Many buzzwords are flying around when it comes to the future of the tech business world and, in the end, very little gets done or applied to concrete use cases. So why do we and why should we care so much about tech innovation? Is it just hype and novelty that keeps us hooked on the latest news about another company that tried something with AR, AI, IoT or another new tech acronym? The sense of possibility? Or maybe striving for efficiency gives us a sense of control in a world that is volatile and uncertain. There is no one size fits all kind of answer to these questions, but still, they’re worth pondering from time to time. And since we’re at it, why not pair this little introspection with some of the best articles on tech innovation out there?  Welcome to week 5 of our roundup. Enjoy!

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How AR will transform manufacturing

Augmented Reality (AR) has shifted from a hype to a real game changer in many industries. In Manufacturing Business Technology, Brian Ballard presents five major trends for enterprises to watch. Many large manufacturers – according to Price Waterhouse Cooper one in three – are closing off the pilot phase and are integrating AR and VR (virtual reality) in their transformation strategy. Don’t stay behind

Going green with virtual power plants

Virtual power plants (VPPs) enable us to integrate several types of small and often sustainable power sources (small-scale wind power plants, photovoltaics, hydroelectricity, batteries, to name but a few) to give a reliable overall power supply. At the heart of a virtual power plant is a centralized cloud-based data control center that manages the distribution of electricity. There are still some technological hurdles to clear, but as VPPs get smarter, they will offer an increasingly effective solution to our towering demand of power. VPPs are the stepping stone to a future where we can rely on many small sources of renewable energy to quench our thirst for electricity. Sydney Spaulding shares his green foresight in Gensuite. Read more.

Blockchain reinvents mobility

Major carmakers such as BMW, Ford, General Motors and Renault (with a global market share in vehicle production of over 70%) have just created a brand new consortium with Bosch, Accenture, and IBM in order to explore how blockchain reinvents mobility. Operating as MOBI (Mobility Open Blockchain Initiative), IndustryWeek reports, they will investigate how the new technology can help make mobility safer, cheaper and more accessible. MOBI seeks to collaborate with the broadest possible group of stakeholders: governmental and non-governmental organizations, academic institutions, start-ups and technology firms from around the globe. Read all about MOBI’s ambitions.

Bye bye, mouse and keyboard

For almost half a century now, we communicate with our computers using mouse and keypad. Are you ready to say goodbye to your faithful office companions? You’d better prepare yourself, according to Luke Dormehi in Digital Trends. The first thing you’ll probably think of is their replacement by your voice or gesticulations. (Just for one second imagine your office full of blabbering colleagues waving their arms in all directions – you think of this as progress?) But there’s more to come, with an interface that connects your thoughts directly to your computer. Discover 7 ways new ways to talk to machines.

Tune in next week for more exciting tech news. Subscribe to stay informed. Comments, questions, want to share a must-feature article? Click on the social media icons above this post and get in touch!