Hardware Trends 2015

Smart watches and trackers, augmented reality, smart home devices,

robots and self-driving cars… technology is in the news and on shopping lists.

Hardware startups are on the rise across existing and new categories.

Will every object become ‘sentient’ and connected?

Will every object become ‘intelligent’ and autonomous thanks to onboard processing?

Sentient and connected trends• Falling prices and advances in computing, sensors, batteries and connectivity have ushered a wave of “sentient” objects.

• Those connected devices (smart watches, trackers, sensors…) largely rely on the computing power of smart phones, or the cloud.

New trends of sensors  • Differentiating and maintaining a competitive advantage is harder than ever as components are getting commoditized and products are global from day one.

• As a result, a flood of smart watches, activity trackers, filament-based 3D printers and toy drones are entering the market.

• The way out might be in new sensor technologies (non-invasive or embedded), design, software, AI and communities of users or developers.

• New applications in sports, preventive and personal health are creating emerging behaviors toward human augmentation.

Beyond consumer devices • Today, low-cost automation, 3D printers and robots are expanding to new industries and entering workshops, labs and homes.

• Drones have found applications in entertainment, imagery, surveying and exploring deliveries. • Desktop 3D printers have expanded to include materials such as metal, carbon fiber , glass and organic materials such as chocolate, skin and bones!