The automotive and healthcare markets are interesting opportunities for flexible, hybrid and printed electronics. There are many similarities between the fields, not least of which is that printed electronics has been a part of each of these fields for quite some time.

In the automotive sector, printed electronics have been used for conductive heaters for seats and rear view defrosters, among other items. We have also seen in-mold electronics (IME) parts and OLED taillights. Now, new IME parts are coming into play, offering improved connectivity, lower cost and less weight. We are seeing more displays and touch screens in development. It takes time and effort to get approval for new products, but significantly, Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers are now actively collaborating with flexible electronics suppliers. In “New Opportunities in the Automotive Industry,” starting on page 11, leaders offer their insights into this fast-growing field.

Much like the automotive market, healthcare is a field that takes time to gather approvals. Printed glucose sensors, a billion-dollar market, is an early success story for printed electronics. However, we are now seeing all sorts of new products, from sensors to wearables, which provide real-time monitoring with less invasive approaches. In “Flexible Electronics in Healthcare,” starting on page 14, flexible electronics specialists offer their insights into the expanding healthcare segment.

RFID has continued its own growth trajectory in recent years, with retail being a key business sector. In “RFID and the Future of Retail,” which begins on page 16, major RFID suppliers talk about the importance of connecting brand owners and consumers, and above all, knowing what is in inventory. After all, if the store can’t find the product the consumer is looking for, the consumer will walk away with no sale and a feeling of disappointment and will find the product somewhere else.

All of these examples show how flexible and printed electronics are changing the way that we live, and with new innovations seemingly coming every day, there are many more examples to come in the future.