Powering progress for 2025 and beyond

Marking a quarter of the way through the century, 2025 represents a checkpoint for many global manufacturing and sustainability goals. But how close are we to meeting them? And how can a better connected, custom IC-driven world enable future advancement?

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2025 has been cited as a landmark year, with several global goals using it as a checkpoint ??

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Let’s assess the state of key targets, the hurdles still ahead and the advanced technologies driving progress.

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The big switch to EVs??

One of the most ambitious goals for the next decade is transitioning to EVs — crucial for reducing carbon emissions and combatting climate change ??

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Despite challenges like limited battery range, inadequate charging infrastructure, and supply chain bottlenecks for critical materials like lithium, the transition towards EVs is progressing.

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According to the Global Electric Vehicle Tracker, every one in seven cars sold worldwide by mid-2024 was fully electric. Popularity is growing due to:

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?? Advancements in battery technology and the integration of advanced sensors, enable features such as tyre pressure monitoring, optimised battery management and assisted braking.

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??Governments across the globe have also incentivised the shift with subsidies and investments in charging infrastructure.

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A greener future??

Achieving carbon neutrality is a defining goal of the 21st century.

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A decade ago, the Paris Agreement established a critical goal of limiting global warming to below 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels and for global carbon emissions to peak by 2025 ??

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However, recent data shows that fossil fuel emissions continue to rise. In response, at COP29, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced an ambitious update to the UK’s previous nationally determined contributions (NDCs) committing to an 81 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2035, compared to 1990 levels, by transitioning towards renewable energy ?

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Smarter manufacturing ??

Industry 4.0 has revolutionised manufacturing by integrating automation, AI and the Internet of Things (IoT).?

This year’s State of Smart Manufacturing Report by Rockwell Automation revealed that 95 per cent of manufacturers are already using or planning to use smart technologies, including:

??Robotics, which are poised to advance beyond the automation of repetitive tasks to dynamic problem-solving.

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??????Sensor-enabled digital twins — virtual replicas of physical systems — are anticipated to accelerate as a tool for predictive maintenance and system optimisation.

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?? AI-driven energy management solutions are also emerging as key innovations, helping factories lower their carbon footprints while improving efficiency.

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By combining cutting-edge technology with sustainable practices, Industry 4.0 will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of industrial efficiency and environmental responsibility.

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Making sensors smarter ??

Sensors play an increasingly critical role in meeting sustainability objectives while continuing to innovate industrially.

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However, the choice of underlying hardware for sensor interfaces is paramount to meet the demands of fast-paced, high-precision applications.

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Application Specific ICs (ASICs) are the superior choice for advanced sensor-based applications, offering advantages that standard ICs cannot match, such as:

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???Precise functionality and unmatched efficiency

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??Ability to combine analogue and digital capabilities into a single, mixed-signal design

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??Minimised size and complexity from consolidating multiple components into one compact chip, making them ideal for space-constrained and embedded applications

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With ambitious goals ahead, advancements in sensor-based systems powered by ASICs will be critical for developing safe, more efficient technologies and shaping a connected and sustainable world.

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Swindon Silicon Systems offers a full turnkey service for custom mixed-signal ASICs for demanding applications. To find out more, get in touch with a member of the team today.