Congress Presentation Highlights the 50 Most Innovative Technologies in 2013

Up to 85% of technologies developed globally never reach the business setting. Business personnel and investors need to closely assess the potential of a specific technology platform to determine the real market potential it has and to assess the risk-reward fundamentals.

Fifty of the most innovative technologies worldwide were recently presented at GIL (Growth, Innovation, Leadership) 013: Europe—The Global Community of Growth, Innovation, and Leadership annual congress, held in London (UK), presented by Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA, USA), an international growth consultancy firm. During the congress on May 14, 2013, Frost & Sullivan’s practice director for technical insights, Europe, Ankit A. Shukla, presented a unique research platform called “TechVision 2020: A Systematic Innovation Serendipity Engine.” This research revealed the 50 most innovative technologies set to considerably transform industries, strategies, and businesses in 2013.

The chosen technologies that were discussed at the congress extended across nine sectors--health and wellness, medical devices and imaging technology, advanced manufacturing and automation, sensors and control, materials and coatings, clean and green environment, information and communication technology, microelectronics, sustainable energy--and represent the majority of R&D and innovation activity today.

“Apart from identifying the top 50 technologies for 2013, our global technology team has identified various convergence opportunities enabled by a combination of the technologies. We believe these identified opportunities represent exciting times ahead for the multitude of industries and markets they will impact,” remarked Mr. Shukla.

Convergence opportunities can be found across various industry segments. One of the most thought-provoking ones is self-healing organs. Several years ago, this was just a topic for science fiction literature and movies; now it can be accomplished by the merging of the following technologies: carbon fibers, polymer chameleons, three-dimensional (3D) printing. The combination of these technologies will cut the amount of tissue rejection and also the presence of polymer chameleons that can be modified to self-heal in case of injuries and wear and tear.

Another example is interactive augmented reality (AR) that can be enabled for predictive remote patient monitoring. Capabilities converging in this case are information and communications technology (ICT) technologies (augmented reality; cloud computing; Big Data analytics; data visualization) and sensors (ubiquitous wireless sensor network; nanosensors and CBRNE [chemical, biologic, radiologic, nuclear, and high-yield explosives] sensors). The combination of selected ICT and sensor technologies could provide personalized disease management tools that help better manage predicted symptoms, chronic illness, and episodic acute disorders.

TechVision 2020 showcased each selected technology, carefully evaluating the potential of a given technology platform to understand the true market opportunities, while evaluating the risk-reward fundamentals. It appraises technology maturity and adoption ratings, possible year of impact and patent landscape, examines private and government funding trends, and examines future technology and application roadmaps. Furthermore, more interestingly, the output evaluated future convergence opportunities as well as the next leaps in innovation that will have a lasting impact on industries and markets.

“In order not to remain in the ‘Valley of Death,’ investors have to understand the potential of their technology and the true value it can bring. Innovative products are different; they are not in compliance with existing standards. Sometimes, revenues are not so obvious and ROI [return of investment] can take more time. The important aspect here is to educate end-users and society about the benefits innovative technology and products can bring,” summarized Mr. Shukla.

Related Links:
Frost & Sullivan
GIL 2013-Global Community of Growth, Innovation, and Leadership Congress