IMAGINE

SOLVING THE WORLD’S

GREATEST CHALLENGES

MARGA HOEK
Designed cover image: Creative Studio Elise Laan

First published 2024

by Routledge
4 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX14 4RN

and by Routledge
605 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10158

Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an Informa business

© 2024 Margaretha Hoek

Research and editing:Theresa McCarty (chief researcher and editor), Lucy Wilde (deputy editor
and proof reader), Pascale Wojcik (assistant proof reader)
Project management: Rosalie de Kerf
Design and lettering: Creative Studio Elise Laan

The right of Margaretha Hoek to be identified as author of this work has been asserted in
accordance with sections 77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reprinted or reproduced or utilised in any form
or by any electronic, mechanical, or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including
photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, without permission
in writing from the publishers.

Trademark notice: Product or corporate names may be trademarks or registered trademarks, and
are used only for identification and explanation without intent to infringe.

British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data

A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Hoek, Marga, author.

Title:Tech for Good / Marga Hoek.
Description: Abingdon, Oxon; New York, NY: Routledge, 2024. | Includes bibliographical references.
Subjects: LCSH: Social responsibility of business. | Sustainable development. | Industry 4.0.
Classification: LCC HD60 .H6325 2024 (print) | LCC HD60 (ebook) | DDC 658.4/08--dc23/
eng/20230719
LC record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023027297
LC ebook record available at https://lccn.loc.gov/2023027298

ISBN: 978-1-032-49073-1 (hardback)

ISBN: 978-1-003-39206-4 (eBook)

DOI: 10.4324/9781003392064
TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
CHAPTER 1 CHAPTER 2 CHAPTER 3 CHAPTER 4 CHAPTER 5
TECH FOR ARTIFICIAL 3D PRINTING ROBOTICS ADVANCED
GOOD INTELLIGENCE MATERIALS
AND DATA
P. 9 P. 43 P. 77 P. 111 P. 147

4
CHAPTER 6 CHAPTER 7 CHAPTER 8 CHAPTER 9 CHAPTER 10
EXTENDED AUTONOMOUS BLOCKCHAIN SPACETECH SCALING TECH
REALITIES VEHICALS AND FOR GOOD
DRONES
P. 183 P. 217 P. 253 P. 285 P. 319

5
 PREFACE
This is a book of hope. It sets us on an inspirational course at this pivotal moment in time.The
hope of a bright and prosperous future steers us along our path and drives us to take positive
action. Crossing over the threshold into the Fourth Industrial Revolution, we have a choice to
make and a responsibility to decide how to use technology from here onward. My hope is that we
will collectively choose to use technology for good.

When we use technology as a force for good, we will fundamentally solve our world’s greatest
challenges. Hope is the foundation for shifting our thinking and it gives us the motivation to act.
Hope is the basis for catalyzing forward movement, enabling us to overcome fears that paralyze
progress because it seems too hard.

President John F. Kennedy had hope and his message was clear: big things are achieved not because
they are easy, but because they are hard. And now we have help in realizing these hopes.The help
of technology is our greatest ally in achieving our biggest goals. Ethically and responsibly applied
tech solutions are being scaled more quickly than ever before. Hope of technological advancement
is far-reaching throughout the world, even in remote areas.Technology for Good, as I and many
others word it, will be a defining factor of the next decades.

In writing this book, I discovered the world of tech to be far more expansive than I previously
understood. I was amazed with the wide range of Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and
their abilities to contribute to a better world for us all. From administering medicines in remote
areas to helping solve further biodiversity loss, from boosting our ability to mitigate climate change
to reducing food waste, and from providing access to education to fostering greater equality, the
list is long and touches all 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

By leveraging technology to solve our societal challenges, it has a true purpose. And as a
consequence, our own purpose deepens as well.That purpose comes with a prize - a business
prize - as I explained in my former book, “The Trillion Dollar Shift,” how Business for Good is
Good Business. And this applies even more to Technology for Good.With unprecedented access
to a wide range of advanced technologies that will create real value, we will accelerate sustainable
progress in a way we weren’t able to before.

6
This book is the result of three years of extensive research, writing, editing, and rewriting. I
can’t express enough my gratitude to the team that has been committed to making sure we
explain technologies in a way that is understandable and exciting. Identifying the impact advanced
technologies will have on our global challenges sheds light on potential growth markets with vast
business opportunities.There are 75 real-life business cases from companies all over the world,
which are presented as exciting examples of opportunities on how to apply Tech for Good.
My goal with this book is to expand your imagination through inspiration. My hope is that it
will raise your confidence to act and to create positive impact on the world with the help of
technology. My hope is that you will dare to appreciate technology and dare to imagine the
possible, instead of dwelling on the impossible. It is my hope that you do not see all the challenges
preventing you from action, but rather that you look at all the opportunities for success.

Einstein famously said, “the true sign of intelligence is not knowledge but imagination.” So, join me
in imagining what we can do. Imagine Tech for Good helping solve the world’s greatest challenges.
When we engage our mind, collaboration, investment and, most importantly, our perseverance,
we shall overcome the hurdles along our way.This journey is more than worthwhile. Our planet
and our people are at stake. And so is our business. By now,Tech for Good is a global movement.
Neither businesses nor any other entities have any reason not to join.
I hope you will join me in the Tech for Good movement.

7
 TECH FOR GOOD 1
TECHNOLOGY ITSELF IS NEUTRAL. IT IS THE
IMPLICATIONS OF TECHNOLOGY THAT COUNT,
RATHER THAN THE APPLICATIONS.
WE CAN DECIDE HOW TO USE TECHNOLOGY.
I SUGGEST WE USE IT AS A FORCE FOR GOOD.
TECH FOR GOOD.

9
 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine embarking on a journey into the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Along the way, we are
surrounded with a wide range of amazing, advanced technologies that can help solve the world’s
greatest challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss and poverty, while improving global health
and wellbeing. Imagine technologies transforming both business and the planet as we know it,
realizing what was beyond our imagination not too long ago.

As we leave the Third Industrial Revolution behind, our world remains endangered and
threatened. Global progress has come at a price; a huge price that the world cannot pay.We
have overstretched our planet and face extreme consequences.The challenges we are up against
are numerous, as the world battles climate risks, suffers societal inequalities, and experiences
biodiversity loss.

We have learned, matured, and chosen a renewed course of action.This new pathway, one moving
away from ever growing risks, points us in a direction steered by the steady compass of the
Sustainable Development Goals.These 17 Goals, agreed upon by 193 countries, are the guiding
principles that direct our journey in that new direction. Although there is movement toward a
better future for all, we are progressing too slowly, on a long journey, with a vast distance that
must be covered in so little time.

This book is about synergizing technology for global progress by employing it as a driver for
sustainable growth. Businesses have taken on this challenge and are paving the way for a sustainable
future. Companies with a positive impact can help lead the way. An astounding 69 of the world’s
100 largest economies by revenue are companies, not countries. Business has the influence and
power to lead, and therefore has the responsibility to do so. But how can we move faster to solve
global challenges? How can we innovate and create solutions at scale?

10
Imagine, for instance, how technology can restore our planet’s dying coral reefs. Advancements in
3D printing can help put a stop to it, and in some cases even reverse the damage inflicted on coral
reefs. Although technology doesn’t replace nature, it does achieve positive change. 3D printing
coral reefs is but one example of how we can use technology to restore and create a better world.
Tech for Good is your navigation into an exciting world. It provides you as a reader with a vision
for technology’s unprecedented potential to make business-positive impacts.

Tech for Good will take you on a journey all over the world, giving examples and providing insights
on the most up-to-date global business innovations. Tech for Good sets out to inspire you across
eight exciting technology groups, with a clear outlook on how to leverage tech to unlock new
markets.

Technology itself is not meaningful. It is the implications of technology that count. As humans, and
more specifically as business professionals, we have a choice to make. I suggest that we decide to
use technology as a force for good.We must work to restore trust in technology by using it to the
benefit of people and the planet.This vision is the foundation of Tech for Good.

Imagination is the key to discovering radical, new solutions. It does not mean we are naïve. It means
that we have the ability to work with what has been created by former industrial revolutions. It
means we can rise above, aiming truly to find solutions for the world’s greatest challenges.

We have so many technologies to help us on this mission.The movement is already there. Join this
global Tech for Good movement. Start your journey by reading this exciting book.

11
1 INTRODUCING
TECH FOR GOOD
The potential of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (referred to hereafter as 4IR) to address
major global challenges, including poverty, climate change, nature loss, and inequality, is immense.
Currently, we only tap into a fraction of this potential.The enormous promise of Tech for Good,
both for the world as well as for business, is clear.While moving over the threshold into the 4IR,
a wide variety of technologies emerges.These new tech applications make it possible to leverage
sustainable impact at scale, and at the same time seize exciting market opportunities.With a
purpose-driven approach to the way technologies are deployed, businesses will undoubtedly play a
crucial role in perpetuating worldwide progress.While fostering a shared value business model and
building trust in technological breakthroughs, businesses gain a competitive advantage.

Highlighting the 4IR as an unprecedented era, this chapter discusses the opportunities of the 4IR
and sheds light on numerous tech solutions.This chapter reveals an overview of the eight groups of
advanced technologies discussed in this book: Artificial Intelligence and Data, 3D Printing, Robotics,
Advanced Materials, Extended Realities, Autonomous Vehicles and Drones, Blockchain, and Space
Technologies.These techs are hugely important for business in the present and even more so in
the future.The Internet of Things (IoT) is discussed, as it forms the foundation for these eight
technologies. Offering a glimpse of what is yet to come, this chapter looks over the edge into the
abyss of rapidly expanding, unknown new tech solutions.

12
HUMANS IN CHARGE OF TECHNOLOGY IN A CHALLENGED WORLD
As the downsides of former industrial revolutions and economic systems are becoming increasingly
clear, humanity braces itself for tremendous changes that threaten to further destabilize societies
and the ecology of the Earth.With a world experiencing more pressing circumstances than ever
before, we need radical forward movement.The 4IR is the threshold of a universal shift marked by
digital, physical, and biological worlds combining technologies that create possibilities for a better
future. It also presents unforeseen risks.1 The Earth has never faced so many challenges with such
intensity at the same time. Shortcomings of industrialization and economic growth have led to
irreversible damage to people and the planet. Although unprecedented progress was achieved, it
came at a high price, and we are now living the aftermath in an “age of consequences.”2

Severe ecological disruptions like climate change, biodiversity loss and resource scarcity stand to
create an uninhabitable environment.These dire consequences leading up to the 4IR come with
a staggering cost, as trillions of dollars and billions of lives are at stake. Climate change could be
referred to as the greatest challenge of our time. It is not only an ecological problem, but equally
a social and economic problem.The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), a group
of experts convened by the United Nations, recently published Climate Change 2022: Impacts,
Adaptation and Vulnerability.3 In this extensive report, the IPCC doubled down on its warning to
the global community: if temperatures continue to rise, many parts of the world could soon face
increasing limits in how much they can adapt to a changing environment.The message is clear.

THE COST OF DISASTERS

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) and UN Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction (UNDRR), economic losses around the globe caused by severe storms and changing
weather patterns increased sevenfold from 1970 to 2010, disproportionately impacting poorer
countries and coastal regions. Climate change and extreme weather events have caused a surge
in natural disasters over the past 50 years. Some estimates show economic impacts averaging
anywhere from $49 to $383 million per day globally.4 Out of the costliest ten disasters, three were
hurricanes that occurred in 2017; they accounted for 35% of total economic disaster losses around
the world from 1970 to 2019. In the United States, Hurricane Harvey caused what would be today’s
equivalent of approximately $96.9 billion in damage, followed by Maria in the Caribbean which cost
$69.4 billion, and Irma which cost $58.2 billion in Cape Verde.5

As more and more people are at risk of suffering devastating losses and are being forced to flee
their homes, dislocation is occurring on a global scale.Therefore, nations must act quickly to cut
fossil fuel emissions and slow global warming.The produce, use and waste economy following the
last industrial revolution, in addition to the ever-growing world population, with changing consumer
behavior due to increased wealth in emerging economies, threatens life on land and in the oceans.
More consumers mean more products and an increase in resource use. As much of what we
produce is not reused, we continue to remain far away from turning our economy into a circular
model. Many modern-day goods are made of plastic, yet this poses a problem when it takes up
to 1,000 years for plastics to decompose.6 Nearly 300 million tons of plastic waste are produced
every year.7 Yet about 91% of all plastic is not recycled and much of it ends up in our oceans.8

13
 THE ‘PLASTIC SOUP’ CHALLENGE
Recent research reports that plastic waste in the Pacific Ocean now covers more area than France,
Germany and Spain combined, and that area is growing rapidly.9 Researchers estimate that the
Atlantic’s total plastic load alone is around 200 million tons.10 China, Indonesia, the Philippines,
Vietnam, and Sri Lanka together account for about 60% of all the plastic in the ocean, according to
a 2015 study.11 In 2016, the US alone generated 42 million metric tons of plastic waste, which was
twice the volume produced in China that year.The US also generates the most plastic waste per
capita, at an estimated 130 kilograms per person.12 These numbers are rising each day, which causes
a surge in plastics washing up on ocean coastlines and floating in the seas.13 If this pace continues
without serious action, the plastic will outweigh the fish in our oceans as early as 2050.14 Currently,
we only recycle 9% of the plastic we use.15 Even if we bring that to 100%, we still have to solve the
problem of existing plastic waste in the oceans that is killing the wildlife that consumes it, such as
turtles, fish, and birds.

