From tariff impacts on the supply chain to advanced satellite innovations, ABI Research’s latest whitepapers shed light on the transformative forces shaping the global technology landscape in 2025. This blog highlights 10 must-read publications this year, each offering unique insights and strategic guidance across manufacturing, connectivity, smart infrastructure, and more.
Robots are a cornerstone of a smart factory, automating a wide range of manufacturing tasks that are monotonous, physically straining, or even hazardous. However, real-world robotics deployments have not lived up to the revolutionary potential the industrial sector originally envisioned. Robot implementations are typically confined to specific applications, carry high costs, and are time-consuming. A recent ABI Research Industrial and Manufacturing Survey of 458 decision makers indicates that skill shortages and time constraints hinder roughly 9 in 10 manufacturers’ ability to implement and scale new technologies. These challenges serve as the impetus for industrial organizations to seek digital tools that simplify the creation of automation workflows.
The automotive industry in 2025 faces a convergence of political, economic, social, technological, legal, and environmental disruptions that threaten its stability and growth. As vehicle Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) contend with everything from international tariffs to labor shortages and shifting consumer behavior, maintaining competitiveness will demand agility and a digital-first mindset. This blog unpacks the major automotive industry challenges in 2025 and offers insight into how manufacturers are turning to technology to survive and thrive.
New import tariffs introduced by the United States are shaking the pillars of a longstanding status quo in international trade. All countries will have to pay a 10% tariff on goods shipped to the United States, with rates going higher for countries with larger deficits. Not only is China in this latter group, but nearby Southeast Asian countries—critical to offshoring from China—are also impacted. A notable example is Vietnam’s 46% tariff rate, which will potentially disrupt Apple’s diversification strategy. Needless to say, the global supply chains that manufacturers have been accustomed to for decades are being uprooted, at least for the short term.
Will Artificial Intelligence (AI) redefine manufacturing, or is it just another tech buzzword? At Hannover Messe 2025, ABI Research analysts saw AI and Generative Artificial Intelligence (Gen AI) on full display. Practical applications are demonstrating efficiency gains, robust autonomous capabilities, and operational resilience. Their new cousin, Agentic AI, has also emerged as a key facilitator for digitally transforming the factory floor. Agentic AI is the brains behind fine-tuned copilots that enhance anything from inventory management to industry-specific Product Lifecycle Management (PLM). However, manufacturers remain skeptical about Agentic AI, and vital infrastructure considerations are still in discussion.
Digitalization in manufacturing is redefining operational efficiency and resilience, yet it’s not always so clear how digitally transformed manufacturers are. To get a better understanding of how technologically advanced manufacturers are, to date, ABI Research conducted the second edition of its Manufacturers’ Technology Adoption & Attitudes Survey, published in March 2025. It draws insights from 458 decision-makers across the United States, Germany, and Malaysia. The six revelations shared in this blog highlight key trends and challenges shaping manufacturing digitalization, offering strategic guidance for industry leaders and technology vendors.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used in a variety of ways across oil & gas operations, from asset tracking and predictive analytics to data management. Oil & gas operations generate massive amounts of data—up to 2 terabytes daily in some cases. Human analysis can only uncover so much, leaving numerous opportunities in the shadows. By deploying AI software tools, this disparate data can be used to bring new insights to light. These tools identify drilling opportunities, streamline processes, and optimize performance.
The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a transformative period. Technological advancements are enabling unprecedented operational efficiencies and revealing previously hidden revenue opportunities. At the same time, manufacturers must contend with the baby boomer exodus, curb rising cyberthreats, and meet climate regulations.
Industrial machinery suppliers are faced with the tall task of pushing the innovation envelope, while keeping production costs at bay. Customers require machines that unlock new use cases, but at the same time don’t necessitate significant training time for employees. To strike this balance, suppliers should strongly consider the adoption of immersive engineering solutions powered by Extended Reality (XR) hardware. As ABI Research already pointed in a recent blog post, cloud-based XR platforms foster greater collaboration between engineering and design teams, reduce error rates, and accelerate the design review process.