Digital Lifescapes

Embodied AI is shifting industrial robotics from precise to perceptive — from rigid automation to adaptive execution in messy, variable production environments. For manufacturers and logistics providers, this isn't just a technology upgrade; it's a structural change in how work gets organized and business value gets created. Industrial robots have long excelled in static workflows: automotive assembly, fixed production lines, repetitive tasks. Where variability or human interaction arose, they stalled or required prohibitive engineering. Embodied AI Market Development Embodied AI changes this by closing the "sim-to-real" gap. According to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research, AI-augmented robots have reached genuine adaptive automation with tangible ROI for early adopters. The shift rests on robust algorithms — particularly Dynamic Policy Adjustment and robotics foundation models — that learn and adapt in real time rather than following hard-coded rules. ...

Retailers are forging ahead in adopting artificial intelligence (AI) tools to master the increasingly complex world of supply chain management. According to the latest ABI Research market study, more than 90 percent of global retailers are deploying AI to bolster decision-making and optimize operations. This movement underscores a pivotal transformation: retail supply chains evolve from static cost centers into intelligent systems capable of real-time adaptation. Driven by pressures from fulfillment complexity, labor challenges, and rising customer expectations, AI now sits at the heart of next-generation retail strategy. Retail Supply Chain Market Development Traditionally, retailers have struggled to balance speed, cost efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Now, the combined forces of e-commerce growth and ongoing geopolitical disruptions have amplified this challenge. Warehouse congestion, longer lead times, and volatile demand forecasts have underscored the need for predictive and...

The rise of quantum computing has been heralded as a game-changing technological leap, promising to solve complex problems far beyond the reach of traditional powerful computers. However, it's becoming clear that the future of high-performance computing lies not in quantum alone, but in a hybrid approach that combines the strengths of quantum and classic systems. According to the latest market study by Juniper Research , there are challenges facing pure quantum computing and solutions developed to bridge the gap between its potential and realistic applications. Quantum Computing Market Development Juniper Research forecasts that quantum technology commercial revenue will grow from $2.7 billion in 2024 to $9.4 billion by 2030. This growth trajectory underscores the interest and investment in quantum technologies across various industries. The path to widespread adoption is not without obstacles. One of the most significant challenges is quantum decoherence, where systems lose their ...

Intelligent fleet tracking of commercial vehicles requires online connectivity tools and management software, which enables fleet managers to track driver behavior, as well as vehicle location and route. Asset tracking solutions enable enterprises to track cargo from dispatch to final destination -- with increased transparency and more accurate delivery dates. Commercial logistics is the activity of transporting those goods to customers and involves the tracking of related assets. The Fleet Tracking and Logistics market is now driven by the introduction of new technologies. Edge computing brings computation and some data storage closer to the location where it is needed, therefore improving response times and reducing communication network latency. Fleet Tracking and Logistics Market Development Edge computing is the fusion of cloud-based storage and local computing, where the cloud stores centralized data assets, while locally-connected devices can perform the real-time comput...

Applications for the Internet of Things (IoT) are helping to transform the global cargo sector. According to the latest market study by Berg Insight, the number of active tracking devices deployed for cargo loading units -- including trailers, intermodal containers, rail freight wagons, air cargo containers, cargo boxes and pallets -- reached 6.1 million worldwide in 2018. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.3 percent, the number of devices is expected to reach 20.4 million by 2023. Cargo Tracking Market Development Trailer telematics is today the most developed market, followed by tracking devices for general cargo applications and intermodal containers. The markets for rail freight wagon and air freight cargo tracking are considerably smaller but will grow substantially during the coming five years. The total market value for trailer and cargo container tracking solutions reached at the same time an estimated € 857 million in 2018. The market for remote trac...

With supply chains becoming increasingly global, complex, and competitive, the role of new business technology will be essential as companies attempt to drive greater efficiency, visibility, and intelligence throughout their operations. As a result, CIOs and CTOs need more information and guidance to understand the application of transformative technologies and how they will impact the supply chain now and in the future. Over the next 5 years, revenues generated by technology in the global supply chain will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 11 percent, reaching $440 billion by 2023, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. Supply Chain Automation Market Development Suppliers, manufacturers, retailers, and logistics service providers (LSPs) will continue to adopt increasingly sophisticated and impactful digital technology strategies to deliver value along the entire logistics value chain. Combining both technologies and services, the supp...

