Cross-Industry Synergy In Electronics, Automotive And Aerospace

Head of Disruptive Research & Technology, Senior Vice President at Airbus.

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Nowadays, industries must adapt and innovate rapidly to remain competitive in an increasingly interconnected world with fast-progressing glocalization. As a result, cross-industry collaboration and learning have become essential drivers of innovation, fostering unique opportunities to share knowledge, limited resources and expertise. As someone who has actively driven innovation in consumer electronics at Qualcomm, automotive at Siemens VDO/Continental, and aerospace at Airbus, I have gained valuable insights into the innovative ecosystems of these industries and their potential for cross-industry learning and collaborations.

Consumer Electronics, Automotive And Aerospace

The consumer electronics industry is characterized by its agility and rapid pace of innovation, often operating on a two-year cycle. At Qualcomm, I focused on end customers and creating a new market, constantly iterating and experimenting with new technologies and business models. This customer-centric and technology-driven approach enabled us to remain at the forefront of innovation. Consumer electronics companies are technology and marketing-driven and often engage in various business models, making them IP sensitive and open to experimentation. In addition, they actively collaborate with startups, research institutions and other technology-driven organizations, creating a productive ground for groundbreaking innovations.

While at Siemens VDO and Continental, I was involved in the automotive industry's transformation toward electric, connected and more digital vehicle platforms. Historically a cost and process-driven industry with a cycle of about seven to 10 years, automotive is shifting to a more vertical and technology-driven approach. As tier-1, I collaborated closely with OEMs, like, e.G., Porsche, BMW, AMG and other tier-2 suppliers, to develop new technologies, mostly embracing a build-to-print model pushed top-down by OEMs. In addition, the automotive industry has also started to embrace the digital revolution, incorporating advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, machine learning and always connected cars with sustainability remaining as a primary focus.

The aerospace industry has very long product cycles, counted in decades. Similarly to other industries, the current emphasis is on sustainability, digitization, connectivity and autonomy. In addition, this industry is developing aerospace-specific technologies and is also adopting technologies from consumer electronics and automotive sectors to accelerate innovation.

Consumer electronics excel at speed and agility, allowing companies to respond quickly to market demands. Automotive and aerospace can partially adopt this approach to accelerate innovation and better address customers' needs, especially around digital innovation. Safety and regulatory compliance are paramount in the automotive and aerospace industries, shaping their approach to innovation. While consumer electronics companies face fewer regulatory constraints, they can benefit from learning about risk management and robust design practices. Capital intensity varies across these industries, with aerospace requiring significant long-term investments. Consumer electronics and automotive companies can learn from the aerospace industry's focus on long-term value creation and strategic acquisitions.

Cross-Industry Innovation

To drive cross-industry innovation, companies should build and nurture innovation ecosystems that promote collaboration, enabling them to tap into external resources and expertise. Embracing open innovation and actively seeking external partnerships can lead to new ideas, technologies and business models, helping companies overcome challenges and stay competitive. One way to foster these partnerships is by collaborating with startups through venture client units, which facilitate the integration of innovative solutions from startups into large organizations. This approach allows companies to access cutting-edge technology while startups gain valuable experience and customers.

Hybrid organizations combine the agility and innovation of startups with the resources and scale of large companies. They can also help speed up innovation across industries. By adopting a hybrid organizational structure, companies can create an agile environment that encourages experimentation and rapid learning, ultimately driving innovation in consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace sectors.

Cross-industry collaboration enables the transfer of technology and expertise, leading to innovative applications and solutions across sectors. Managing intellectual property, technology licensing and data sharing is critical for successful cross-industry collaboration. Companies must establish clear guidelines and legal frameworks to protect their interests while promoting open innovation.

Innovation strategies can be shaped by drawing inspiration from the unique approaches of each industry. For example, the consumer electronics industry's rapid adaptation to changing customer needs and embracing new business models can be applied to other sectors. Likewise, the automotive industry's focus on process optimization and cost-efficiency can help streamline operations and make new technologies more accessible. Meanwhile, the aerospace industry's emphasis on safety and long-term planning can help mitigate risks and ensure the responsible development and implementation of new technologies with long-term impact, e.G., in the area of sustainability.