We suffer enormous social threats as well. Growing inequalities are experienced throughout local
communities and across nations.The recent coronavirus has shone a glaring light on the lack of
access to healthcare among regional and global populations.The COVID-19 vaccine availability
around the globe has been plagued with inequality. In late November 2021, the number of vaccine
doses administered per 100 people was more than 18 times higher in high-income than low-
income countries, according to data from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World
Bank.16 When the Omicron variant was discovered in South Africa and quickly spread across
borders, the costs of this global vaccine gap became significantly clearer.

The growth of social movements such as Black Lives Matter prompts us to reflect more inclusively
on the consequences of rising inequality throughout the world. Inequality endangers communities
of color in innumerable ways, ranging from a lack of education and job opportunities to more
vulnerable exposure to COVID-19.This harsh truth is evidenced in the data showing how Black
Americans and Indigenous people have mortality rates from the coronavirus that are notably
higher than all other races and ethnic groups.17 In addition to health disparities, we still see gaping
divides around the globe in financial inclusion, education, hunger, and environmental wellbeing.
Although global economic systems in the decades behind us brought progress, the world has
also experienced serious consequences where both humanity and the planet have suffered
tremendously.That suffering is accompanied by a hefty economic price.

RAPID GLOBALIZATION IS DRIVING DEMANDS FOR MORE EFFECTIVE

GOVERNANCE ALL AROUND THE WORLD.

Governance challenges are serious, and a threat to local and global stability. Rapid globalization is
driving demands for more effective governance all around the world.With the rise of China, India,
Brazil, and other fast-growing economies, economic interdependence has reached new levels.The
interconnected nature of climate change and resource issues, economic crises, and national fragility
risks are associated with several areas across society, such as the ever-growing salary divide,
need for energy management, and biotechnology development.18 Many of these issues involve
interwoven domestic and foreign concerns that are highly problematic to navigate under current
political and social structures.

Global challenges - ecological, social, and governance-related - have risen to such an extent that
a new course of action is needed immediately. Even a resilient world like our planet and flexible
species like humankind have their limits, and those limits have been reached. Not only does

14
the health of the planet and its people suffer, but so does the stability of the economy when
hit with severe setbacks. Revolutions are not always equal to progress. Although inventions and
technological advancements are novel and exciting, we as humankind often overlook or ignore
unforeseen consequences.We are now living with some dire residual effects of past industrial
revolutions.Technology has ushered in incredible innovations and benefits, many of which we have
yet to realize. However, along with these tech advantages come disadvantages that could be highly
damaging if unchecked.

EVEN A RESILIENT WORLD LIKE OUR PLANET AND FLEXIBLE SPECIES LIKE
HUMANKIND HAVE THEIR LIMITS AND THOSE LIMITS HAVE BEEN REACHED.

Yet, technology itself is not a problem.Technology has no overall meaning on its own. Its effects
are driven by human choices and actions. Humans are still in charge of technological innovations
and advancements, and thus have the power to direct the future of tech.We have the power to
question our actions and motivations:What are our own individual values? What is our collective
view on the purpose of technology? What do we see as progress? We have learned a lot since
the former industrial revolutions.We know we need to implement a more sustainable business
model and take full responsibility for our impact on this planet.There is only one Earth in the
Solar System, and this place we call home will soon need to accommodate nearly ten billion
inhabitants.19

There is a conscious choice to be made. Rather than providing great benefit and progress,
technology could create the reverse effect. It has the potential to advance humankind in numerous
ways, yet only if used responsibly and purposefully.Technology can provide solutions to even the
greatest challenges on the planet. And we are in desperate need of technology to do so.With
the wisdom to learn from the past and create a future we all want, the next industrial revolution
simply must be a global movement toward sustainable progress. In this regard, solving the pitfalls of
former eras, in addition to limiting additional harm, must be our top priority entering the 4IR.We
as humans hold the key and responsibility to repurpose technology to create a better future for all.
We need to aim for an ethical, positive impact-driven approach to technology instead of applying it
in ways that are predominantly damaging people and the planet, or that serve no purpose at all.

TECHNOLOGY HAS THE POTENTIAL TO ADVANCE HUMANKIND IN NUMEROUS

WAYS, YET ONLY IF USED RESPONSIBLY AND PURPOSEFULLY.

Unlocking new markets of all types with technology - even when it challenges the status quo and is
not the easy path forward - will rejuvenate the economy. In addition, tech market innovations will
help manage environmental, social, and governance challenges. Let’s look at some examples.Take
artificial intelligence, for instance: the algorithms behind deep fake technology, capable of misleading
entire populations and disrupting democracy, can also be used to diagnose diseases such as cancer
at an early stage, leading to better health outcomes.The expansion of the internet of things (IoT)
could put jobs and personal data at risk, but if rolled out responsibly, it can revolutionize peoples’
access to services regarding health, safety, finances, and daily planning. Powerful gene-editing tools
could be used to engineer viruses capable of wiping out entire populations, but can equally be
harnessed to save endangered species and eliminate debilitating hereditary diseases.This illustrates
the importance of tech innovations to help unlock new markets.

15
 THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS:
OUR COMPASS TO A BETTER FUTURE FOR ALL
In 2015, two major events took place that effectively address the global challenges we are faced
with.They have continued to provide a clear course of action. First, at the end of September
2015, all 193 United Nations member states came together in New York to commit to tackling 17
ambitious Global Goals – the Sustainable Development Goals (abbreviated as SDGs and referred
to as Global Goals) – by 2030.20 Second, that same year in December in Paris, 196 countries
adopted a legally binding international treaty on climate change, later to be referred to as the Paris
Agreement or Paris Climate Accords. From that year onward, these participating nations around
the world embarked on a new blueprint for progress.These monumental events signified a moral
compass for the world to follow and sent a strong message to the global community that change
was needed.

A CLEAR CALL TO ACTION, THE SDGS PRESENT A PATHWAY FORWARD WITH

THE UNDENIABLE TRUTH THAT BUSINESS AS USUAL IS NOT AN OPTION.

Although the world had already accepted the so-called ESG approach – referring to environmental,
social, and governance sustainability aspects – the SDGs added great value in terms of clarity,
definitions, and concrete targets while simultaneously incorporating the Paris Agreement
objectives.

A BLUEPRINT FOR A BETTER FUTURE

The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) consist of 17 interlinked sustainability objectives
designed as a blueprint to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all.These SDGs succeed
the former Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and include ambitions linked to beating hunger,
tackling climate change, transforming production and consumption, and achieving gender equality.
The framework to track progress consists of 17 goals, 169 underlying targets, and 232 indicators.
In 2015, the same year in which 193 countries adopted the SDGs, a global Climate Agreement was
reached. Each with concrete targets, these Global Goals are to be achieved by 2030 and function as
the new roadmap to transform the world.With the potential for tremendous positive opportunities
for business, the SDGs hold great promise. In that sense, the Goals need business as much as
business needs the Goals. More information on the Global Goals and their impact can be found in
the book The Trillion Dollar Shift.21

Figure 1
The UN
Sustainable
Development
Goals. 22

16
While momentum to tackle the Global Goals has grown significantly, there is still a long way to go
on this ‘to-do list’ for the world. Before the pandemic, progress was being made on implementing
some important SDGs such as reducing poverty, improving maternal and child health, increasing
access to electricity, and advancing gender equality. Several severe worldwide events have recently
slowed progress on the SDGs. An increase in natural environmental disasters and the onset of the
COVID-19 health crisis affect billions of lives and hit the global economy, bringing stark awareness
to our collective vulnerabilities.

Although advancements have been made, in many instances they are not happening fast enough.
Even today, the world is still not on track to meet its 2030 targets. In particular, the goals of
eradicating poverty and providing safe access to drinking water are lagging far behind, as are
combating climate change and human rights issues.The global pandemic has diverted financial
and political focus from pressing development and climate mitigation, and instead toward the
coronavirus response.

THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BROUGHT LONG-STANDING, DEEP-SEATED DIVIDES

IN OUR ECONOMIES AND SOCIETIES TO LIGHT.

For a clear picture of where we are and where we are going, robust and timely data are needed
to monitor SDG progress. Even with more than five years since the adoption of the SDGs,
considerable gaps in official statistics remain in terms of national coverage and timeliness for
many of the Global Goals.23 In particular SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 5 (Gender Equality),
SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 14 (Life
Below Water) lack comprehensive progress on the World Bank’s Statistical Performance Index
globally since 2015.24 Further investments are needed to strengthen statistical capacities in many
low-income countries and small island developing states. More policy analyses and trackers are
also needed to assess implementation efforts on key SDG transformations, especially to monitor
countries’ actions on sustainable land use, diets, and responses to biodiversity loss.

We possess the human capacity to make progress and solve our universal problems. But with
the rising global population, developing economies, and growing middle class, in addition to the
setbacks suffered from the pandemic, we need to create solutions at a much larger scale and at
a more rapid pace than we have up to this point.There is growing recognition that if we are to
achieve these targets and build a better world for all by 2030, business-as-usual and continued
incremental reforms will not be enough.To achieve this monumental progress, we need accelerating
power that propels solutions at scale.This is where the power of the next industrial revolution
comes in.Tech for Good enables the 4IR to help solve our most pressing global challenges.

LEVERAGING THE NEW TECHNOLOGICAL AGE:

THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION
Entering the 4IR means entering a global era characterized by rapid advancements in new
technologies and global connectivity. Artificial intelligence now forms part of our everyday activities
– optimizing and customizing what we see, choose, and learn. Ubiquitous sensors are collecting
more data than ever before, with connected devices simplifying our lives. Autonomous vehicles,
drone delivery, and drone transport are set to transform global mobility. Even immersive reality-
guided surgeries, 3D printing of body parts, and affordable biohacking are either here or on their
way.These signify today’s digital age as an age of unprecedented discovery and innovation.

17
 1 IN BUSINESS
NAFHAM25
Initiative: K-12 Learning Management Platform
Headquarters: Cairo, Egypt

Egyptian households spend up to 17% of their budget on private tutoring as a

supplement to formal learning. Nafham’s free educational platform helps alleviate
these expenses (SDGs 1,4,10).26 All content is in Arabic, which presents wide scale
possibilities across the world.This platform is especially valuable in insecure regions
where education is interrupted, such as in Syria where conflict is forcing many people
to leave their homes. Nafham’s content relies on volunteer teachers, students, and
parents that produce 5- to 20-minute globally available crowd-sourced videos which
are revised by professionals (SDGs 9,11).27 With more than one video for each
subject, the platform provides alternative approaches for different learning styles.
These videos are categorized by grade, subject, term, and academic schedule which
makes the curriculum easier for students. Not only do students visit the platform, but
mothers are also highly interested and active on Nafham’s website both to enhance
their own personal knowledge and to help their children (SDG 5).28

Tyro, an EdTech platform connecting students with qualified instructors through one-
to-one and group sessions, acquired Nafham in 2021 under a share-swap agreement.
“Both companies joining forces will technically make us the largest EdTech platform in
the MENA region, providing both live online tutoring as well as recorded educational
video content,” says Mokhtar Osman,Tyro CEO.29 “It is crucial to capitalize on both
the technological capabilities and a solid customer base to be successful.With this
merger, we are well-positioned to take the platform to the next level.”

Nafham is now one of the largest online educational platforms in the Middle East,
with six million annual users and over 150 million views garnered on their video
content.

18
The tech revolution has started, and we are already experiencing incredible advancements. AI-
augmented computing, for instance, is a revolutionary tech solution that helps doctors reduce
medical mistakes, farmers improve yields and minimize inputs, teachers customize and spread
education, and researchers unlock solutions for climate and weather modeling, or advanced
material generation for clean fuels. Several companies all over the globe are taking advantage of
technological innovations to enhance societies while also creating a competitive advantage in
business. Nafham, a free online K-12 crowd-sourced educational platform, is creating a solution
for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region’s education deficit, and driving EdTech in
Egypt, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Algeria. Nafham’s founders were inspired by Egypt’s national
educational crisis.The country’s education system is overwhelmed by 2.2 million students annually,
where a class initially designed for 40 students now hosts 60 or 70 students.30

As the underlying force powering the 4IR, technology has multifaceted potential to transform
sectors rapidly and globally.Tech innovations will increase the productivity of systems while
lowering emissions and waste; enable us to monitor and manage the Earth’s surface and resources
at a speed and scale we couldn’t have dreamed of before; collect and harness vast amounts of data;
and make breakthrough advances in several areas.These are still the early days of the digital age,
but humanity stands at a critical juncture. It is essential to make drastic but informed decisions,
and to put in place sound policy and governance architecture that has profound and lasting impacts
on society and the planet. Collaboration and coordination internationally across multi-stakeholder
groups will be critical as we enter the 4IR.

THE TECH REVOLUTION HAS STARTED, AND WE ARE ALREADY

EXPERIENCING INCREDIBLE ADVANCEMENTS.

