Once the domain of science fiction novels, robots are poised to transform a broad range of different industry categories in the coming years. Here are just a few key examples — covering the uses of robots today and in the future — based on reports by several market research firms.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is becoming a critical part of modern warfare. Compared with conventional systems, military systems equipped with AI are capable of handling larger volumes of data more efficiently. Additionally, AI improves self-control, self-regulation, and self-actuation of combat systems due to its inherent computing and decision-making capabilities.

Smart manufacturing is a powerful disruptive force with the potential to restructure the current competitive landscape and produce a new set of market leaders. Companies that are slow to adopt new technologies and processes could be left behind.

According to a market research report by BIS Research, the Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology market was estimated at $50 million in 2017 and is estimated to reach $8.23 billion by 2027.

In its US Freight Transportation Forecast publication, the American Trucking Association (ATA) has estimated that freight transport in the US will grow to 20.73 billion tons by 2028, a growth of 36.6% from that of 2017 numbers (15.18 billion tons).

Sports analytics change everything related to professional athletics: recruiting, play, coaching, and marketing. The ability to see change at a granular level gives more control to those managing players and teams.

Actually, farming robots are already here. But the upcoming generation of robotic systems is capable of creating changes that will reverberate throughout the world. We are about to experience a “perfect storm,” as agricultural robots draw on artificial intelligence, big data, ubiquitous low-cost sensors, and autonomy to help deliver on a vision of Precision Agriculture that will both benefit us all and fracture business models and employment. 

The world is moving beyond standalone networks, systems, and devices into a new era in which virtually everything of value is connected. The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to this concept of connectivity in which real-world “things” (electronics, equipment, appliances, and other assets) communicate with each other and also with computing resources for purposes of monitoring, recording, and controlling things.

The global fingerprint sensors market is expected to hit $12.82 billion by 2023, growing at a CAGR of 15.7%, according to a new market research report by BIS Research titled Global Fingerprint Sensors Market, Analysis, and Forecast 2017-2023. The massive proliferation of smartphones on a global scale, the increasing adoption of biometrics by various governments and law enforcement agencies, and the provision of second or third level security with the fingerprint authentication devices are driving the tremendous growth of the market.

Cloud computing allows end-users to utilize a network of remote servers hosted over the internet to store, manage, and process data instead of relying on a local server or system. With the emergence of cloud-based technologies, the retail industry has undergone tremendous transformation.