Almost as if it were picked straight from a George Orwell novel, smart cities are the future - but not in the way you may think. Orwell was onto something when he suggested that future cities of our planet would host an all-seeing eye that aims to track and scrutinize human interactions. Fortunately, the reality of smart city technology has fallen short of big brother mutiny against humanity, revealing instead a less dramatic tale of an interconnected city built with digital technology to assist citizens’ safety, security, and well-being.

Often overlooked, glass is of infinite value to humankind. So, when the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 2022 as the International Year of Glass, it felt monumental. Glass, a humble material, finally gets the recognition it deserves.

The concept of the metaverse is not a new phenomenon: the term was first documented in Neal Stephenson’s science fiction novel Snow Crash, published in 1992. The novel outlined a 3D virtual world accessible through virtual reality display goggles, where individuals roam a cityscape as avatars. The term has circulated in sci-fi and gaming circles since, but it wasn’t until Mark Zuckerberg renamed Facebook to Meta in 2021 that the Metaverse became an immediate possibility .

As our team relishes in the world of manufacturing at IMTS this week, we here at BCC Research are following the trend. Greg and Joel are observing the event, looking out for exciting innovations and insights from the industry.

Smart home tech is finally breaking into the mainstream. CCTV streams and automated energy controls are a few of the technologies revolutionizing homes. The main appeal of these technologies is the level of control they grant consumers. Given the global energy crisis, sky-high inflation, and the critical threat of climate change, increased popularity isn't exactly surprising.

IMTS is in full swing, which means manufacturing is taking centre stage over in Chicago. The team from BCC Research are on the show floor at IMTS, gaining valuable intel on the latest industry innovations. Today and tomorrow, they’re attending the Additive Manufacturing Conference. Here, they’re taking an applications-based look at the machines, materials and methodologies that are shaping the current manufacturing landscape.

Long before the dawn of the digital age, Hollywood gave rise to the fear that one day, robots will become too intelligent for their own good. At a glance, these fears are valid – particularly when you look at the vast innovations and developments taking place across the industry. Humanoid robots have an abundance of intelligence and the extent of the tasks they are programmed to complete is growing. However, it’s important to remember that these robots aren’t built for mass human destruction. Rather, they provide a window to the future of technology, where robots may become fully integrated into humanity.

As our team takes to the show floor in Chicago for the highly anticipated IMTS, our focus at BCC Research is on all things manufacturing. Hoping to connect and be inspired by industry professionals around the world, Greg and Joel are meeting clients, attending conferences, and immersing themselves in the annual event.

The manufacturing industry is a primary focus at BCC Research this week, as our team takes to the IMTS show floor in Chicago. With valuable intel on the latest in manufacturing innovations on display across the event, Greg and Joel are meeting clients, attending conferences and dropping in on stands to get full coverage of what is shaping up to be an exciting event.