Tech companies, governments, industry, civil society, and researchers alike must be the catalysts
for unlocking the potential of these technologies to effectively address the SDGs. Business is key
for stimulating tech sectors to find new ways of investing money, time, and expertise into this
agenda. If humanity truly wants to achieve the Global Goals, it must consciously propel progress by
declaring an action-driven decade ahead, and maintaining a clear pathway forward.The SDGs come
with a 2030 deadline and the world cannot afford to wait any longer. Accelerating the pace and
scale of 4IR innovative tech breakthroughs will require us to go beyond celebrating a few brilliant
cases.We must leverage the power that technology offers to speed up progress toward our Global
Goals.

ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS

Technology, when harnessed for good, will accelerate progress on achieving the SDGs.The
potential economic and societal impact of tech to meet these Global Goals is substantial. Recent
studies show that existing AI applications across agriculture, energy, transport, and water could
conservatively contribute up to $5.2 trillion to the global economy in 2030, a 4.4% increase relative
to business as usual.31 At the same time, these estimates indicate reduced global greenhouse
gas emissions by 4%, an amount equivalent to 2.4 Gt CO2e.This, for reference, is equal to the
projected 2030 annual emissions of Australia, Canada, and Japan combined.This is one small aspect
of the tech-SDG intersection.

The next page explores a few Global Goals, and offers the chance to consider how synergizing
technology and sustainability works in practice.

19
 ZERO HUNGER
Nutritional deficiencies and food shortages are global problems. According to the
United Nations, consumers and retailers waste or spoil an estimated one-third
of all food produced each year – equivalent to 1.6 billion tons worth over $1
trillion – due to poor transportation and harvesting practices.32 Around 45%
of deaths of children under five are linked to malnutrition, evidencing the challenge of world
hunger.33 Forecasts show that agricultural production needs to at least be doubled by 2050 to
feed the growing population and prevent mass food shortages.34 Businesses can contribute to
solving these challenges, eradicating hunger, and improving food and agriculture systems.While
implementing sustainable practices and partnering with other actors throughout the agricultural
value chain, business solutions in tech such as empowering small farmers, increasing agricultural
productivity and farmers’ livelihoods, raising consumers’ awareness, and increasing agricultural
investment will be necessary elements to enhance food and agriculture systems. Biotech startups
like NRgene are using machine learning and genetic sequencing to boost crop performance.35
Phytech is another company optimizing crop production with insights and warnings it sends to
farmers’ smartphones.36 As demonstrated in these use cases, AI and robotics hold great promise in
improving crop productivity, boosting resilience, and optimizing food distribution.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

There has been over $145 billion in investment in healthcare startups since 2010.37
Improvements in a variety of technologies, including AI and blockchain, are advancing
medicine, surgery, and healthcare data. Data management in medicine has become
a major focus area for some of the largest tech companies including Alphabet, IBM,
Amazon, Apple, and Alibaba. AI systems for earlier and higher-performance diagnostics for disease
detection, from cancers to brain injuries or heart disease, and AI-enabled wearable devices, have
proved to be lucrative endeavors in the healthcare sector. French startup Implicity creates a
remote monitoring platform for patients with connected pacemakers and defibrillators.38 This tech
innovation boasts an AI module that determines the severity of each alert in accordance with the
medical history of the patient.The platform analyzes and filters the data coming in from remote
locations, thereby freeing up valuable time for medical professionals to focus on other essential
tasks.

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

A transition to clean energy demands a comprehensive transformation of the global
economy. It will require approximately $100 trillion in additional capital spending
over the next three decades.39 There remain nearly 800 million people in the world
without access to reliable and affordable electricity.40 Rapid developments in AI,
blockchain, and advanced materials for solar panels and battery technology are creating viable,
low-cost solutions. More specifically, they have the potential to leverage renewable energy mini-
grids to connect nearly 300 million people to power. Businesses can accelerate the transition to
affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy systems by investing in renewable energy resources,
prioritizing energy-efficient practices, and adopting clean energy technologies and infrastructure.
With investment in Research & Development (R&D), businesses can pioneer new technologies that
shift global energy systems to invigorate climate change solutions.

Powergen, with installed solar-powered mini-grid projects across Kenya and Zambia providing
electricity to rural areas, is an example of an emerging technology with huge potential to
accelerate electrification. It particularly targets areas with fewer centralized network power
grids.41

20
In the advanced materials space, Cambridge-based tech startup Lambda Energy works to increase
the efficiency of solar panel technologies through the development of a material that results in
more efficient absorption of the sun and increased energy output.42 National Grid Partners, the
Silicon Valley-based investment arm of utility National Grid, has invested nearly $400 million in
startups that have the potential to disrupt the future of energy through digital technologies.43
More broadly, tech innovations are enabling a much greater proportion of renewables on
centralized power grids, as well as optimizing decentralized energy systems worldwide.These
solutions promise to improve efficiency, provide cleaner energy options for global market entry,
and reduce costs.

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

With the pace of digital transformation accelerating for nearly every industry,
technology is more strategically important than ever before for businesses and their
supply chains. Research shows that 64% of supply chain executives report that the
pace of digital transformation for their organization is rapidly accelerating.44 As a
result of fast-paced digital transformation, investments in data, AI, and digital twin technologies
to power supply chains are increasing. New sources of data and AI-driven models can be applied
across companies’ product developments, supply chains, and sales lifecycles to steer growth trends.
Blockchain-driven innovations in the supply chain will have a considerable impact on the potential
to deliver business value by increasing supply chain transparency, reducing risk, and improving
efficiency and overall supply chain management.45 Trade finance is projected to witness significant
growth as well. Due to increased market disruption and advances in technology, enhanced digitized
supply chain finance systems will become increasingly relevant. Skuchain is a tech company building
blockchain-based business trade and supply chain finance products.46 These are targeted toward
the over $18 trillion global trade finance market that involves numerous entities including buyers,
sellers, logistics providers, and banks.47

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

New and enhanced materials are important tech innovations in areas surrounding
consumption and production.The wood, paper, and paperboard recycling market is
expected to exceed $29.7 billion by 2025.48 Medium-density fiberboard is an examp-
le of an engineered wood product made by breaking down hardwood or softwood
residuals into wood fibers, combining it with wax and a resin binder, and forming it into panels by
applying high temperature and pressure. It is in the interest of business to find new solutions that
enable sustainable consumption and production patterns.

Belgian tech startup Act&Sorb is capitalizing on how the recycling of treated and non-treated
wood is becoming mandatory in many countries by bringing its disruptive technology to market.49
Each year, millions of tons of wood residues are produced worldwide.With recycling options
lacking, manufacturing cut-offs and end-of-life wood residues are incinerated or dumped in
landfills. Act&Sorb’s innovative recycling process counters this by creating value from bio-based
wood residues. Its industrial potential will have significant positive energy efficiency, while helping
furniture manufacturers and waste collectors contribute to the circular economy.

21
 TRUST AS THE FOUNDATION
A firm foundation of trust is a prerequisite for the bold route toward a sustainable, technologically
enabled future that is brimming with potential.Trust in technology appears to be low in many
societies around the world, owing to cultural perceptions surrounding new innovations. Note that
trust is not a unidimensional phenomenon.Trust has different sides to it, and the different forms
of trust are important to distinguish so as to prevent jumping to conclusions and stereotyping.
Academics Daniel Dobrygowski and William Hoffman provided us with a good framework to
think about trust in technology. In their capacities as respectively head of governance and policy
at the World Economic Forum’s Centre for Cybersecurity and project lead for data policy, they
distinguish mechanical trust from relational trust.50

Mechanical trust refers to trust in the outcome of technology itself, relating to the trustworthiness
of the specific technology to function as it was intended.This is to be distinguished from relational
trust, which considers the social norms and agreements behind the technology. Relational trust
takes a philosophical step further to measure the impact of technology on complex systems across
societies.Trust in technology itself, the “mechanical trust,” seems to be growing rapidly.Yet only
a few years ago, people were leery of trusting algorithms. In 2014, researchers at the University
of Chicago Booth Business School and The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania,
demonstrated that even when there was clear evidence algorithms could be trusted more than
humans, people did the reverse and still trusted humans more, persevering in their resistance to
trust technology despite the evidence.51

NOW, PEOPLE TRUST ALGORITHMS AND AI MORE THAN THEY TRUST HUMAN
ADVICE, ESPECIALLY IN THE FACE OF COMPLEXITY.

This phenomenon was labeled “algorithm aversion.” With widespread societal reliance on and
engagement with algorithmic advice, it is highly counterintuitive that we would be skeptical of it.
Extensive research on the concept of algorithm aversion has produced a definitive conclusion –
algorithm aversion is costly.52 But more recently, trust in algorithms has grown significantly and the
trend has clearly shifted. Now, people trust algorithms and AI more than they trust human advice,
especially in the face of complexity. For example, a new study mentions that with the uncertainty
created by COVID-19 changing who and what to trust regarding medical and financial advice, 83%
of Indian consumers and business leaders now trust AI-based tools more than they trust humans.53
Interestingly, the same research study suggests 73% of business leaders trust AI bots more than
themselves to manage finances.

The University of Georgia has also conducted novel research on the importance of algorithms
in tech.54 For their study, the team involved 1,500 individuals evaluating photographs.Volunteers
were asked to count the number of people in a photograph of a crowd.The researchers then
suggested a different number, either calculated by an algorithm or by a consensus of other people.
Following that, each participant was asked whether they wanted to change their previous answer.
The conclusion was that participants were changing their answers to match the algorithm output,
whether it was correct or incorrect. In most cases, people were taking the average of their original
answer and whatever the algorithm said. As the number of people in the photograph expanded,
counting became more difficult. Significant insights lie in how people were more likely to adopt
the algorithm-generated suggestion rather than count themselves or follow the “wisdom of the
crowd.”55 These recent researchers have demonstrated that algorithms are indeed a reliable source
that can be trusted. But does this mean people now trust computers more than humans? There
may not be a conclusive answer, but widespread dissemination of Tech for Good will undoubtedly
require both forms of trust.The business world specifically will benefit from being aware of the

22
importance of trust. Not only is trust a necessity for businesses’ license to operate from the public
perception standpoint, it is also highly important for technology to be in the position to help solve
our most pressing challenges.

TRUST IN TECHNOLOGIES’ INTENTIONS, AND THE WAY THEIR POWER CAN BE

USED, FELL TO AN ALL TIME LOW IN 2021.56

Unfortunately, relational trust has never been as low as it is now.Therein lies a challenge.Trust in
technologies’ intentions and impacts, and trust in the way this power will be used, fell to an all-
time low in 2021.57 Many stakeholders favor tighter regulations on tech companies to make sure
technologies are used for good.Tech companies indeed have an extremely powerful influence, and
according to many, they are too powerful. Pew Research Center recently found that in the US, 56%
of Americans think major technology companies should be regulated more than they are now, and
68% believe these companies have too much authority and influence over the economy.58 Many
people are extremely worried about privacy, fake news, cybercrime, and more - especially in home
devices.

A steady stream of controversies has dominated the conversation over how tech companies
collect, manage, process, and share massive amounts of data. Even with a commitment to privacy
and governance, the executives and founders of these companies have not convinced people
that surveillance is not an omnipresent threat to their basic rights and freedoms. Mistrust of
governments and corporations causes people to take pause and reconsider how much faith
they should put in both leaders and services directing these quickly evolving technologies. More
threatening instances are emerging, exemplifying people’s trepidation. Even in the city of San
Francisco – with a tech economy where high levels of enthusiasm for digital infiltration may be
expected - facial recognition services are stringently controlled to “regulate the excesses of
technology.”59

In their impactful book Tech for Life, Jim Hagemann Snabe and Lars Thinggaard support the concept
that technology must serve humankind.They state that, although the objective to improve people’s
lives and the planet through tech is valid, we must acknowledge that positive impact and “money-
making” should at least both be addressed. But not only does the purpose of technology need
to be refined, our entire public-private ecosystem around technology also requires repurposing.
In this regard, we will have to face difficult questions and dilemmas. Some key inquiries in Snabe
and Thinggaard’s book include: How do we use data without losing privacy? How do we use
platforms without creating monopolies? How do we use AI without losing control? Rightfully so,
they conclude that to transform our world for the better, we need to encourage and inspire the
responsible use of technology by finding a balance among profitability, sustainability, and trust.60

AT THE FOREFRONT OF OUR ACTIONS SHOULD BE THE GREAT IMPORTANCE

OF SOLVING THE MAJOR CHALLENGES IN THIS WORLD.

If we direct the tremendous power of Tech for Good, we can tackle the challenges that plague the
planet before it is too late. On our current trajectory, we are at great risk of doing too little, too
late. Humanity must realize its role as a conscious actor of change while utilizing the instrument of
technology as a force for good.Technologically enabled solutions can play a major role in creating a
sustainable future for all, but only through rapid deployment that is much more effective at a larger
scale and faster pace.The success of the 4IR will pivot on tech working for the economy, society,
and environment. Ultimately, both business and the planet will thrive.Throughout the following
chapters, we will provide you with a wide range of examples of how Tech for Good is for the
benefit of all entities and systems around the globe.

