Flying vehicles are poised for innovation while disillusionment is setting in on autonomous cars. The 2019 Gartner Hype Cycle has identified 29 technologies set to have a major impact on society, business, and culture in the next decade. Sensing and mobility technologies dominated the trends this year as did AI and its related technologies.
We're taking a look at 10 of the most hyped technologies of 2019. Some are just gaining momentum as of this year while others are moving into disillusionment. For some there's the promise of practical, real world use cases. But others may fade out before they get there.
Here's a breakdown of the five stages of the Gartner Hype Cycle:
Innovation Trigger: A new technology has started gaining attention outside of academic and research circles but has yet to find a commercial footing.
Peak of Inflated Expectations: Essentially the peak of hype and excitement. This is when early adopters jump on board as the first success stories around a technology emerge.
Trough of Disillusionment: The honeymoon phase is over. Failed use cases emerge and risk-adverse companies begin to steer clear of a technology.
Slope of Enlightenment:Â Now that disillusionment has set in, a technology starts to find its real footing. There are fewer novel applications of a technology and more iterations on proven use cases.
Plateau of Productivity:Â The technology goes mainstream and its value and relevance to the market is clear and taking off.
Chris Wiltz is a Senior Editor at Design News covering emerging technologies including AI, VR/AR, and robotics.