Investigating the effect new and innovative technology has, or will have, on the electronic interconnect industry is covered in this new research report, Impact of Disruptive Innovations on Electronic Interconnects. This nine-chapter, 198-page research report examines past and future growth of copper, fiber optic, and wireless interconnects, while discussing the effects new and innovative technologies will have on them over the next five years.
To a large degree, manufacturers of electronic connectors have taken their cue from leading original equipment manufacturers as they have defined their specific interconnect requirements. As a need arises at a leading OEM, the assumption is made that demand for a new product with an advanced feature will become broad-based. Research and development resources are applied, a new product is production tooled, and the anticipated sales growth curve begins. Over the years, the connector industry has made a number of significant leaps in technology, but most new connectors are the result of evolutionary not revolutionary development.
This report reviews the current state of copper, fiber optic and wireless interconnect technology, as well as identifies 10 potentially disruptive innovations currently in development, or the introduction phase, to determine the degree of impact these changes will have on the electronic connector industry. These include:
- Internet of Things
- Autonomous Electric Vehicles
- Wearable Electronics
- Additive Manufacturing
- Robotics
- Utility Scale Energy Storage
- Cloud / Fog / Mist Computing
- High-Speed Computing and Communications
- Augmented / Virtual Reality
- Artificial Intelligence
True innovation disruptors also have a tendency to create consequences well beyond their target market. Broad adoption of autonomous transportation in urban areas will change how people allocate resources and utilize living space while totally altering the energy, insurance and automotive assembly businesses. Continuing expansion of robotic and 3D additive manufacturing has the potential to eliminate millions of jobs resulting in serious social and political challenges. The Internet of Things is likely to evolve to the Internet of Everything where the majority of daily tasks are automated and personal preferences are satisfied to a degree never before possible.
The report also attempts to predict what new technical requirements may spur the interconnect industry to take a more proactive role in the development of interconnect technology that will be capable of supporting multiple next generation electronic devices.
What potential effect will new and innovative technologies have on electronic interconnects in the years to come?
- What does the future hold for copper, fiber, and wireless interconnects? Will one outpace the other?
- Which innovative technologies have the potential to drastically change the traditional process for new electronic interconnect development?
- Can existing connector design and manufacturing technology produce connectors that will satisfy future application requirements via sustaining innovation?
- Will the convergence of potentially disruptive technologies appearing on the horizon begin to obsolete many traditional interconnects as we know them?
- What new technical requirements may spur the interconnect industry to take a more proactive role in the development of interconnect technology?
Impact of Disruptive Innovations on Electronic Interconnects
TABLE OF CONTENTS