23
 THE POWER OF BUSINESS
Chief protagonists of change are businesses that seize market opportunities arising from tackling
the Global Goals. Coalitions between diverse sectors and advanced technologies will inspire a
new revolution.The global impact of business becomes abundantly clear when we consider that
top corporations continue to accrue revenues far more than most governments. As mentioned
above, 69 of the richest 100 entities in the world are corporations, not countries.61 The top ten
corporate revenues, including Walmart, Shell, and Toyota, all exceed $3 trillion.62 It is relevant to
note that today’s largest companies are mostly tech or tech-driven. Colossal annual revenues of
tech giants like Apple, Microsoft, and Netflix carry significant weight in the global marketplace.
If Netflix was a country, it would be rated 126th on a list of wealthiest nations.63 Tech-driven
companies Tesla and Apple would respectively rank 125th and 47th in world GDP if they were
countries.

CURRENTLY, 69 OF THE RICHEST 100 ENTITIES IN THE WORLD ARE

CORPORATIONS, NOT COUNTRIES.

Now more than ever, power comes with an important responsibility. It is crucial that corporate
boards, CEOs, and senior executives use their power as a force for good. Dominant companies
need to be purpose-driven and action-oriented, employing the accelerating power of technology
to solve prevailing socio-ecological challenges. All businesses, big or small, need to be involved and
multi-stakeholder initiatives must come forth for cohesive and effective global action. It falls in the
realm of possibility for all companies to employ the Tech for Good mindset. Influential business
actors have the capacity to set and meet requirements in terms of time, volume, breadth, and
prices for spurring effective large-scale technological change.

TECH GROWING THE SUSTAINABILITY PRIZE

All businesses need to strive for positive impacts on the SDGs, and this should be the core
philosophy of all innovations.We need nothing less than comprehensive, interconnected,
sustainable solutions. Fortunately, taking radical action toward a sustainable planet comes with
a reward - a huge financial prize. New sustainable growth markets jointly represent at least $12
trillion in opportunities by 2030.64 The Business and Sustainable Development Commission
researched global markets and found that specific business opportunities arise within four domains:
cities, food and agriculture, energy and materials, and health and wellbeing.The conclusion revealed
that just 15 of the 60 largest opportunities account for half of the $12 trillion prizes.
Thus, unlocking these markets also creates a projected 380 million jobs a year by 2030.65

FORTUNATELY, TAKING RADICAL ACTION TOWARD A SUSTAINABLE PLANET

COMES WITH A REWARD - A HUGE FINANCIAL PRIZE.

The combination of sustainability and technology might seem an obvious business trajectory, but
many companies have not fully realized this potential. Partnerships between sustainability and
technology could prove more promising than anticipated, as they represent the possibility of novel
markets that signify huge growth opportunities.The Ansoff Matrix, which was developed by H. Igor
Ansoff and first published in the Harvard Business Review in 1957, is “a growth matrix that assists
organizations in mapping strategic product market growth.”66 It is useful as a simple explanation
of how the combination of technology and positive sustainable impact can create the highest value
and the greatest opportunities for growth.

24
 HIGH

TECH FOR GOOD

SUSTAINABILITY

LOW
LOW HIGH
TECH

Figure 2
The Star Region: Tech + Sustainability.67
Author © 2023

Tech developments are not only limited to a specific sector. Fourth Industrial Revolution tech
trends permeate across all elements of society. Lines between sectors blur as businesses become
more tech-savvy and apply a variety of relevant advanced technologies.We see this amalgamation
of progressive innovations in disruptive shapes and forms across sectors such as fintech, agritech,
and carbontech.Yet, as presented throughout this book, along with incorporating the benefits of
technology in every sector, we also want to do it in an ethical, purpose-driven way that creates
more value for businesses, the planet, and people.This suggests that tech applications will be
accelerated when the SDGs are at the forefront of business development.

Although many companies are aiming to make sustainable business leaps with internal leadership –
within their own teams and balance sheets – one step forward would be thinking of partnerships
and joint ventures. Business collaborations present opportunities to combine knowledge,
competencies, and networks that merge sustainability and tech. Such collaborative systems would
mean connecting with a larger, collective network that will operate at the scale, volume, and rate
of change necessary to overcome global challenges. Currently, companies often either come from
the tech angle or from the sustainability perspective, without integrating the two themselves
from the start. Combining forces ensures positive results more rapidly and on a broader scale.
The collaboration between Unilever and Google Cloud is a prime example.With an objective
to reimagine the future of sustainable sourcing, these corporate giants are advancing sustainable
business practices using technology to expand the use of data for eco-friendly decision-making.

25
 2 IN BUSINESS
UNILEVER68 AND GOOGLE69
Initiative: Sustainable Commodity Sourcing
Headquarters: London, UK and Mountain View, California USA

The two corporations are collaborating on the first commercial application of

Google Cloud and Google Earth Engine for sustainable commodity sourcing (SDGs
10,17).70 Combining tech and sustainability, they are harnessing the power of cloud
computing with satellite imagery and AI to gain a more holistic view of the for-
ests, water cycles, and biodiversity that intersect Unilever’s supply chain (SDG 12).
Not only does this enhance Unilever’s brand value, but it also raises sustainability
standards for suppliers. As a global industry giant that owns over 400 brands, with
products that are used by 2.5 billion people every day, sustainability should be
at the core of Unilever’s business model.This sustainable sourcing initiative aims
to achieve a deforestation-free supply chain by 2023. Unilever views this to be
the first step, as the collaboration is being extended to more commodities in the
future.

By combining the power of cloud computing with Google Earth’s ability to map
the planet via satellite imagery, Unilever will be able to store and understand huge
amounts of complex data, as well as gain insights into any kind of impact on local
environments and communities (SDGs 9,11). Along with greater accountability in
the supply chain, cloud services will help Unilever to better detect deforestation
and prioritize any areas of forests or habitats in need of urgent protection (SDG
15).This monitoring of sustainable sourcing brings the company a step closer to its
goals of regenerating nature and ending deforestation in its supply chain by 2023.71
It is a means to work with suppliers to increase transparency and take sustainable
action wherever and whenever it is needed.

In 2019, Unilever reported that its purpose-led Sustainable Living Brands are grow-
ing 69% faster than the rest of the business and delivering 75% of the company’s
growth.72

26
CREATING SHARED VALUE
Originally an academic concept introduced in 2011, the idea of “shared value” was co-created
by Harvard Business School professors Michael Porter and Mark R. Kramer.73 As an approach to
business and business models focusing on multi-stakeholder success, shared value captures value
creation both in terms of beneficial societal impact and economic prosperity.This model is highly
relevant in the Tech for Good context. Essentially, shared value is underpinned by the recognition
that business results are improved by creating financial value while simultaneously creating value
for society and the environment.This is the foundation of Business for Good, upon which Tech for
Good is also built.

Shared value stems from the ambition to move away from reducing negative impact to creating a
positive impact.The focus moves away from how to avoid doing harm to continually improving the
human and planetary condition while prioritizing business gains. It is characterized by the principle
that doing well and doing good are not mutually exclusive, but rather are connected in a positive
way. In this context, in terms of markets, returns, stakeholder, and shareholder value, the model of
shared value is becoming more and more important to core business practices.When companies
operate sustainably and collaborate with partners, we all share in that success – environmentally,
financially, and socially. Former DSM CEO Feike Sijbesma labeled the approach “purpose-driven,
and performance-led,” and in the case of DSM, it led to higher share prices and greater returns.74
Addressing DSM’s specialized solutions for health, nutrition, and bioscience, Feike Sijbesma’s words
demonstrated the sentiment of the shared value business model as a structure for sustained
success.

THE ESSENCE OF THE SHARED VALUE APPROACH IS A POSITIVE

ORIENTATION TOWARDS SUSTAINABILITY.

A key factor in the shared value approach is a positive orientation towards sustainability. It is not
merely a strategy to limit negative impact, such as reducing the corporate ecological footprint.
The approach centers on a comprehensive, positive impact that goes beyond one-dimensional
concepts. For companies, the implementation of a shared value approach would mean a structural
shift to mitigating risks and negative impacts throughout the entire business ecosystem to
achieve net positive results. Reaching this outcome is often complex and requires a truly holistic
transformation that places sustainability at the heart of business strategy.Yet, despite challenges,
reorganization at all levels, from bottom to top, is indeed possible.When treated as a one-time
investment and properly implemented, the rewards are lasting and immensely lucrative.

The paradigm shift we need is rooted in veering away from merely alleviating damage, but also
toward embracing radical transformative change. A new paradigm is emerging, as the unlocking
of business opportunities works to disconnect growth and negative impact.This disconnection
of growth and negative consequences is a rising trend, with companies embarking on journeys to
double their profits while simultaneously reducing their ecological footprint by half. Although this is
a significant step, becoming net positive requires a more ambitious and long-term plan. Businesses
are experiencing positive impact as they focus on sustainable, purpose-driven growth by employing
a shared value approach.

BUSINESSES WITH NET POSITIVE IMPACT ON THE GLOBAL GOALS ARE A

REAL FORCE FOR GOOD.

Interface is an example of a company that has achieved this positive impact through its Mission
Zero.75 Succeeding in bringing their plan to fruition earlier than anticipated, thanks to clear and
precise business growth targets, the global flooring company successfully applies Tech for Good
by using and developing new sustainable materials. In November 2019, Interface turned its full
attention to its sustainability mission, Climate Take Back, which aims to reverse global warming.76
27
 3 IN BUSINESS
INTERFACE77
Initiative: Climate Take Back
Headquarters: Atlanta, Georgia USA

In November 2019, Interface announced Mission Zero’s success ahead of its original
2020 target and turned its full attention to its next mission, Climate Take Back,
which aims to reverse global warming (SDG 13). As it looks to the future, Interface
is working to become a carbon negative enterprise by 2040, and to develop pro-
cesses and products that create a positive impact on the world.

With its Climate Take Back mission, Interface aims to overcome the biggest
challenge facing humanity and reverse global warming.78 The progressive company
believes it is no longer enough to limit the damage humans inflict on the planet, but
that we should collectively move towards reversing it. Interface wants to restore
our planet and leave a positive impact. Climate Take Back moves the company
forward from eliminating any negative impact to producing a positive impact. Inter-
face’s positive mission is based on four principles and points of attention:

Live Zero: Making sure no more carbon is put into the atmosphere.
Love Carbon: Using the carbon that is already in the atmosphere as a building block
to make products and resources.
Let Nature Cool: Running their business in such a way so as not to interfere with
nature’s ability to cool itself.
Lead the Industrial Re-revolution: Sharing what they are learning, and have learned,
to change how business is conducted.

Currently, 76% of energy used at Interface’s manufacturing sites is renewable (SDG

12); they have a 96% reduction of market-based GHG emissions at carpet manufac-
turing sites (SDGs 7,13); 85% of their waste sent to landfills from global manufac-
turing sites is down since 1996 (SDGs 12,13); and 50% of the company’s materials
in the flooring products are recycled or bio-based (SDGs 3,11,12).79

28
Included in the business shared value approach is the use of technology as a driver for value
creation. Not only should companies find shared value opportunities within societal challenges, but
they must also leverage assets, expertise, and capital to support the proliferation and dissemination
of technology to drive sustainability objectives in a profitable and responsible manner. Advanced
technologies are a significant agent of value creation and present unprecedented opportunities for
both society and business.There is great potential to augment companies’ assets, expertise, and
capital when applying the Tech for Good shared value model.

ACROSS TECHS FOR GOOD

A better understanding of Tech for Good applications entails sufficient knowledge about developing
technologies, in addition to pursuing evidence of how companies are globally applying these
advanced techs for good.The 4IR will seed a range of new technologies, with new variations
being developed every day. Distinguishing among these technologies, while also recognizing their
interconnectedness, brings up the question: which tech solutions are important for sustainable
business solutions and why? To answer this question, we identify the most prominent Fourth
Industrial Revolution technologies that are being implemented today. Each technology is extensively
discussed in the following chapters.

The prominent characteristic of technologies to be relevant for Business for Good is their
potential to be impactful across the SDGs. Interesting analyses seek to match technologies with
their beneficial impact on the SDGs.The World Economic Forum (WEF) found that across the
Global Goals and their 169 targets, 70% of the targets could be enabled by 4IR tech applications
already in deployment.80 Research also indicates that technology has a high impact across 10 of the
17 SDGs.81

THE WEF FOUND THAT ACROSS THE GLOBAL GOALS AND THEIR 169
TARGETS, 70% OF THE TARGETS COULD BE ENABLED BY 4IR TECH
APPLICATIONS.

Furthermore, it is also significant that many technologies are being applied already, and thus the
business solutions that incorporate them are ready to be further scaled.With businesses primed
for the tech revolution, enhancing and unlocking new business opportunities will become more
prevalent. Although there are many new and transformative upcoming technologies, they are still
not all at market-ready application stages. In some cases, business integration continues to remain
a long way off. Prioritizing current business applications, this book highlights feasible technologies
that can be rapidly applied with beneficial impact and economic success.
Each of these eight technology groups have their unique benefits, as well as their collective uses,
that work to address global challenges. In other words, not only is each tech impactful on its own,
but all of them are interconnected.

