The world of technology is ever-changing, with new innovations changing the landscape seemingly every year. Over the past year, we’ve seen a dramatic shift towards tools designed to facilitate the rapid acceleration into the digital age, with artificial intelligence, virtual and augmented reality all shaking up the status quo and signalling the start of a new era for the online world.
Driven by the increased uptake of remote working, shopping and socialising and the ever-growing demand for digital means of entertainment, we can expect to see digital technology continuing to advance in 2022. Here are some of the top trends to keep your eye on.
Enhanced search optimisation
Search optimisation remains a central focus for brands and business, and in the new year, we’re likely to see search and discovery strategies ramp up and become more sophisticated than ever. After nearly two years of disruptions and upheaval in light of the ongoing global pandemic, the battle to remain top of mind amongst customers is key to staying afloat, and with a range of new and exciting techniques just waiting to be taken advantage of, 2022 is the year of levelling up.
Digital twin technology
Digital twin technology is perhaps one of the most exciting advancements to have come to light in recent years. Enabling real-time, virtual representations of physical objects and processes, the concept initially originated from NASA and today, it allows for the elimination of the time and cost of developing complex products by providing simulations which can be tested, tweaked and refined prior to embarking on the real-life version.
Advancements in GPS tracking
For companies that rely on an operational fleet of vehicles to function, security has always been a concern, and GPS tracking has long been seen as an essential tool for keeping tabs on each vehicle’s whereabouts. Should one be stolen, they can be quickly and easily located, and the information passed to police, thus giving business owners peace of mind that their investment is protected. But the latest advancements don’t just facilitate security; they also allow companies to monitor their drivers – from how quickly they are completing their jobs, to how well they are driving – and in a world where competition is fiercer than ever, they’ll be leveraging these new capabilities more than ever as we head into 2022.
Optimisation for hybrid working
As the pandemic rages on, hybrid working is becoming the norm, with more brands, businesses and entrepreneurs operating through a mixture of remote and face-to-face. Even after the current situation is behind us, it’s likely that remote working will, to some degree, remain a mainstay in our professional lives, allowing businesses to cut costs and affording employees a greater sense of work/life balance. With some staff members in the office and others logging on from home in your office, new technology solutions and space redesigns will continue to facilitate the switch, and we can expect to see a flurry of new innovations coming over the horizon.
Workplace automation
And that’s not the only change we can expect to see in the workplace. Artificial intelligence has been a key trend for the past couple of years and has been slowly but surely transforming various elements of business, with customer service, in particular, dramatically elevated through quicker response times and 24/7 support. In 2022, it will continue to make its way into retail and hospitality, and from autonomous order fulfilment to self-serve kiosks, the possibilities are endless.
Continuing digital transformation
As we move increasingly into the digital age, it’s becoming clear that there is no going back, and over time, we’ll see the relationships between our digital assets continue to grow and improve as we move towards a more streamlined approach to every element of both our work and personal lives. Blockchain technologies, which are best known for their facilitation of cryptocurrencies, are up-levelling security and authentication, and in 2022, we can expect to see them being used for more and more, adding a new layer to the ever-changing world of technological innovation.
