ISMR February 2022 | Page 16

FOCUS ON TECHNOLOGY

THE FUTURE IS NOW

ABI Research ’ s new 2022 Trend Report identifies industrial and manufacturing market trends that will deliver , as well as those that won ’ t , this year .

“ We highlight selected trends from this wide-ranging report that directly impact manufacturers .”

In its new white paper , “ 70 Technology Trends That Will — and Will Not — Shape 2022 ”, ABI Research analysts identify 35 trends that will shape the technology market and 35 others that , although attracting huge amounts of speculation and commentary , are less likely to move the needle over the next twelve months .

“ The fallout from COVID-19 prevention measures , the process of transitioning from pandemic to endemic disease , and global political tensions weigh heavily on the coming year ’ s fortunes . This white paper is a tool for our readers to help shape their understanding of the key critical trends that look set to materialise in 2022 as the world begins to emerge from the shadow of COVID-19 . It also highlights those much-vaunted trends that are less likely to have meaningful impact in 2022 ,” said Stuart Carlaw , Chief Research Officer , ABI Research . “ The year 2022 will be challenging , but it also holds great promise and great opportunity .”
In this article , we highlight a selection of the trends in this new report that are set to impact manufacturers in 2022 .
WHAT WILL HAPPEN IN 2022
The rise of digital twin marketplaces
Spending on industrial digital twins will grow from US $ 4.6 billion in 2022 to US $ 33.9 billion in 2030 at a 28 % Compound Annual Growth Rate ( CAGR ).
Manufacturers need a range of capabilities to deploy digital twins , including Computer- Aided Design ( CAD ) modelling ; connectivity ; cloud computing ; Industrial Internet of Things ( IIoT ) software platforms ; remote monitoring ; hardware for shop floor workers ( tablets , AR glasses ); physics-based simulation ; ML and systems integration . Digital twins are not a technology , but a composition of solutions aimed at bridging the physical and digital worlds , from design to simulation , manufacturing , assembly and after-sales service and support .
5G comes to robots and drones .
Over the last few years , digital twins have grown from a concept to become mainstream with the help of IIoT dashboards and near-realtime reporting . This level of maturity has been accompanied by new thought constructs , such as the use and implementation of AI at scale , changing requirements like the need for model libraries and standards bodies , and , soon , the emergence of digital twin marketplaces that enable Independent Software Vendors ( ISVs ) and other third parties to build relevant tools for the ecosystem . These tools are essential for continued value creation and the wider democratisation and adoption of digital twins .
Automation to address labour shortages / profitability issues
Continued labour shortages , the desire for contactless purchasing and delivery and expansive e-commerce with declining delivery windows all lead to the need to supplement human labour across the supply chain through autonomy and robotics . Cost also plays a role with > 50 % of shipping costs associated with last mile delivery alone , putting further pressure on margins .
Software automation is needed to address the complexities of fast-changing demand and omnichannel fulfilment , along with its impact on variations to locations , materials and resources . Robots , cobots and automation software will grow out of necessity across the supply chain from factory to fulfilment , retail , road and pavement . Governments will continue to allow a variety of autonomous form factors to proliferate , based on the factors above .
Acceleration of digitised supply chain transformation
Digital supply chain transformation efforts will ramp up . Companies that have been putting it off will now make it a priority , primarily due to global supply chain disruptions . The disruptions , which are mostly driven by the COVID-19 pandemic , have left many supply chains unprepared to react to significant disturbances that are occurring on a global scale . Demand uncertainty combined with supply volatility will continue to challenge companies in achieving targets and delivering business results .
There is now a sharp awareness among executives that disruptions can happen at any time and that supply chains need digital solutions to make them agile and
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