A robust governance structure that supports and nurtures innovation is essential for organizations across industries. This includes setting up dedicated innovation teams, providing resources and incentives, and establishing clear communication channels between different departments and stakeholders. Organizations should also encourage cross-functional collaboration, which can lead to breakthrough innovations by combining expertise from various fields.

The convergence of industries creates opportunities for talent mobility, enabling professionals to transition between sectors and organizations to attract talent from other industries. This cross-pollination of ideas and expertise can foster the development of innovative solutions that address shared challenges.

Unity Through Collaboration

Cross-industry learning and collaboration, especially now, are vital for driving innovation in consumer electronics, automotive and aerospace sectors. By adopting the best practices and lessons learned from each industry, companies can navigate the challenges of sustainability and digitalization and remain competitive in the fast-changing global market. The experience in these industries has shown that the power of cross-industry innovation is enormous. When harnessed effectively, it can lead to exceptional growth and progress in addressing global challenges, paving the way for a more sustainable, digital and connected world. Furthermore, by integrating strategies such as venture client units and hybrid organizations, companies can further accelerate their innovation efforts and maximize the potential of cross-industry collaboration. Companies should also consider forming consortiums or industry alliances to collectively address shared challenges and develop new industry standards.

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Organic Electronics: Ingredients For Innovation

Today, the word "organic" is used to describe everything from fruits and vegetables grown without pesticides to eco-friendly paint, sustainable clothing, and even electronics. According to the Organic and Printed Electronics Association (OE-A), the leading international industry experts in this area, electronics that go beyond the classic silicon approach fit into a growing category of "emerging electronics."

The OE-A defines this new breed as a blend of organic, polymer or inorganic materials used to create electrical components that are ultrathin, lightweight, flexible, robust and produced at a low cost. At this year's Consumer Electronics Show, game-changing products using smart and stretchable electronics were showcased alongside major mobility, digital health and IoT innovations.

In the automotive market, in particular, flexible hybrid electronics, combining printed and traditional ultrathin, silicon-based electronics, are making major inroads. Late last year, Cadillac announced that its 2021 Escalade would sport the first curved OLED (organic light-emitting diode) display in the automotive industry. Featuring twice the pixel density of a 4K television and supplied by LG Electronics, this major technology breakthrough uses plastic OLED-based digital technology to provide two infotainment screens and an instrument panel to display a wealth of audio, video and navigation content. 

This futuristic display not only sets a new standard for the automotive industry, but it unlocks a wealth of opportunities for television screens, computer monitors, smartphones, game consoles, human machine interfaces for appliances, etc. The promise of emerging electronics to transform entire industries is palpable, but fulfilling its potential requires equal and heaping measures of ingenuity and perseverance.

Beyond Moore's Law: Flexible Hybrid Electronics

For more than a half-century, advancements in electronics have been measured by Moore's Law and the theory that the number of transistors on a microchip doubles about every two years. When printed electronics first emerged decades ago, some industry pundits predicted the premature end of Moore's Law while others argued printed electronics wouldn't survive because early applications for low-cost RFID and flexible LCD displays failed.

With RFID, printed electronics couldn't scale sufficiently to meet performance demands. They also didn't prove cost-competitive for LCD applications, especially given the rapid descent of traditional LCD pricing. Following these two strikes, there was a time when printed electronics seemed like nothing more than a good idea that did not pan out.

Luckily, designers and engineers are a stubborn bunch, so learnings from the first failures to commercialize printed electronics helped fuel continued exploration and collaboration. The result? The perfect blend of printed, flexible and ultrathin, silicon-based electronics — more commonly known as flexible hybrid electronics (FHE).

With FHE, product designers can flex their creative muscles in new and exciting ways. Evidence comes in the surge of new products and applications that leverage thinner semiconductors and rubbery, stretchable plastic substrates, like elastomers used for rubber bands. This unique combination is transforming just about every industry sector while producing breakthroughs in wearables, consumer packaging, smart-home appliances, energy products and more.

FHE is a great example of three technologies coming together as an expansion — not a replacement — of Moore's Law. It's important to recognize that one technology isn't cannibalizing or competing with the other. Rather, FHE makes it possible to apply the best attributes of peaceful coexistence.

