CAMBRIDGE, England -- IDTechEx Research continuously interviews end users in a rolling research program that obtains insights into the drivers, needs and specifications for emerging technologies. Common trends regarding printed electronics, which were identified from interviews with end user companies with annual sales revenues totaling more than $400 billion, include:
• There are more end users than ever before actively pursuing printed electronics programs who have staff dedicated to the topic. This is being conducted at an innovation/research level rather than a marketing level.
• Many users see printed electronics adding value by enabling differentiated products and interactivity.
• Work is secretive as companies seek to create applicational intellectual property to provide a competitive edge.
• End users do not want to become integrators themselves, they want to see complete solutions or prototypes that they feel is currently lacking in the industry.
• The technical performance has fallen short of expectations, as has cost reduction: many are starting with simple devices, finding that more sophisticated devices are too complex right now.
• Simple functions are fine but reliability is important.
• Hybrid solutions are acceptable: the end device performance, form factor, sustainability and cost are the critical elements.
IDTechEx has found that firms are spending from a few hundred thousand to a few million dollars to fund the creation of printed electronics prototypes.
Leading end users exploring printed electronics, such as Hasbro, Diageo, Electrolux, Boeing, De La Rue, Abbott Diagnostics, Decathlon and Stora Enso, will present their needs and programs at the Printed Electronics Europe 2014 event. The conference and tradeshow, hosted by IDTechEx, will be held in Berlin, Germany on 1-2 April http://www.printedelectronicseurope.com/.
The event brings together end users with suppliers - where "pull" and "push" balance - to provide attendees with that critical insight into the driving needs for the technology, in addition to appraisal of all the key enabling materials, components and manufacturing processes.
The event also airs relevant progress in related technologies such as Wearable Technology, 3D Printing, Energy Harvesting and the Internet of Things, with presentations from companies including Cisco, Disney Research, Intel, GE Research and others.
For more information about IDTechEx, visit http://www.idtechex.com