As more organizations in different industries consider emerging applications for robotics technology, new business models for vendors are also envisioned. Robotics-as-a-Service (RaaS) is an elastic concept. It refers to robotics systems providers that in addition to selling products, will now rent or lease their product to customers as a full-service solution. Though the total market continues to grow, competitive pressure on robotics vendors to maintain profit margins means that they'll have to broaden growth opportunities beyond selling robots as products. Following a recent worldwide market study, ABI Research highlights the potential of RaaS in unlocking the next phase of robotics adoption. Robotics Market Development Overall, ABI Research estimates that the installed base for RaaS will grow from 4,442 units in 2016 to 1.3 million in 2026. The yearly revenue from RaaS providers is expected to increase from $217 million in 2016 to nearly $34 billion in 2026. "This w...

The emerging market for Internet of Things (IoT) technology is expanding. In particular, industrial automation and industrial robotics -- a subset of industrial automation -- continue to evolve after decades of growth globally. According to the latest market study, new advancements are pointing to further upside potential. Several manufacturing technology trends are converging, forcing a change in how all kinds of products are made worldwide. Robotics, big data, cognitive computing and other elements of industrial automation are making Advanced Manufacturing a reality in 2017. Industrial Automation and Robotics Market Development ABI Research forecasts industrial automation control and field device shipments will surpass 55 million units in 2017, and grow to reach approximately 146 million units by 2025. This will translate to $298 billion in industrial automation device revenue by 2025, with $45 billion attributed alone to robotics. Industrial robot shipments -- a subset of in...

The augmented reality (AR) market in industrial industries, specifically the logistics and manufacturing sectors, will reach an inflection point in 2017 and grow by more than 400 percent over the previous year, according to the latest worldwide market study by ABI Research. This momentum will continue into 2018 with shipments expected to jump from 440,000 in 2017 to more than three million. Given the current growth trajectory, industrial AR shipments are now forecast to reach 16 million by 2021. This adoption will occur as large multi-national companies -- such as Boeing, DHL, GE, and Shell -- complete trials of the technology alongside the support of device manufacturers and platform vendors. Augmented Reality Market Development "Many companies see the potential value of AR within the space, and while a level of misunderstanding surrounding the technology and its capabilities can cause challenges, trials will allow workers to test and understand the benefits of the techno...

Wireless technologies are adding new fuel to the emerging Industrial Internet of Things (IoT) market. As an example, ultra-wideband (UWB) indoor location technology that's used for logistics apps is ready for substantial market growth. According to the latest market study by ABI Research, there's a significant emerging opportunity for the high-accuracy, low-cost ultra-wideband radio technology in industrial and IoT markets -- with total revenues to reach $15 billion by 2021. “High-precision UWB technologies are nothing new, with companies like Time Domain, Ubisense and Zebra Technologies being long-established vendors in the RTLS/asset tracking market," said Patrick Connolly, principal analyst at ABI Research . UWB Technology Market Development ABI analysts believe that while it's true that UWB is able to perform well in challenging RF environments, the cost/accuracy trade-off previously limited this technology to very niche applications. But now startups are i...

During 2016, commercial vehicle applications of sensor technology will drive more use cases for the Internet of Things (IoT). As market demand grows, vendor merger and acquisition activity will continue, as a catalyst to combine the most compelling technology and services foundation for ongoing market development. The number of active Fleet Management (FM) systems deployed in commercial vehicle fleets within Europe was 4.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2014. Growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 15.1 percent, this number is expected to reach 8.90 million by 2019, according to the latest market study by Berg Insight. The vendor activity over the last twelve to eighteen months has been remarkable. A group of international aftermarket solution providers have now emerged as leaders in the European fleet management market. TomTom Telematics was the fastest growing vendor in 2014 and has climbed to the number one spot in Europe, ahead of Masternaut. TomTom has about 450...

Internet of Things related technologies can be applied to add automation and analytic intelligence to legacy industries that may have lacked significant new innovation in decades -- take passenger and freight train logistics, as an example. TechNavio Research has studied the Global Smart Railway System market. Their report analyzes the diverse market trends and growth opportunities pertaining to the rail transportation industry in the coming years. According to the TechNavio market assessment, smart railway system comprises solutions, devices, components and services that automate or otherwise optimize the usage of railway infrastructure to carry out advanced functions. It has several key components such as passenger reservation and information systems, freight operations information systems, railway traffic management, operations and asset management, IP-based security monitoring, communications, ticketing, and railway analytics. "Within the Railway industry, the need to ...