29
 AI AND DATA 3D PRINTING ROBOTICS ADVANCED MATERIALS

EXTENDED AUTONOMOUS BLOCKCHAIN SPACETECH

REALITIES VEHICLES AND
DRONES

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & DATA

From general applications like mobility, communication, and medicine, to more technical uses such
as game playing, knowledge reasoning, and robotics, artificial intelligence (AI) and data are altering
our lives. AI’s ability to transform vast amounts of complex, ambiguous information into real-world
insights has the potential to assist in solving some of the world’s most enduring problems. The tech
is primed to undertake tasks with greater efficiency and scale than a human could. Elimination of
human intervention allows AI to carry systems beyond finite human skills and create relentless
advances and unprecedented breakthroughs in data management. In 2020, the global AI market size
was valued at $93.33 billion and is expected to reach $997.77 billion by 2028, with a CAGR of
40.2%.82

In terms of the SDGs, this technology can enhance patient diagnosis with accurate data, personalize
learning through AI-powered education, and employ greater renewable energy efficiently using
AI real-time analysis. There are many ways in which AI and data can be used for good throughout
various sectors in a financially profitable way.

3D PRINTING
3D printing, also referred to as additive manufacturing, is an advanced technology that can
construct three-dimensional solid objects layer by layer from a digital file. This tech’s decentralized,
low threshold production and manufacturing unlocks a wide range of benefits across at least 9 of
the 17 Global Goals. Over the past few years, the world has been experiencing unparalleled growth
in the 3D printing market. In 2020 alone, the value of the global 3D printing market rose by 21%
compared to 2019 to an estimated value of $12.6 billion.83 3D printing supports the reduction
of waste during production, enables cheaper and easier repairs, spurs increased economic
productivity, and lowers transportation costs and carbon footprint.

Signifying an exciting shift in global supply chains, 3D printing is set to replace and disrupt
traditional manufacturing methods in many areas. Gone are the days of the conveyor belt, which
once was an exceptionally advanced technology. Already seeing unprecedented adoption rates, as
well as aftermarket supply chain growth, 3D printing has possibly the most impact out of all tech
advancements in new product development applications across multiple industries.

30
ROBOTICS
Robots themselves design advanced software and algorithms (including artificial intelligence) to
interpret the data collected and further enhance processes, thus helping reduce the number of
human operators required.These automated production systems are becoming increasingly flexible
and intelligent, continuously adapting their behavior to maximize output and minimize cost per
unit. By taking over the monotony of repetitive tasks, in addition to removing people from any
danger due to perilous labor, automation displaces menial human labor and enables more thought-
provoking and challenging work.The global robotics market was valued in 2020 at $27.73 billion,
and projections claim it can reach $74.1 billion by 2026.84

Modern generation robots are improving accessibility - in healthcare, for instance - by delivering
medical supplies around remote hospitals. In agriculture, they enhance monitoring of environmental
impacts of farming operations and reduce the use of excess water. Industries and companies are
finding ways to utilize robots to improve their processes, allowing businesses to be more efficient.
It is becoming more and more evident that robotics enhances sustainability efforts across sectors.
Robots in today’s world are helping fight climate change, manage recycling, streamline healthcare,
boost manufacturing, and much more.85

ADVANCED MATERIALS
The current age and technological era enable products and functions that are lighter, tougher,
thinner, denser, and more flexible or rigid, as well as heat and wear resistant. New and advanced
materials go beyond utility, focusing on design, ergonomics, economics, and the ecology of a
substance. Many new materials being researched today offer the promise of decreased energy
usage, better performance at lower costs, and less dependence on traditional raw materials. New
materials market forecasts state the industry can reach $2.1 trillion by 2025, recording a10%
CAGR globally from 2019 to 2025.86

Materials science, including engineering, research, and financing mechanisms, is rapidly moving
forward to address the SDGs. New materials – such as light-absorbing building materials – could
have major beneficial impacts like aiding in combating global warming. Some examples of new
and advanced materials business cases that are making a difference include applications for less
expensive solar power, electric-car batteries that can go longer between charges, lightweight
and portable electronic devices, implantable medical devices for personalized medicine, lifesaving
pharmaceuticals, more streamlined industrial manufacturing processes, and cleaner, more efficient
energy usage.The potential for research and development of advanced materials to create a better
world is truly limitless.

EXTENDED REALITIES
This widely integrated tech involves computer-generated digital imaging superimposed onto our
real world. Falling into three categories, Extended Realities (XR) constitute Augmented Reality
(AR),Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Unprecedented IoT design and development of
products and services becomes possible through XR.Those affected by mental health and those
most developmentally deprived largely benefit from AR/VR devices. Commercially, the value of the
XR market stood at $26.05 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach $463.7 billion in 2026.87 XR
experiences aid in diverse applications, from fostering relaxation during surgical operations with
MR systems to AR/VR-optimized infrastructure planning to gender equality promotion through VR
media.

31
 With technological advances in network capability and computing potential, it is now possible
to use these XR technologies in almost all domains and locations.This flexibility provides an
unprecedented opportunity to create applications that have a broader impact on society. Diverse
sectors across the world today including healthcare, environment, and education can all benefit
from this tech to solve widespread societal challenges.88 XR presents an opportunity to create an
enhanced experience to reach the SDGs and expand tech usage for the benefit of the world.There
is untapped potential to boost productivity and safety in several industries using XR.

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES & DRONES

Autonomous vehicle (AV) tech ranges from autonomous road vehicles and driverless cars, to buses
and trucks, to ships and drones.The global commercial drone market size is expected to expand
at a CAGR of 57.5% from 2021 to 2028,89 while the global AV market size is projected to grow to
$556.67 billion by 2026, a CAGR of 39.47%.90 AVs and drones address the SDGs in several areas,
including agricultural monitoring using drones and delivery bots aiding in underserved or disaster-
affected areas.Tech applications span a variety of industries and aid in scaling innovations across
sectors and societies. AVs and drones can manage and reduce ocean waste and marine threats,
as well as elevate cities to sustainability status with gained control over traffic congestion and
prevention of human-error based dangers.

In addition to saving lives through rescue operations, AVs and drones bring a spike in safety too.
Data suggest that self-driving cars will ultimately make roads safer.91 Fully autonomous vehicles
could nearly eliminate human error from the equation, thereby making our roads safer for drivers,
passengers, cyclists, and pedestrians. Drones also present novel mapping and surveillance functions,
which include patrolling forests to monitor environmental and ecological changes.This saves time
to gather data that human manpower would require, as well as reduces the cost of clearing a
pathway for human entry.

BLOCKCHAIN
Blockchain is a disseminated network comprising computer systems and the internet that keeps
account of transactions.Within a blockchain, one record is dispersed and protected across the
system while every computer involved individually approves the exchanges. In a world where
data security and accountability of operations are at risk, blockchain boosts the traceability of
information.The global blockchain technology market size was valued at $3.67 billion in 2020,
and is expected to expand at a CAGR of 82.4% from 2021 to 2028.92 Blockchain contributes to
poverty management for farmers who have been exploited for their crop pricing in the market.
Vulnerable populations gain security from blockchain’s payment services. It also ensures data safety,
whether it is personal health data or education records.

Because blockchain technology eliminates the role of intermediaries, central authorities, or

third-party assurance providers to validate transactions and processes, it presents a new level
of organizational transparency and trust.93 This means that a business entity’s full potential can
be brought to bear when making more informed decisions, without the common financial risk.
In this regard, there are expectations for the tech to unlock financing mechanisms to deliver on

32
core business missions.The impact and potential of blockchain today to address the SDGs is
recognized across regions and industries, spanning from the financial and the business sectors with
cryptocurrency transactions to the retail and the agricultural spaces with product traceability.

SPACETECH
SpaceTech is currently used to explore other planets, study the universe, and provide
communication and navigation services to support human activities.94 This tech solution
encompasses a wide range of concepts, including instruments such as satellites and human aspects
of space travel like astronautics, physics, and chemistry. SpaceTech also covers research and
development of new technologies, new applications for existing technologies, and improvement
of technologies for existing space systems. More specifically, SpaceTech is a broad term used to
describe any technological advancement or tool that is designed directly for use in outer space,
whether it be for communication, navigation, exploration, or some other purpose.

Billions of dollars from some of the world’s biggest investors and companies are being allocated to
SpaceTech. Investments in SpaceTech-focused companies globally in 2020 reached $132.2 billion.95
As the new space economy develops, it increasingly overlaps with sustainability in areas such as
Earth observation, energy, and communication.These developing technologies from both public and
private companies are becoming a new avenue for investors interested in pursuing breakthroughs
in both sustainability science and space-enabled markets.The United Nations acknowledges the
importance of space-based technologies to be crucial in understanding climate change and the
full disaster management cycle.96 Not only does SpaceTech help to address these environmental
and social impacts, it also creates business value and presents unprecedented opportunities for
businesses to do good while also building competitive advantage. Space technologies have positive
impacts on every single SDG.

IOT AS AN UNDERLYING FOUNDATION FOR EIGHT TECHNOLOGY GROUPS

The Internet of Things (IoT) forms the foundation for the eight technology groups explained in
this book.This foundational system gives life to advanced technologies and plays an important
role in connecting all 4IR technologies. IoT is the network of physical objects – “things” – that
are embedded with sensors, software, and other technologies.These objects are connected and
exchange data between devices and systems using the Internet. IoT thus fuses the digital and the
physical worlds. Devices and objects that use IoT can not only be ordinary household objects, but
also sophisticated industrial tools. According to WEF research, the Internet of Things plays a role
in 33% of top tech applications.97 By way of low-cost computing, the Cloud, big data, analytics, and
mobile technologies, physical things can share and collect data with minimal human intervention.
As IoT has become one of the most important technologies of the 21st century, it is expected that
the market for IoT devices will grow to $22 billion by 2025.98

Seamless communication is now possible among people, processes and things, as low-cost
computing allows data to be collected with minimal human intervention.The next page
demonstrates the role IoT has as a foundation for each of the eight tech groups discussed in the
book.

33
 AI AND DATA
ƒ IoT, AI, and data form an
ecosystem of automation.
ƒ IoT devices provide data
that can be used to teach AI
systems.

3D PRINTING
ƒ IoT-enabled 3D printing
helps decrease material
consumption and improve
process efficiency.
ƒ IoT-based automation
technology allows for 3D
printing market growth ROBOTICS
by reaching new target ƒ IoT enables interaction between
audiences. and among robotic things and
devices.
ƒ IoT enables robots to recognize
events or changes in their
surroundings and autonomously
have an appropriate response.

ADVANCED MATERIALS
ƒ IoT and Cloud computing
are used in high-volume
manufacturing solutions to
enable the accelerated adoption
of new material technologies at
an industrial scale.

34
 EXTENDED REALITIES
ƒ IoT helps make XR scalable through efficient object-
centric and location-based data management.
ƒ XR taps into refined environment information which IoT
networks make available.

INTERNET OF
BLOCKCHAIN
THINGS
ƒ IoT and Blockchain AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
technology together AND DRONES
enable machine-to- ƒ IoT helps address
machine transactions. issues such as
ƒ Direct communication automotive safety,
between devices is transportation
key in blockchain efficiency, monitoring
technology, IoT can capabilities, and
track individual devices infrastructure
as well as interactions challenges through
between devices. effective data analysis.

SPACETECH
ƒ Satellite communications are needed to create IoT networks.
ƒ Intersatellite connections can be supported and developed using
IoT.

35
 4 IN BUSINESS
SMARTCULTIVA99
Initiative: IoT-based Smart Farming
Headquarters: Miami, Florida USA

The agricultural sector is a prime example of industry using IoT-enabled tech in

sustainable business. IoT-based smart farming presents solutions to global food
security challenges; Smartcultiva is just one startup harnessing the tech to address
this issue.

Agricultural producers in cities must track several parameters daily to ensure

high quality indoor or enclosed crops (SDGs 2,11). IoT sensors assist in mitigating
this challenge by mining data about important farm factors such as soil, air, water,
and climate for forecasting and analysis (SDGs 14,15).100 In addition, IoT-based
smart farming systems automatically adjust farm equipment to the changing con-
ditions and allow for remote control.

The USA-based startup Smartcultiva delivers a set of sensors, connected devices,

and software for farm management (SDG 9).The tech solution measures humidity,
air and water temperatures, light intensity, carbon dioxide levels, and soil mois-
ture before transferring these data into cloud based IoT applications using various
network protocols.These data are accessible on both mobile and web applica-
tions.The advanced nano sensing IoT devices are integrated with proprietary AI
software capabilities to monitor and control the indoor farming environment,
targeting micro farmers, agro businesses, and indoor controlled space farming for
the future (SDG 12).

36
INNOVATION FOR TRANSFORMATION
Tech for Good is all about innovation, both at a company level as well as at a country level.The
2019 Sustainable Development Report101 and Global Innovation Index102 used a PwC analysis to
inform findings that, at the country level, there is a strong relationship between nations’ abilities to
innovate and their progress on the Global Goals. Countries that have strong innovation capabilities
and capacities often make the most progress on the Global Goals, whereas countries with lower
innovation potential have generally fared less well. But it also must be noted here that many
developing countries still lack access to the basic requirements that innovations need. Another
reason for urging to support developing countries that still fall behind on making progress toward
the Global Goals, like poverty and health, is to make sure they have a digital connection. As of
2021, 2.9 billion people were still offline, of which 96% live in developing countries, despite strong
global growth in the use of the internet.103

AN ESTIMATED 37% OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION – 2.9 BILLION PEOPLE –

HAVE NEVER USED THE INTERNET.104

Further supporting this notion, research focusing on a company level recognizes the existence of
a positive and strong relationship between innovation and sustainability performance. A recent
study of the relationship between innovation and sustainability found that innovation positively
impacts sustainability, and evidence of innovation size or degree has a direct effect on sustainability
performance.105 This is to say that innovation drives sustainable progress, yet for it to have a
significant impact, we must steer the application of technology in the right direction. A diverse
spectrum of innovative ideas will be required for true transformation to achieve this huge global
shift to a sustainable economy and world. Let’s distinguish incremental innovation from radical
transformation.

