerably. They can reduce staff numbers while still meeting customer demands on time and at the same cost point planned out ahead of time within budget constraints.
Energy Harvesting
You may be familiar with the concept of energy harvesting or the way that some devices can gather or generate electricity from their environment. For example, solar panels are energy harvester that converts light and heat into electrical power. A thermoelectric generator is another example that uses temperature differences to create electricity.
Energy harvesting is a significant emerging trend in electronics because it allows your devices to operate without batteries or other external power. With this technology at your fingertips, you could potentially build various connected products, from wearable electronics to homes that operate entirely on self-generated electricity.
To Wrap it Up
Are we ready to face the future of electronics? There’s no doubt that the future of electronics will be full of revolutionary breakthroughs that will transform the lives we can only begin to imagine. From smart homes and cities to 5G networks, there are many exciting possibilities for how technology will impact our lives in 2022 and beyond.
