As we enjoy the warmer weather and look forward to brighter days, it is a great time to reflect on the exciting innovations around the corner. Here at Prepr, we continue to look forward to new tech trends in some of the most critical sectors: manufacturing, healthcare, retail, education and mobility.
HEALTHCARE: IMMERSIVE TECHNOLOGIES
The healthcare industry has been changing drastically with the constant technological improvements that are happening throughout the world. With immersive technologies on the rise within this industry, many healthcare professionals are turning towards utilizing AR, VR and MR to support the process of training medical personnel and better providing care to patients. To learn more about how immersive technology is evolving the healthcare industry, read this blog post by The Healthcare Insights.
MANUFACTURING: SMART FACTORY INITIATIVES
The manufacturing sector has long been interested in implementing smart factory initiatives to increase organizational efficiencies. According to the 2022 Manufacturing Industry Outlook report by Deloitte, “In 2022, 45% of manufacturing executives surveyed expect further increases in operational efficiency from investments in industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) that connect machines and automate processes.”
MOBILITY: MOBILITY-AS-A-SERVICE SOLUTIONS
Getting from one place to another can differ for every individual with the various modes of transportation available. Therefore, a current trend in the mobility industry is utilizing mobility-as-a-service and offering solutions to those who are in need of transportation. Statista states, “By 2025, the MaaS market is expected to exceed 230 billion U.S. dollars worldwide.”
RETAIL: AUTOMATED TECHNOLOGY TO HANDLE LABOR SHORTAGE
While online shopping continues to grow in popularity – consumers still say they prefer to shop in-store. To meet the demand of consumers shopping in store, many retail stores are now turning towards utilizing automated technology to handle labour shortages. According to an article by Square, “To combat the increased complexity caused by the labour shortage, 72% of retailers are using, or planning to use, automation to decrease their team’s time on hands-on work.”
EDUCATION: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LEARNERS
As artificial intelligence continues to advance, many educational institutions are starting to use it to deliver a one-of-a-kind educational experience. According to a blog article written by UNESCO, “Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to address some of the biggest challenges in education today, innovate teaching and learning practices, and ultimately accelerate the progress towards SDG 4”. By implementing this technology into education learning programs, students can get the full immersive learning experience, increase information retention and strive for a higher level of student engagement.
FOOD: THE IMPACT OF NUTRITIONAL LABELS ON CONSUMERS
With the continual growth of consumers being more health conscious, many consumers are paying more attention to their eating habits by carefully reviewing nutritional product information before making a purchase. According to an article written by New Food Magazine, it mentions that “The vast majority (74 percent) of survey respondents agreed that front-of-pack labels with key nutrients (saturated fat, sodium, sugar) help consumers make more informed decisions.”
HOSPITALITY & TOURISM: FAMILY EXPERIENCE PACKAGE DEALS
As COVID-19 restrictions loosen, many seek to travel again with friends and family. As a result, a growing trend in the hospitality industry is consumers’ increased expectation for businesses to offer a one-of-a-kind experience for their families through a package deal. According to a report written by Destination Analysts, “When asked what experiences they would be prioritizing this year, three-in-four (76.2%) said the family experience would be either an essential or high priority.”
FINANCE: A MOBILE-FIRST EXPERIENCE FOR BANKING CUSTOMERS
With consumers striving to be more efficient with how and where they spend their time, many are turning towards choosing their primary bank based on what they can offer and the overall experience. According to an article written by DocuSign, it states that “Today’s customers anticipate that 61% of their business with banks will be digital by 2024.”
ENERGY: GROWING INTEREST IN BIOENERGY
The future of bioenergy is looking bright. As the search for innovative solutions to make a difference in the energy sector grows, bioenergy delivers many advantages and can make a significant impact in this industry. According to a Forbes article, “2022 will see an increase in projects looking at new methods of converting biological matter into energy, as well as practical applications for that energy.”