Technology in Harmony

In a world of near-constant disruption, it's a big deal when technologies work in harmony. For starters, old design rules are readily challenged, and restrictive processes are replaced with a free flow of ideas among inventors and product designers. An interesting push-and-pull process typically ensues, as one side tests conventional wisdom while the other pulls back based on technical limitations, adoption friction or commercialization concerns.

A great example of the symbiotic collaboration between product and manufacturing engineers comes from a project our company worked on with Recovery Force, a leader in wearable compression technology for blood-clot prevention. The company developed shape-changing memory fibers that could be embedded into garments and footwear for therapeutic compression. The trick was ensuring the wearable technology was rigid enough to include pulsating wires, yet flexible enough to be comfortable for wearers as they moved.

Engineers and product designers from both companies embedded electronics into textiles while ensuring optimum functionality, durability, comfort and convenience. While it can be difficult to strike the right balance among these criteria, FHE is a major ingredient in the innovation formula.

Another prime example is in the use of fluid-level sensors in auto-replenishment systems for consumer packaging. Low-profile, conformal labels can turn standard product labels into smart packages that monitor quality, temperature and freshness while automating reordering.

Other examples include Myant Inc.'s Skiin Connected Health & Wellness System and PassiveBolt's Shepherd Lock. Myant's conductive wearables connect to its Skiin app, allowing people to monitor their health throughout the day, and PassiveBolt's smart door locking system allows a homeowner to monitor a lock and access the lock remotely.

A New World of Experiences

Thanks to FHE, product designers can drive substantive advances in human-machine interfaces, which will drive massive improvements in smart appliances and other similar products. Just think of the possibilities: A VR/AR game can enter a new dimension with haptics technology

In the future, flexible hybrid electronics could function like "wonder tape." Just peel off a section and apply it where needed to create the perfect recipe for a bounty of innovation.

Engineering Plastics Power Innovation In Consumer Electronics

The market for engineering plastics in electronics applications is seeing good growth—in fact, according to a business report from MarketsandMarkets, it is projected to be valued at $115.10 billion by 2023. I can't say I'm surprised. I attended the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas for several years, and it is a wonderland of plastics applications. The annual event is currently underway in the city that really never sleeps through Jan. 10.

HP Inc. Hit the CES show floor running with its introduction of a variety of new PCs, displays and accessories, including the world's first notebook and sleeve made from ocean-bound plastic materials.

"We are passionate about creating devices and computing experiences that lead us into the future and enable more freedom in how the next generation creates, consumes content and collaborates," said Alex Cho, President, Personal Systems, HP Inc.

While plastics are taking a hit for consumers' use-and-toss attitude, plastic materials continue to offer greater functionality for electronic devices. HP's Elite Dragonfly is connected securely with 5G and has smart signal technology to boost antenna performance. Privacy mode can be activated with the press of a keyboard button to instantly block prying eyes from viewing the screen. Best of all, HP's Elite Dragonfly reportedly is the world's first notebook made from ocean-bound plastic material; also, more than 82% of the mechanical parts are made from recycled materials.

Sustainable accessories offer users the opportunity to participate in helping create useful products with plastic waste and ocean-bound plastic, one of HP's big initiatives. The HP Renew Sleeve is created with knit recycled plastic bottles and knit-to-shape with minimal manufacturing waste.

Additionally, the HP Renew series of accessories include a backpack, top-load tote and slim brief made from 100% recycled PET, or plastic bottles.

Lenovo unveiled full details of its revolutionary foldable PC at CES. ThinkPad X1 Fold is the first fully functional PC with a folding OLED display. Designed to offer unprecedented productivity, it offers a ground-breaking new form factor that will re-imagine mobile computing, said Lenovo in its announcement. As it "morphs" through multiple modes, from a small footprint device into a fully flat 13.3-inch display, X1 Fold will deliver laptop efficiency with smartphone portability, added the company.

While no information was available on the type of plastic used for the foldable screen, a report from plastemart.Com noted that new polymer grades, additives and fillers have been developed to meet thin-wall, high-temperature requirements in electronic devices.

"Plastic electronics, based on inherently conductive polymers and flexible substrates, will herald a new era in the electronics industry," said the report. In the future, we can expect to see "roll-up displays used with computers and mobile phones," as well as flexible films, new materials such as carbon nanotubes and organic molecules with semi-conducting properties that "will enable a new generation of plastic electronic displays for cell phones and other portable devices."

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