Smart Products, Connectivity and IoT
The Internet of Things allows physical objects to collect data and share it with a minimum of human interaction. Intelligent or connected products are linked to the Internet in order to share information with each other, about their environment or their users. Connectivity enhances the user experience and allows for better decisions regarding operating costs, reliability or downtime.
Transportation electrification and autonomous driving systems
Electric vehicles, innovative energy-efficiency and conversion solutions, and freight transportation have become priorities in the global green economy. The electrification of transport facilitates the development and operation of autonomous driving systems. Automated passengers are not a new concept, as many metros already operate without drivers. technology evolutions allow us to explore different avenues for these technologies .
3 User-Centered product design
A multidisciplinary approach is required to design a product. Several factors are taken into consideration in order to make sure that the final product meets the requirements of the end user. Products intended for public use must be intuitive, and meet the needs of their users. The user experience must be the focus of product development. Ergonomics should also not be overlooked.
The ergonomics of a product can have a major impact on determining the choice made by the customer. It must be easy to use and comfortable. All of these factors ultimately affect quality, cost, and delivery time.
Four User Assistance
In this area, as well, there is a continual evolution, with new functionalities being developed for the benefit of users. This includes parking assistants and suitcase openers in the automotive industry. Who hasn’t visited an immersive exhibit in the culture and entertainment field? virtuality reproduces a sensory event with sight, sound, touch or smell, while enhanced reality incorporates virtual elements into a real-world environment. voice assistants have become a part of our everyday lives, thanks to the use of technology and cell phones.
Conversational agents (commonly known as chatbots), are harder to detect and only useful for conversing briefly with people, giving the impression that they were conversing directly with them. They are able to identify keywords and retrieve answers with a pre-programmed pattern. Problem diagnosis is becoming easier, whether through direct feedback from users or data collected by IoTs. The data collected will be used to develop future product generations.
Evolution of Manufacturing Processes and Materials
Take automation to a new level. Laser projections can guide operators’ work in the factory. Or a robot arm could work in harmony with them. New composite materials and new mechanical assembly or bonding processes can also be used to improve production tools and ease the task of operators. Product life cycle management is evolving and plays an important role in helping manufacturers to develop new products at a lower cost, with a quicker time to market.
6 Factory 4.0 and Automated Manufacturing
Nearly half of all manufacturing companies in Quebec (46%) have begun to incorporate digital technologies within their operations. All Canadian companies, Quebec included, still lag behind in terms of international competitiveness.
digital technology is more reliable and cheaper. This makes it the perfect time to create products for the factory in the future. The advent of digital technologies—the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and collaborative robotics—allows companies to connect their resources (people, software, equipment, etc.).
Preventing problems like production stops, equipment breakdowns and non-conformances. Smart manufacturing has many benefits: increased productivity, advanced monitoring and maintenance, better work opportunities, improved durability, and operational efficiency.
7: Digitization in Product Development
In the last few years, digitization has increased dramatically in the design and engineering processes. 3D models become more detailed, including electrical drawings and detailed harnesses. Simulators are increasingly being used in conjunction with physical tests or advanced functions. 3D scanning and 3D printing are frequently used for prototyping. The digital model, in short, is becoming more and more real to save time and to improve performance.
The combination of new technologies and materials in 3D printing with the vast amount of data available from datafication is paving the path for generative design to reach its full potential. Although finite element methods, optimization, and other tools are not new in product development, However, using more efficient algorithms and artificial intelligence produces amazing results.
8. Digital Twins
The digital twin technology is gaining popularity in the market. A digital twin is an accurate digital model of an object, system or implementation. Simulations can help us understand how objects behave in the real world, but they cannot reproduce this behavior accurately. Digital twins, which use real-time data to show an object’s life cycle and exact relationship with reality, can address more issues than simulations.
9- Collaboration Platforms
Collaborative work has been widely adopted. Its aim is to develop collective intelligence in companies. It also allows for the analysis and exploitation of work instructions on a digital and connected basis. This allows for more fluidity in the workplace by centralizing, updating and making this information available in real-time. The result is better creativity, more time saved, higher productivity and improved wellbeing at work.
Think Outside the Box
Innovation and creativity go hand in hand when it comes to identifying new opportunities. Your ability to connect your ideas is crucial for creativity. You cannot be creative without taking risks and being willing to leave your comfort zone. This requires energy and effort. The first step towards success is to think outside of the box.