Incremental innovation can be qualified as “change as usual.” This refers to a series of

improvements made to a company’s existing products or services.The incremental strategies are
very relevant and useful, but only if achieved at scale. If large companies improve their current
business models and processes in such a way that their negative ecological footprint is reduced
by technologically fueled efficiency measures, this will have a tremendous impact on a large scale.
Yet, to really address the world’s challenges and solve our most pressing problems, another type
of innovation is needed.We need radical innovation. Radical innovation drastically transforms the
way businesses use resources to manufacture, distribute, consume, and recycle products. Advanced
technologies can support incremental innovation, but their true value is realized through radical
innovation that breaks away from the status quo and catapults us into a new era of sustainable
progress.

SOLVING CLIMATE CHANGE MAY BE THE GREATEST MOONSHOT CHALLENGE

OF OUR TIME.

A specific, fascinating form of radical innovation is “moonshot” thinking. Moonshot innovations

refer to the approach of choosing huge, seemingly insurmountable problems and proposing radical
solutions using disruptive technologies.106 The concept of the moonshot derives from the Apollo
11 spaceflight project that landed the first human on the moon in 1969. Mostly in the conceptual
or prototype phase, moonshots are theoretically grand and “shoot for the moon.” Moonshot
thinking is a visionary way of addressing business challenges and the world’s largest problems. It is
the starting point from which impactful solutions are imagined and created.The world needs more
moonshot innovations and more companies with moonshot vision to achieve our Global Goals.

37
 Moonshot ambitions unlock big-picture inspiration and motivation for forward-thinking companies.
In business, moonshot thinking empowers people to look for unconventional solutions, with a high
probability of success.While organizations go beyond established ways of doing things and assume
that everything is possible, teams can use fast-paced experimentation to continuously learn and
improve.107 Allowing moonshot ideas to be expressed throughout businesses lessens the fear of
failure and helps teams focus on success. However, making these quantum leaps in innovation is
uncharted territory, and setting such grand ambitions demands a lot of courage. Solving climate
change, hunger, poverty, and the other Global Goals are the ultimate moonshot challenges of our
time; they need radical solutions in the form of moonshot innovations.

Many purpose-driven startups and tech giants are aiming toward moonshot solutions. Consider
Microsoft as a leader in implementing moonshot thinking as the company is now striving for a net
positive impact across its operations.While other corporate heavyweights, such as Amazon and
Walmart, pledge to go carbon neutral in the same timeframe, Microsoft vows to go even further
to be carbon negative by 2030.108 In doing so, they endeavor to remove more carbon from the
atmosphere than they produce.This next-level ambition is exemplary of moonshot innovation,
since the business reasons for the end goal, such as beating climate change, primarily aim to find
radical solutions for the good of both the company and the world.

MOONSHOT INNOVATIONS COMBINE ALL TECH SECTORS, NEW TECHS, AND

NETWORKS TO REINVENT SOLUTIONS THAT BENEFIT PEOPLE, PLANET,
AND PROFIT.

Radical solutions need breakthrough technologies. Alphabet’s X lab, a former Google division,
is an example of an entity with moonshot vision. Its mission is “to invent and launch moonshot
technologies that can make the world a radically better place.”109 Specifically, X’s business solutions
span from the launch of the Waymo self-driving car unit to a computational agriculture project
called Mineral. One of its most prolific and innovative moonshots with broadscale implications was
to supply a foundational internet network for everyone on Earth as a condition for enhancing the
value of the 4IR.

Moonshots are not necessarily disruptive.This is only the case if innovations push older, existing
business models and technologies out of the market. Moonshot innovations, however, typically
unlock new markets since they bring about radical new solutions, often with new business models
in a new market. Even when industry shifts happen overnight, full market disruption is not typically
experienced until after a long process of development with a moonshot innovation preceding it.
Radical moonshot innovations, disruptive or not, in addition to more incremental movements, are
important in the shift to a more sustainable world.This is what the 4IR’s technologies set out to
do.They enable businesses to “shoot for the moon” to achieve radical technological breakthroughs
that go far beyond what we could imagine.

38
5 IN BUSINESS
ALPHABET X110
Initiative: Project Loon
Headquarters: Mountain View, California USA

Alphabet X is a diverse group of inventors and entrepreneurs who build and

launch technologies that aim to improve the lives of billions of people. It calls
itself “the moonshot factory.” However, the groundbreaking tech company also
found that moonshot innovations are very challenging, as the path to both tech-
nical and financial success after the drawing board phase is both nonlinear and
tough. One of their moonshot innovation projects, Loon, which was shut down
after nine years, sought to address the issue of 50% of the world’s population
that does not yet have internet access (SDGs 10,11).111 This was an important,
even crucial, mission because if people have no access to the internet, they cannot
benefit from the value of advanced technologies (SDG 12).

X also found how difficult moonshot innovations really are, as its mission was not
accomplished due to the fact it failed to find a sustainable business model and
partners necessary to continue operating with Loon. Alastair Westgarth, CEO of
Alphabet X’s Project Loon, said: “We haven’t found a way to get the costs low
enough to build a long-term, sustainable business.Today, I’m sad to share that
Loon will be winding down.”112

Although many moonshot innovations fail, they often inspire new variations that
become successful in the end.When the project ended, X pledged a fund of $10
million to support nonprofits and businesses focused on connectivity, the inter-
net, entrepreneurship, and education in Kenya (SDG 17).113 This ensures that all
parties will not lose anything in the end.

39
 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
From here onward, the eight technology chapters will spark your imagination, allowing you to
imagine how technology can fast-forward achieving the SDGs while creating good business at the
same time. Imagination is the key to solutions.When we envision a better world, the realization of
that world becomes our purpose.

The following pages expand on the nature of these eight techs, their market size, and the Global
Goals they affect. Most importantly we touch on how these technologies are being applied for
good in different business sectors.The chapters ahead are bursting with ideas, aimed at creating
a better world for everyone, through radical tech innovation.We do this without being naïve or
losing sight of the possible downsides and risks associated with these techs.To make better use of
4IR technologies, all stakeholders must jointly overcome hurdles and be cautious of relevant risks
while moving in a new direction.

Tech for Good is a growing global movement. A better future for us all, which we create together,
awaits. Join the Tech for Good movement.

Together we can solve the world’s greatest challenges.

40
TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 ARTIFICIAL
INTELLIGENCE AND DATA 2

AI IS NEITHER GOOD NOR BAD.

IT’S A TOOL WE MUST USE RESPONSIBLY,
TO PROMT GROWTH AND HEIGHTEN EFFICIENCY
IN MANY INDUSTRIES.

43
 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine finally finding a way to curb world hunger. Imagine overcoming global food shortages by
enhancing and automating crop yields. Picture the year 2050.The global population is at its peak.
Communities that were once deprived of basic sustenance now have all their nutritional needs
met. It would be a prosperous world, wouldn’t it? By efficiently sowing fertile fields and harvesting
rich produce, our planet could achieve an enhanced food production model.

It is possible to materialize this future using the power of technological advancements in artificial
intelligence (AI) and data.Through sound and deliberate management of these technological
applications, we have the power to balance out inefficiencies and sustainably manage resources. As
one of the most pressing global issues, world hunger needs to be addressed by way of business and
scientific innovations. Food shortages stem from both socioeconomic and environmental pressures,
thereby creating failure in the market mechanism to balance supply and demand. Because there
is no greater mission of the human condition than supporting basic survival needs, it is logical
that tech entrepreneurs, CEOs and government officials make agricultural advancement a
priority.

The power of AI and data analytics can give rise to a world without fear of hunger and food
shortages. Following business trends, the agricultural industry is maximizing efficiency by turning
to AI and data management technologies. Farmers are increasingly using precision agriculture AI
systems to improve harvest quality and accuracy for crop management by creating probability
models for seasonal forecasting.

It is exciting that we can now enable automated maintenance of farms with minimal human
intervention.That which once required environment-dependent conditions on the field can
now be replicated in the greenhouse, resulting in excellent crop yields in terms of quantity and
quality.With an AI-based system for data collection, we are automating the labor-dependent
process to transform food production forever. Scientists and businesses are now applying AI
and data management to the agricultural production process of farming – the most ancient
industry is joining forces with the latest in technology. From weather pattern predictions to pest
control monitoring, satellite data enables farmers to tap into and integrate massive sources of
information into their daily practice. AI brings the data together and synthesizes analytics to
provide recommendations to farmers about how they can increase crop production on their land.

The Earth’s ecosystems are highly complex. Everything is connected through cyclical interactions,
and it is nearly impossible to isolate our actions or assess individual impacts.Yet, even through
these highly evolved natural systems, AI and precise data analytics are breaking through to assist in

44
creating business value and sustainable growth. Market research predicts the number of data points
gathered on an average farm will grow from around 190,000 today to 4.1 million in 2050.1 This
volume of crop analytics is advancing rapidly, and has become too abundant for humans to
process.Therefore, farmers and agricultural technology workers are turning to AI to help analyze
data points. As a result, the value derived from these data sources is greatly enhanced.

Despite all the benefits that AI and data could bring to agriculture, the way this tech is sometimes
portrayed in the media raises suspicions. Concerns arise of a dystopian world where intelligent
robots seize human jobs and people’s privacy is put at risk due to invasive high-tech surveillance.
This viewpoint considers a future with AI dominating humanity in various contexts. Ethical
questions posed by the development of autonomous machines or weapons analyze the misuse of
data for destructive operations. But are AI solutions and data management applications really all
that bad? Evaluating such concerns entails a critical understanding of what AI and data really are,
and the extent of their capacity to influence human lives.The sustainable dimension of this capacity
has the unprecedented potential to bring about viable solutions.

Breakthroughs in the AI and data tech space are opening new business opportunities and economic
potentials. A leading objective of modern science is to enable machines to function as intelligently
as humans. Although technology has not yet arrived at this level, we could potentially experience
machines adopting human cognition and instincts in the near future.With sensors that supply data,
and advanced machine learning systems that build algorithmic models based on that information,
tech is emulating agricultural ecosystems and facilitating the understanding of food networks like
never before. Sensors that operate continuously can be installed in farm machinery to gather
useful data such as temperature, humidity, light levels, fertilizer composition, and other parameters.
Analytics models have the capacity to look months ahead and use previously collected data to
provide farmers with base predictions for the season’s most suitable crop varieties, ideal planting
times and fertile soil locations.

Imagine how we can use models and calibrate machines to improve soil conditions, consequently
boosting crop production to optimize farm management.The possibilities here are endless.With
tech-assistance in determining aspects of irrigation or fertilizer use, AI-based smart farming
can automate processes that accelerate and streamline agricultural activities. Emerging as a
force for good that could change the way we lead our lives forever, AI and data can have a truly
transformational impact on world hunger alleviation.

45
2 EXPLORING
AI AND DATA
Tech innovations are permeating all aspects of our lives.The digital environment, including AI
and data technologies, is experiencing rapid progress.This chapter uncovers the transformative
capabilities of these tech solutions to address some of the world’s most pressing issues.With
a universal reach that touches vast areas of our daily lives and beyond, AI and data will have
profound implications for business growth in nearly all industries including agriculture, automotive,
environmental, textiles and education.

Many SDG sectors will benefit from AI and data proliferation in the coming years.The following
pages explore business opportunities in the field of education, where many students with relatively
serious learning needs can rely on AI and data for academic accessibility and capacity building.Tech
applications addressing affordable and clean energy are also touched on in the context of machine
learning, heat maps, and smart meters. Data analytics is also an important aspect for growth in
many industries. Further refining algorithms to track and monitor our consumption patterns, the
tech is disrupting markets for business success and benefitting the environment alike.

In an ideal scenario, AI and data offer task completion and operability at scale, while also enabling
a high degree of efficiency that surpasses the human dimension. Such advanced technology that
infiltrates every aspect of our lives also presents risks and challenges. AI and data specific issues
and how to mitigate these are addressed at the end of this chapter.

46
THE TECH
From general applications like mobility, communication and medicine, to more technical
aspects such as gaming, reasoning, and robotics, AI is transforming our world. It is touching and
revolutionizing the very essence of our daily lives. AI’s ability to transform vast amounts of complex
and ambiguous information into actionable insights allows us to solve some of the world’s most
enduring problems. Data collation and management is now performed with greater efficiency and
at a broader scale than humans could ever do manually. As the constructive amalgamation of
computers, algorithms and robots that mimic the intelligence observed in humans, AI’s capabilities
span knowledge learning, problem-solving, and rationalizing. Specifically, AI comprises a set of
processes including data analytics, enabling technology, applications, and software that make
existing computing smarter. In addition to its predominant Science,Technology, Engineering and
Mathematics (STEM) learning and research uses, AI possesses other salient qualities in the field of
social sciences, bringing together components of humanities such as psychology and philosophy.
Thus, unlike traditional computing, AI can make decisions on its own, in a range of situations,
without any pre-programing or human intervention.

