Times are Changing. Who’s Navigating?

It’s been stated that, “The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”

Change is inevitable, and sometimes, change can be downright spectacular.

Just look at the hottest startups over the last couple of years. Have you ever wanted your very own hand-picked personal butler to do your busy work or someone to pick up your packages, shop the best carrier, wrap them, and send them out? Yes, me too.

Soon, we’ll have access to rechargeable batteries that take 200,000 charge cycles (the typical lithium battery dies after about 6,500 charges). What made the difference? The use of gold nanowires suspended in an electrolyte gel after coating them with manganese oxide. Okay, it’s a little more complex, but still super-cool, right?

It all boils down to value, efficiency, and convenience. That’s the sexy side of invention.

Now, let’s take a look at major advances. Technological change ranks at the top of innovative breakthroughs. Sometimes these creative ideas are the answer to global sustainability issues while others are based on bettering our lives or improving the way we do business.

In 2015, the World Economic Forum’s Meta-Council on Emerging Technologies drew on collective expertise to identify the ten most important technological trends to “raise awareness of their potential and contribute to closing the gaps in investment, regulation, and public understanding…” The compiled list included: fuel cell vehicles, next-generation robotics, recyclable thermoset plastics, genetic engineering technique, additive manufacturing, emergent artificial intelligence, distributed manufacturing, “sense and avoid” drones, neuromorphic technology, and digital genome.

In production, additive and distributed manufacturing innovations top my list of being the most impactful to clients. However, we’re not talking a one-size-fits-all approach. While distributed manufacturing reduces the amount of capital needed to create prototypes and initial products, studies show that “traditional manufacturing and supply chains [would] still have to be maintained for many of the most important and complex consumer goods.”

Who’s navigating your business through the maze of manufacturing options? I’m always on the lookout for new technologies that can improve the production process and save our clients time and money. Call me today to set up a manufacturing review session. We’ll discuss your product and explore cost-saving manufacturing opportunities.

Tad, 651-379-6409.