5 MARKET TRENDS DRIVING ENGINEERING DESIGN DEVELOPMENT

As we get ready to bid 2022 farewell, we reflect on 5 market trends driving engineering design development into the future.

One of the truly great pleasures of working at Simplexity is being part of so many remarkable projects that can change our world for the better.  2022 has been a year chock-full of interesting, award-winning, and noteworthy engineering innovations. Let’s take a look at 5 evolving market trends leading these innovations, and at some of the client projects driving the groundbreaking work in these fields.

1. Robots, robots, everywhere

Robotic applications have been expanding to include many unexpected markets this year. Client work included some really exciting precision robotic medical device applications, as well as hospitality, greenhouse monitoring, and construction markets, to name a few. One of the public projects that we can share is:

• Aivot, a general-purpose robot that leverages AI for fast-learning of repetitive tasks, offers a wide range of possible applications across hospitality, logistics, at-home applications and more.

2. Customizable Beauty Applications

According to Statista, global revenue in the Beauty & Personal Care market topped US$528.60bn in 2022 with ongoing 4.65% expected annual growth (CAGR: 2022-2027). Client work in the personal care space has expanded rapidly in recent years with a notable highlight gaining both public and industry attention:

• Preemadonna’s Nailbot was awarded the 2022 CES Innovation Award for their at-home manicure printing system. This application connects inkjet printing technologies with the giant fingernail customization craze. Read more about this very STEM-forward company and interesting product case study.

3. Food Automation and Delivery Innovations

Another growing marketspace of late has been food automation and delivery. From point-of-purchase experiences to on-demand delivery to robotic applications, food automation and delivery technology innovations abound. Drivers are consumer demands for convenience, labor costs and shortages, access and freshness, and expectations of gourmet, on-demand options.

• This animation and case study features an on-demand food automation vending machine that offers a cashless, touchless food delivery system. Development required reworking of firmware and software systems, review and rework of 10 different mechanical subsystems, electronics, motors, motor drivers, sensors and microcontrollers – with integration to a mobile app for restocking notifications as well!

4. Medical Devices: At-Home and Point-of-Care Monitoring and Hygiene

With global health concerns top of mind, medical device solutions are in high demand these days. From glucose monitoring to Covid-related applications for testing and safety, to at-home health screening and monitoring, recent advancements in medical devices leveraging smart, AI and other technologies promise improved safety and convenience for caregivers, patients and consumers alike.

• Sterifre Medical’s Aura provides point-of-care disinfection system through a touchless and effective solution, which minimizes the hospital waste produced by traditional disinfection approaches.

5. Biomaterial and Molecular Diagnostics Advancements

Demand for efficient and precise processing and library preparation of biomaterial samples is at an all-time high. As a result, advancements in molecular diagnostics applications and fluidics and precise microfluidics management continue. From rethinking consumables and library prep systems to portable Covid 19 virus detectors with lab level sensitivity and precision, a range of applications in this crucial market is evolving quickly.

• This generalized case study of a biomaterial analyzer highlights integration of biochemistry, fluidics, electronics and mechanics into a shoebox-sized form factor to deliver a unique, new product in this vital market space.

2023 and Beyond!

For a year that was full of unknowns and global concerns aplenty, it’s exciting to see that engineering innovation is continuing with ever increasing opportunities to apply design engineering in interesting and progressive ways. Putting two sayings together in a single sentiment, “to engineer is human” and “the only constant is change” – so, needless to say, it will be exciting to see what innovations and market trends gain even more acceleration next year!