Data access and collection are integral to AI operation. As a process of gathering and measuring
information from countless different sources, data collection is to computers what socialization
is to a child.To learn and adapt to the surrounding world, both children and computers need
awareness of existing information, norms, standards and practices. Ideally, data accessed and
collected are used to develop practical AI and machine learning solutions. For optimal results, only
those data that are appropriate for the business problem at hand are collected and stored.While
data collection entails the gathering of large swathes of information, there must be standards in
place for AI to capture the most optimal range of necessary data.

The ultimate economic potential of AI and data is based on the principle of expanding
technological possibilities that were previously impossible.This is precisely the quality that
underscores AI’s economy-wide application and power as an efficiency multiplier. Rather than
augmenting or accelerating existing capabilities, this tech can and should aim to change
the game and disrupt markets, industries and the entire commercial foundation on which societies
are built. Existing applications include self-driving cars, human speech and translation, and more
efficient supply chains. Currently, AI taps machine learning using large amounts of data and powerful
algorithms to develop increasingly robust predictions about the future.

The majority of AI is centered on systems that can learn and evolve through information and
experience, often to carry out specialized tasks such as driving, playing strategy-based games,
or making investment decisions.This subset, also referred to as cognitive computing, needs to
be trained by learning from experts. AI deals with developing computing systems capable of
performing tasks that humans are very good at, for example recognizing objects, processing
speech and making decisions in a constrained environment. By concentrating on these current
abilities, the focus for the future centers on creating an Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) that
can apply itself to a broad range of tasks in a much less structured way. In other words, AGI will
function in a more human way, considering areas of greater uncertainty rather than making binary
decisions.

With the wave of automation gaining momentum, we are observing widespread and rapid adoption
of early AI technologies that are transforming industries across every sector.This will have wide-
ranging implications for organizations, countries and ultimately the global economy. Nothing but
acceleration awaits as parallel technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT) unlock more
AI opportunities.Today, AI and data processes empowering organizations, governments and
communities are not novel phenomena.The growing practice builds a high-performing ecosystem
to serve the entire world.The tech’s profound impact on human lives is solving some of today’s
most critical challenges.

47
 SOUND FOUNDATIONS
Since the mid-1950s, AI has been one of the most revolutionary developments in human history.
Now, more than half a century later, the world is witnessing the tech’s transformative capabilities
that are powering some of the most cutting-edge solutions in the modern era. In recent years,
software-driven advancements such as cloud computing and groupware have allowed AI to
progress at a rapid pace. Artificially intelligent machines are able to sift through and interpret
massive amounts of data from multitudinous sources to execute a wide range of tasks.To augment
human capabilities with expertise, AI and data solutions are emerging in a variety of sectors.

AI’s self-learning nature is the foundation of the tech’s evolution to produce extraordinary
breakthroughs. For instance, IBM’s Watson supports medical professionals by providing analysis of
a breadth of research that human doctors are not able to read. In addition, AI has beyond-human
capabilities to analyze high-resolution images from satellites, drones or medical scans.These in
turn have the potential to beneficially impact responses to a wide range of global challenges such
as humanitarian emergencies, agricultural scarcity and climate impacts.

Technological capabilities unique to AI and data processing allow for unprecedented business
growth. Machine learning is a form of AI that uses algorithms that allow computers to self-
learn by processing data and running models based on internal examples rather than relying on
human programming. For example, a machine learning technique called deep learning, inspired by
biological neural networks, can find and remember patterns in large volumes of data.These deep
learning systems execute tasks automatically without being programmed and generally outperform
traditional machine-learning algorithms in terms of time and efficiency.

MARKET SIZE OF AI AND DATA

AI has seen enormous growth in recent years.The market growth is driven predominantly by the
increasing adoption of cloud-based applications and services, as well as a rise in the connected
device market.2 The global AI market size is expected to grow from $44.51 billion in 2021 to
$56.89 billion in 2022, at a compound annual growth rate of 27.8%.3 In terms of the projected
growth rate, the global market saw an increase in published patent applications involving AI at a
monumental scale of 283% from 2010 to 2016.4 By 2025, the market is expected to surge to $126
billion.5

IN 2021 THE GLOBAL AI MARKET SIZE WAS VALUED AT $93.5 BILLION AND IS
PROJECTED TO REACH $1.82 TRILLION BY 2030 WITH A CAGR OF 38.1%.6

AI will enable a range of disruptive business models.7 This entails developing a more personalized
set of products or services based on deep customer insight from multiple datasets and learning
preferences over time. Moreover, a closed-loop process making room for more effective and
efficient production and consumption is expected to be designed and managed by AI tech at a
scale and complexity that is beyond existing approaches. On an organizational level, agile and
adaptive behaviors will come into play to make more sense of customer-focused data, markets and
operations.They will anticipate the best strategies to adapt and respond to changing needs.

BUSINESS OPERATIONS MIGRATING TO THE PUBLIC CLOUD CAN REDUCE

TOTAL IT CO2 EMISSIONS BY NEARLY 60 MILLION TONS PER YEAR, WHICH
EQUATES TO TAKING 22 MILLION CARS OFF THE ROAD.8

48
Many compelling examples exist of how AI and data are being used for good across many
industries. One primary area of focus is smart city design. Business leaders are exploring the
capacity of AI within cities to improve design, enhance quality of life and optimize operations. Using
this technology urban planners can produce design solutions that transform public spaces with
possibilities that include tracking resident wellbeing and analyzing social behavior. Advanced sensors
on buildings that generate pertinent data regarding how people interact with a property or move
around a space can track efficiency and accessibility. Not only does this tech solution save both
money and energy, but it also ensures citizen satisfaction.The smart building market was valued at
approximately $83 billion in 2020 and is expected to reach over $229 billion by 2026, at a CAGR
of over 11.33%.9

THERE IS A $14 TRILLION ESTIMATED ECONOMIC INCREASE OF ADDITIONAL

GROSS VALUE ADDED BY AI IN 2035.10

Significant investment in 5G technology is also playing a key role in AI market development, as is

an increase in demand for intelligent virtual assistants. For instance, in March 2019, Apple acquired
the machine learning startup Laserlike of Silicon Valley.This move strengthened Apple’s AI efforts
including upgrading virtual assistant Siri.11 Key AI market opportunities include the potential for
improving operational efficiency in the manufacturing industry and customer service in the retail
sector.12 Further, the increasing implication of machine learning applications in manufacturing
industries is anticipated to power the market.

AI-POWERED ROBOTS
Over the past decade, a salient rise in demand has been observed in developed countries for a
crucial component of AI: customized robots. Countries have been focused on manufacturing and
supplying AI-powered industrial robots. For instance, in 2016, China exported around 87,000
industrial robots worldwide.13 Similarly, in 2016 South Korea and Japan supplied around 41,400 and
38,600 of these robots, respectively, that all require an AI platform to function.

Investment banking and high-frequency market trading are sectors that employ many of the
algorithms used to develop AI. AI allows investors to collect and analyze more information than
ever before when accounting for environmental, social and governance risks and opportunities.
With AI robo-advisers that analyze millions of data points and execute trades at the optimal
price, the tech can help investors process large volumes of data that hold essential information
for sustainable investing decisions.This enables analysts to forecast markets with greater accuracy
while trading firms efficiently mitigate risk to provide higher returns.

Underscoring these tech benefits, electronic trades account for almost 45% of revenues in cash
equities trading.14 Future examples where AI and data could be applied to sustainable investing
include the optimization and balancing of energy usage, both in consumer and industrial settings,
and the potential for reduced waste and fuel usage.To help financial services firms and individual
investors navigate the evolving world of sustainability investing, Lab49 has partnered with
Databricks to develop a novel AI and data solution to the increasingly complex market sector.

49
 6 IN BUSINESS
LAB4915
Initiative: Empowering Sustainable Investing with AI
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland

Lab49 is a specialist consultancy that designs and develops innovative technology

solutions in partnership with key participants in financial markets. Despite the in-
crease of the sustainable investing market segment and its rate of growth, standards
for reporting on and tracking the ESG performance of investments have been slow
to emerge. Many specialized ratings companies and data providers now exist, but
consensus around benchmarks, attributes, or what should be tracked is lacking.

As demand and investor sophistication continue to grow in the coming years,

new standards and techniques are needed for financial institutions to serve their
customers more easily and fairly. Firms today are faced with the rapid proliferation
and fragmentation of data, much of which comes in an unstructured form requiring
sophisticated techniques for analysis.Third party data sources are also only updat-
ed on a periodic basis, creating time lags that can negatively impact decision making
and tracking as well as mismatches between sources. Further, investors do not
all share the same concerns and need better tools to assess potential investment
portfolios.

Working with San Francisco-based AI and data company Databricks, Lab49 seeks
new solutions to these investment challenges (SDG 17).16 Databricks’ data driven
ESG industry solution creates more timely analytics around sustainability perfor-
mance from publicly available sources. Lab49 and Databricks have developed an
end-to-end proof of concept for delivering analytics and aim for a high-quality user
experience.The tech solution enables all levels of investors or financial advisors
to interact with the data and make informed decisions (SDG 10). “The novel tech
solution demonstrates how financial services firms can improve their capabilities
around data, analytics and customer-facing applications to respond to clients’ evolv-
ing needs related to ESG and investing in general,” says Lab49 Director of Opera-
tions Ashley Whitney.17

The Databricks solution gathers sustainability reports from individual companies,

combining them with publicly available media aggregated from numerous sources to
measure the broader market’s view of the same companies.This is achieved via the
application of natural language processing (NLP), as well as AI and machine learn-
ing techniques.18 The combination of analytics from these two sources creates a
broad dataset for comparing the areas companies are choosing to put emphasis on
publicly versus how the market perceives their behavior and the outcomes of their
actions (SDGs 9,12).This amalgamates a vast array of additional data sources in-
cluding ESG ratings from third parties, derived from other alternative data sources,
and economic performance to drive investment decisions.

50
In the medical sector, AI is also making an impact. Nvidia, one of the largest chip makers on the
planet, is a serious investor in AI technology and its chips are key to pushing the technology
forward.19 Because AI requires more computational power than traditional algorithms, heavy
investment in new chip designs is an industry imperative. So far, Nvidia has concentrated its AI
investments in the technology’s use in the automotive, robotics, construction and healthcare
industries. Nvidia has partnered with computer software company Nuance to use deep learning
chips and a platform to bring AI to medical imaging. Nuance’s ambient clinical intelligence
technology is an example of how it is accelerating the development of solutions for urgent
problems in the US healthcare system by training its automatic speech recognition (ASR) and
natural language processing (NLP) models using Nvidia’s chips. Nuance has realized a 50% speedup
in ASR and NLP model training on Nvidia products without loss of accuracy, helping to reduce
their time to market.20

LABOR PRODUCTIVITY IMPROVEMENTS ARE EXPECTED TO ACCOUNT FOR

OVER 55% OF ALL GDP GAINS FROM AI FROM 2017 TO 2030.21

Projections for the benefits of AI show massive financial potential. AI techniques cited by McKinsey
can potentially create between $3.5 trillion and $5.8 trillion in value per annum across nine
business functions in 19 industries.22 This constitutes about 40% of the overall $9.5 to $15.4
trillion annual impact that all analytical techniques could potentially enable.The market is projected
to grow due to the rising availability of high-quality and personalized AI-enhanced products and
services.

Figure 3
AI value creation across sectors, derived from McKinsey & Company. 23

51
 Other areas where AI has a sizable impact on business are retail and marketing. Considered to
derive the most significant potential value from AI, these business sectors rely on the tech for
product pricing, promotion, and customer service management. Not only does this aspect of AI
respond to the SDGs related to industry and manufacturing, but it also drives economic growth
and consumer satisfaction. Using customer data to personalize promotions, for example including
tailoring individual offers every day, is an example that could lead to a 1% to 2% increase in
incremental sales for retailers alone.24

$189.56
$387.45 $1.82 billion
billion trillion 2030 expected
2022 2030 global global
global AI AI market advanced
market size.25 projection.26 data analytics
market.27

AI AND DATA FOR GOOD

If implemented correctly, AI and data are powerful examples of tech for good. Global agencies
note that anticipated benefits of AI are widespread, ranging from peace to prosperity.The 2017
UN Artificial Intelligence Summit held in Geneva identified AI as one of the most important
global initiatives for its potential to accelerate progress towards a “dignified life.”28 Not only
businesses, but also individuals and societies as a whole stand to reap substantial value from the
unprecedented comprehensive applications of this technology.

AI is responsible for many common elements in our daily lives we may take for granted: self-driving
cars and voice/face recognition in smartphones; sustainable development and assisting global efforts
to eliminate poverty and hunger; protecting the environment and conserving natural resources.
The pervasive nature of this technology means that humankind will experience it in all aspects
of life across all sectors. Forward-looking companies are seeing the business benefits and the
global community is responding by implementing the tech into sustainable initiatives. Fortunately,
AI and data have capabilities that are being harnessed to tackle societal moonshot challenges.29
Breakthroughs in cancer research and climate science, for instance, are two monumental
contributions from AI and data technological advancements.

