Drones have transitioned from experimental tools into essential infrastructure across agriculture, logistics, energy, security, and public-sector operations. According to the newly released IDTechEx report "Drones Market 2026-2036: Technologies, Markets, and Opportunities", the global drone market, including consumer, commercial, and defense platforms, is projected to grow from approximately US$69 billion in 2026 to US$147.8 billion by 2036, corresponding to a 7.9% CAGR.

IDTechEx forecasts that the global sensor market will reach $250B in annual revenue by 2036, as global mega-trends in AI, future mobility, wearables, edge computing, and automation drive renewed growth opportunities. Next generation sensor technology innovations in quantum sensors, ADAS sensors, image sensors, MEMS, photonic integrated circuits, and printed sensor markets will be key to realizing the highest growth opportunities over the next decade.

Despite a year of critical material supply disruptions, technology mega-trends in decarbonization, electrification, automation and AI continue to fuel demand for high-performance rare earth magnets. IDTechEx forecasts that rare earth magnet demand will reach 332 ktpa by 2036 and breaks down usage and adoption trends in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics growth markets.

Robotics are becoming increasingly integrated into all main aspects of driving and the automotive sector as a whole. This article covers some of the main uses for robotics in vehicle operation and manufacturing processes, including radar for safety, and humanoid robots for assembly.

IDTechEx's Sensors report provides extensive analysis of the global sensor market, including 58 company profiles and insights collected from over 20 related sensor reports. Summarizing IDTechEx's extensive sensors report portfolio, this research contains over 35 sensor technology SWOT analyses, 24 technology readiness level roadmaps, material requirements and supplier information across future mobility, IoT, wearables, biomedical, edge computing, environmental sensing and more.

'Robotics' takes on many different forms today. This article explores the way cars could pre-empt a driver's needs and make coffee-stop decisions en route, to humanoid robots operating in warehouses and cobots assisting humans in production lines.

2025 has yielded massive jumps in autonomous vehicle technology, both in hardware and software. IDTechEx's report, Autonomous Driving Software and AI in Automotive 2026-2046: Technologies, Markets, Players, forecasts a more than 1,000 times increase in software-related revenue for autonomous vehicles from 2026 to 2046.

Join IDTechEx Senior Technology Analyst Yulin Wang on Thursday 2nd October for 'Thermal Interface Materials: TIM1, TIM1.5, TIM2 - 3.2x market size increase from 2025 to 2036', a webinar that will dive deep into the evolving world of TIMs, exploring how these materials are shaping the future of thermal management across diverse applications. Choose your preferred time zone - the webinar runs three times during the day.

Webinar: Trends, Technologies and Outlook for Rare Earth Magnet Supply and Demand Presenter: Dr Jack Howley, Technology Analyst, IDTechEx Date: Tuesday 16 September 2025

Robotics is a multifaceted technology sector presenting many capabilities to expand into a variety of applications, from automotives and warehousing and logistics, to domestic functions. This article explores some of the latest developments across humanoid, collaborative, and mobile robots.

IDTechEx forecasts that the market size of thermal interface materials (TIMs) will exceed US$7 billion, covering multiple industries including EV batteries, EV power electronics (TIM1 and TIM2), data centers, advanced semiconductor packaging (TIM1 and TIM1.5), ADAS sensors, consumer electronics, and 5G. Find out more in this new article by Senior Technology Analyst Yulin Wang.

This report provides an in-depth technical analysis of thermal interface materials (including TIM1/TIM2/TIM1.5) for EV batteries, power electronics, advanced semiconductor packaging, space and satellite technologies, data centers, EMI shielding, 5G, ADAS, and consumer electronics. 10-year granular area (m2), mass (kg), revenue (US$), and TIM unit price (US$) forecasts are given by application. The report covers recent developments in TIM fillers, high-performance TIMs, successful commercial uses, and historic TIM player acquisitions and partnerships. The report also identifies future TIM trends.

Co-habiting or working alongside robots with humanlike capabilities may no longer be a thing of science-fiction. This article covers humanoid robots, collaborative robots, and vehicle autonomy, as well as the use of AI software within robotics.

High-performance rare earth magnets are set to remain critical materials in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and robotics applications, despite a climate of intensifying supply risks, price pressures and export restrictions. As new rare earth supply chains emerge across the USA, Europe and Asia, IDTechEx characterizes growth opportunities presented for rare earth magnet technologies - from separation and refining to magnet production and recycling.

Making the call to order a coffee on-the-go could be the new normal for vehicles fitted with in-cabin sensing features and artificial intelligence systems. This article explores the future of software-defined vehicles and increasing levels of autonomy.

The brand-new report provides comprehensive analysis and benchmarking of rare earth magnet technologies, including neodymium magnets and samarium-cobalt magnets. Manufacturing innovations and trends in design and integration of rare earth magnets into electric motor, energy generator, and actuator applications are discussed, along with global rare earth magnet supply chain capacity, expansion plans and the emerging magnet recycling market.

Automation levels from 1 to 5 can be seen in almost all types of vehicles manufactured today. This article explores the primary shifts happening between levels 2 and 3, and the automation landscape globally.

In this video, IDTechEx analyst Yulin Wang talks you through the state-of-play of humanoid robots.

Collaborative robots (cobots), driven by AI, machine vision, and modular designs, are revolutionizing smart factories by enhancing human-robot collaboration, achieving 95%+ accuracy in tasks, and targeting a US$29.8 billion market by 2035.

Smart glasses could create real life subtitles for clearer interactions, while helmets for firefighters or policemen with sensing technology could make high-risk jobs safer. This article explores a future of accessible technologies to bring ease to daily life.