Covering Disruptive Technology Powering Business in The Digital Age

Written By: Terrence Lim, Managing Director for ASEAN and Pacific, Hexagon Manufacturing Intelligence

Consistent with the global push to increase digital transformation, integrating smart manufacturing and smart electronics into the very core of the manufacturing industry is poised to yield unparalleled results. The significant impact demonstrated by the adoption of technology trends, particularly in the ASEAN region, has shown that smart electronics are essential for manufacturers to thrive in a dynamic and competitive market. According to the 2023 Technology Industry Outlook by Deloitte, the tech industry faces challenges and opportunities, particularly in supply chains, workforce, and innovation, influenced by macroeconomic and global uncertainties.

As evidence continues to build of a correlation between these dynamic industry trends and the creation and protection of long-term value, the manufacturing industry is at an inflection point. Apart from accurate and high-calibre electronic components, the industry’s focus lies in empowering makers. By unlocking efficient, optimised, and flexible product lifecycles with data, our goal is to deliver the value impact that the industry is counting on to transform manufacturing sectors across the ASEAN and Pacific regions.

To date, our technology suite has played a pivotal role in supporting the development and manufacturing of 75% of all smartphones produced annually. As an integral partner for global electronics OEMs and contract manufacturers spanning consumer electronics, electronic assembly services, telecommunications, semiconductors, and more, our technology platforms further reinforce the link between innovative technology application and sustained economic value.

Bringing the power of data to every part of the electronics product lifecycle has enabled our OEM partners to cut costs, accelerate design and engineering processes, shorten lead times, and better integrate supply chains. Taken together, this commitment collectively empowers manufacturers to innovate, build, and scale with confidence.

The Rise of Smart Manufacturing in the Digital Age

Setting the stage for a substantial economic shift, the rise of smart electronics displaces outdated processes and improves efficiency, mirroring the explosive growth of generative AI (Artificial Intelligence), another prominent theme across various industry sectors.

Smart manufacturing consists of dozens of discrete transitions involving industries such as aerospace, automotive, and consumer electronics. Oftentimes, these transitions are often tightly connected, with overlapping value chains and technological innovations.

For example, the global consumer electronics market, valued at USD $738.75 billion in 2022, is projected to grow steadily, reaching USD $1,239.40 billion by 2030. This growth, driven partly by the integration of advanced technologies in consumer electronics, sees Asia Pacific as a significant contributor, with major players like Samsung, Panasonic, and LG leading the way. These advancements extend beyond consumer goods to manufacturing processes, where technology integration is key to efficiency and innovation.

As a leader of the smart manufacturing shop floor transformation, the seamless integration of AI and data analytics is set to revolutionise smart manufacturing. Perhaps most intriguingly, various industries have recognized this potential and are actively developing smart electronics solutions to diversify their operations and secure future revenue streams.

“As evidence continues to build of a correlation between these dynamic industry trends and the creation and protection of long-term value, the manufacturing industry is at an inflection point. Apart from accurate and high-calibre electronic components, the industry’s focus lies in empowering makers.”

For example, our collaboration with WayRay, a Swiss startup renowned for developing the first holographic Augmented Reality (AR) navigation system for cars, points towards a significant development. This particular innovation is set to grow the fastest among the current technology trends gaining traction.

By managing its entire R&D process, from product concept to prototype testing, WayRay has evolved from a startup into a comprehensive manufacturer of holographic optical systems, hardware, and software.

The company’s ability to optimise design parameters and minimise prototype testing has saved them significant time and resources. This is a prime example of how advanced simulation software can substantially improve product design and elevate customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, the partnership has empowered WayRay to expedite its design and prototyping process. It enables the company’s engineers to visualise and simulate design variations that were previously unattainable through physical measurement and evaluation. In practice, smart electronics in manufacturing not only provide technological upgrades to machine shops but also significantly enhance efficiency, accuracy, and productivity in various industrial landscapes.

Navigating the Smart Electronics Landscape

Applied in this context, smart electronics offer the broadest possible view of the intersection between Industry 4.0 and the ongoing AI revolution. This is exactly what an open digital reality platform, such as NEXUS has been designed to do. Our capabilities accelerate innovation in manufacturing by connecting people, technologies, and data. Quite simply, the platform breaks down barriers to innovation by eliminating data silos, thus supercharging manufacturing processes for a new era of efficiency and innovation.

Through our many case studies, we have found that fostering real-time collaboration and data sharing across various applications allows manufacturers to build more agile and resilient processes, facilitating faster innovation and higher-quality outcomes. It’s a prerequisite to drive real-time innovation, fluid collaboration across engineering disciplines and enable secure data exchange that was previously confined to silos.

However, to be truly effective in addressing challenges and scaling rapid technological evolution, the manufacturing industry needs to adopt sustainable practices. Our recent partnership with Altium showcases our shared vision for the future of the industry.

To this end, Hexagon and Altium will promote sustainable electronics design and smart manufacturing through our cloud-based digital reality solutions. This collaboration is a reflection of our unwavering commitment to digital transformation, which we believe is essential for future profitability and sustainability.

Vision for a Technology-Driven Future

As industries continue to innovate, the vision of a more efficient, sustainable, and technologically advanced manufacturing landscape becomes a closer reality. Ultimately, leading digital-ready manufacturers are innovating rapidly, allowing for broad-based experimentation and test-and-learn innovation. More often than not, the difference will be evident in the time it takes to bring their products to market.

In the longer term, however, improving operational efficiency is not the only goal. Fortunately, manufacturers can overcome these challenges by adapting to smart manufacturing practices, as demonstrated by a significant chapter in the anticipated USD $4.4 trillion economic impact of AI technologies.

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