52
More than ever before, businesses are employing strategies to inspire innovative solutions and new
ideas for managing complex systems in the transition to a sustainable future. Big and little data are
crucial to the success of this shift. Increasingly sophisticated AI algorithms that function without
human intervention fine-tune existing business models at a faster pace.Tech companies like Google,
Amazon and Microsoft are offering software development platforms that aid in this innovation.
Using their corporate stance for good, these corporations help automate the process of building
machine learning systems, which lowers barriers and greatly expands the number of software
developers capable of accessing these innovative tech tools for mission-driven organizations and
cost-reduction.30

Sustainable solutions featured with strong representation in the corporate context translate to
more sustainable profits for businesses. Recent large investments reveal a burgeoning AI market,
where businesses with heavy ecological footprints experience firsthand how they can implement
the tech to shift their activities to be more environmentally conscious and socially responsible.
One example is IBM using AI for improved weather forecasting, which is improving predictions for
30% more accuracy. 31 Not only does this benefit IBM’s business, but it also helps renewable energy
companies that use the tech giant’s products to better manage their operational plants. In this
regard, businesses will maximize renewable energy production while reducing carbon emissions.

Although making institutional changes on a large scale is potentially daunting, the ultimate reward
is well worth it.With the capacity to be more capable and successful than ever before, businesses
are anticipated to flourish.The infinite possibilities of AI and data present unprecedented potential
and the applications are truly unlimited as AI and data continuously develop to build on their own
capabilities by way of a self-learning structure. Google for example created an AI that teaches itself
to reduce the energy it takes to cool the company data centers, which ensures a 40% reduction in
energy used for cooling and a 15% reduction in overall energy overhead.32 There are many ways
in which AI and data can be used for good, while also being profitable throughout various business
sectors.Tech leaders including Microsoft, IBM and Google have business initiatives specifically
dedicating resources to build AI solutions for good and supporting developers who do as well.33

84% OF C-SUITE EXECUTIVES BELIEVE THEY NEED TO LEVERAGE AI TO

ACHIEVE THEIR GROWTH OBJECTIVES.34

While challenges and concerns persist regarding how AI technologies and data analytics are being
detrimentally used around the globe, there are numerous ways in which this tech is benefiting
societies and businesses. Many of these initiatives include advancements in the following sectors:
agricultural, healthcare, climate, finance, education, infrastructure and environment. From assessing
the learning capabilities of students and helping people with disabilities to managing agricultural
output and creating sustainable cities, AI and data are being used to implement major changes
for good all over the globe. On the next page we highlight how tech superpowers Google and
Microsoft are using their vast resources to leverage AI for good to take on global warming and
climate impacts.

53
 7 IN BUSINESS
MICROSOFT35 AND GOOGLE36
Initiative: AI for Earth and AI for Social Good
Headquarters: Redmond,Washington and Mountain View, California USA

When organizing large datasets for climate modeling and developing more sustain-
able spaces, AI has unprecedented potential to employ its capabilities. Microsoft’s
AI for Earth37 and Google’s AI for Social Good38 initiatives lead the way for big
businesses tackling climate issues (SDG 13). “AI is one of the most important things
humanity is working on. It is more profound than electricity or fire,” says Google
CEO Sundar Pichai.39

Microsoft’s AI for Earth program supports a range of innovative solutions for those
working to solve global environmental challenges, including agrimetrics (compris-
ing heightened connectivity and automation across the food and farming sectors),
cloud agronomics (remote-sensing tech and AI to monitor forest and crop health
through analytics) and breeze technologies (developing compact air quality sensors
to create hyperlocal maps) (SDGs 2,9,12,15).40 Some AI for Earth projects also
include a government think-tank in India working to develop AI applications for
small-scale farming.41 China, too, has launched a pilot program to develop automat-
ed farming technologies such as unmanned combine harvesters or robotic trac-
tors.42

In 2018, Google issued an open call to organizations promoting ideas for how AI
can address societal challenges. Google received over 2,500 applications from 119
countries across six continents with diverse projects that ranged from environmen-
tal to humanitarian. Of these, one of the most notable was a research team from
the Department of Computer Science at Makerere University in Uganda that was
concerned with the disproportionate effects of air quality issues in low-income
countries (SDGs 1,13,16). A solution called AirQo was developed- an initiative that
combines human ingenuity, AI models, and boxes packed with air monitoring tech-
nology to predict pollution patterns in Kampala.43 Air sensors placed on buildings
and taxis collect massive quantities of pollution data in the city, while cloud-based
AI software performs data analysis (SDGs 9,11).The tech passes data on to gov-
ernment agencies working to improve air quality and reduce the risk of exposure
within local communities (SDGs 3,10).

54
AI FOR GOOD
With a universal reach that will touch all sectors, AI has the potential to help make decisions
about SDG impacts in areas such as agriculture, water, energy, and transport.These could add
more than $5 trillion to the global economy over the next decade.44 AI and Data management
can help businesses bridge perceived gaps between profitability and sustainability.There is ample
opportunity for AI to drive positive change on these two fronts across many sectors. By measuring
sustainability and economic metrics in various business applications, AI can help reduce waste and
enhance productivity.

$6.6 TRILLION OF AI’S CONTRIBUTION TO THE GLOBAL ECONOMY BY 2030

WILL LIKELY BE THE RESULT OF INCREASED PRODUCTIVITY.
AN ADDITIONAL $9.1 TRILLION IS PROJECTED TO STEM FROM CONSUMPTION
PATTERN CHANGES.45

In the global retail sector for example, using AI to measure the probability of need, demand and
consumption addresses profit losses from products expiring and avoids holding on to products
that become redundant due to seasonal trends. In other industrial business trends, the circular
economy of plastics requires a comprehensive approach to production and extended use to
conserve resources and protect the environment. Companies can improve profitability and
reliability with solutions that leverage insights enabled by AI and machine learning, all the while
reducing capital investments.

Renewable energy systems that are AI-enhanced – including bioethanol, biodiesel, carbon capture,
solar and wind initiatives, as well as carbon capture from industrial operations - continue to grow
in popularity to help mitigate climate change.The tech is developed as an approach that greatly
increases model accuracy, quality, and performance across the entire industrial asset lifecycle.
Forward-thinking companies like AspenTech are optimizing assets and are investing significant
resources in developing highly effective embedded AI modeling applications to support the design
and commercial scale-up of carbon capture technology.46

“TO DEVELOP AI IN A RESPONSIBLE WAY, IT IS CRITICAL THAT YOU HAVE

THE PROPER GOVERNING APPROACH AND MAKE SURE DATA ARE ALL
ANONYMIZED.”47 - ERICSON CHAN, CEO OF PING AN

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) – the largest association of nature
conservation groups – drafted its program for the 2021 to 2024 period identifying AI as one of the
main enablers to achieve its goals related to core program areas.Within AI, the IUCN considers
the use of big data and machine learning as the most important enablers in the organization’s
future programs.48

55
 DATA FOR GOOD
AI technologies are closely associated with data science and analytics. Upcoming advancements
in these tech applications have unparalleled potential to solve problems that humans and current
systems cannot.While AI improves the efficiency and speed of business models by taking on
responsibility for more routine work at a lower cost, data analytics techniques reveal trends and
metrics that can be used to optimize business processes and increase efficiency. Data monitoring
and tracking are essential for making progress. Businesses that are able to utilize and respond to
data in a way that most efficiently targets their bottom line will be the most successful.

BIG DATA AND AI CAN HELP ADDRESS SOME OF THE WORLD’S GREATEST
CHALLENGES IN WAYS THAT HUMANS AND CURRENT SYSTEMS CANNOT.

Organizations such as Data for Good serve as a type of global progress tracker, which allows
stakeholders to easily visualize the progress being made by change agents all over the world.49 As
a sort of global control center, Data for Good tracks business progress at various levels: per SDGs,
per country, per organization, per mission, and per project.The platform efficiently coordinates
mobilization for stakeholder engagement in achieving the 17 SDGs.With a stakeholder engagement
model that focuses on collaboration, Data for Good’s mission is to create an ecosystem for change.
It is the first platform of its kind to portray global sustainability data into easy-to-understand
dashboards to track progress.

This is where big data comes in. It refers to large datasets that are computationally analyzed for
patterns and trends.50 It is also being used together with AI to generate new forms of information
to address some of the world’s biggest challenges. Automated business processing companies like
Salesforce and Intuit draw upon the data of many customers, creating new insights and patterns
that help businesses respond to customer and societal needs. As another example, larger and
better-curated government and third-party datasets are also being used to access information for
good.

THE POSSIBILITIES ARE LIMITLESS. NOT ONLY BUSINESSES, BUT

NONPROFITS CAN UTILIZE DATA TO ACHIEVE THEIR GOALS.

Beyond corporations and governments, the nonprofit sector also benefits from AI and data.
The forest monitoring project Global Forest Watch51 and the technology nonprofit Rainforest
Connection52 use machine learning to identify factors that contribute to forest losses in the Congo
and the Amazon. Other examples include the sustainable fisheries initiative, Global Fishing Watch,
which analyzed approximately 22 billion messages from fishing boats to uncover illegal industrial
fishing vessels.53 To access external data sources, organizations can also use data analytics solutions
such as Tableau and Alteryx, which both have programs to help mission-driven organizations use
their platforms.

56
If we take a natural resources standpoint, data are presenting a high degree of ecological value.
Tropical forest regions, seascapes and mangroves are all areas where big data has been informing
larger AI projects to help monitor biodiversity and track individual and communal behavior for
improved resource management. From the business perspective, AI in this context will acquire
data and set rules about the access to nature by communities, including decisions about where,
when and how to intervene for conservation initiatives if necessary. Such examples show that
stakeholders from both the private and public sectors have essential roles to play in ensuring that
AI and data can achieve business goals for the betterment of society and the planet. How data are
collected and generated will be pertinent for enhancing business practices.

THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF DATA COLLECTION MUST BE HARNESSED.

THE AI4SDGS COOPERATION NETWORK

The AI4SDGs Cooperation Network aims to advance the SDGs and digital cooperation through
AI innovation and partner networks with AI related institutions, universities, and industries all
over the world. It will collectively promote the realization of the SDGs through AI and advance
the development with beneficial use of AI while avoiding the negative impacts.54 The AI4SDGs
Cooperation Network will especially support underdeveloped countries and regions and promote
the realization of leaving no one behind.

AI AND DATA PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS

AI and data are looking to make exciting technological breakthroughs in spaces that can enhance
business productivity and shift economies to new heights. Recent studies show that AI and data can
potentially act as catalysts for addressing 134 targets, or 79% of initiatives across all the SDGs.55
The benefits are endless and beyond what the world could have expected a few decades ago, as
some examples of areas of application across a wide variety of sectors demonstrate below.

57
 GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING
This can be addressed by combining various types of alternative data sources such as
geospatial data, social media data, telecommunications data, online search data,
and vaccination data.These datasets can thus help predict virus and disease
transmission patterns, as well as be highly relevant in optimizing food distribution
networks in areas facing shortages and famine. From a healthcare standpoint, supporting diagnosis
in areas such as detecting small variations from the baseline in patients’ health data or comparing
similar patients could generate business opportunities for lifesaving tech solutions. United Kingdom
based AI startup Okra Technologies has launched a new software platform that regulates the
price that can be charged for new medications years ahead of when these pharmaceuticals are
launched.56 Not only does it create business value, but this platform uses AI to dramatically free up
the time spent on crunching datasets, modeling scenarios, and building price predictions.

QUALITY EDUCATION
Scholastic tech programs can make an impact on improving student outcomes
dramatically. AI is being used in student homework programs to respond and adjust
to their learning needs, resulting in a tailor-made curriculum. In addition, advanced
facial recognition technology gives certainty to education authorities that the
correct students are sitting their exam papers. Capability building can also help augment academic
initiatives through a focus on accessible education opportunities such as online courses and freely
available guides, as well as contributions of time by organizations such as technology companies
that employ highly skilled AI talent.57 One of the renowned online learning platforms, Coursera,
has AI-produced granular information for effective learning. Owing to the big data analysis
system Coursera offers, the graduation rates of low-income and first-generation college students
have risen by 30% and warning signs have been identified before dropout to allow targeted
interventions.58

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

This is another area where AI has shown promising results. Disseminating power
capabilities in Nigeria, Renewable Africa 365 and Omdena have developed a grid
coverage analysis and machine learning heat maps to identify sites that are most
suitable for solar panel installation.59 AI’s contribution in this pursuit could bring
renewable energy to 100 million people living in communities lacking access to the national grid.60
Smart meters are another ground-breaking technology solution using AI for success. Helping
customers tailor their energy consumption to personal needs, smart meters pave the way for
reduced costs through more customized tariffs and more efficient supply.61 Machine learning
techniques such as these offer broad applications when predicting renewable energy efficiency and
costs, thereby opening a massive source of data that could be used to predict usage patterns and
inform sound recommendations.

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

AI contributes to this category across a broad spectrum, especially through tech
giants like Google. One of Google’s missions is to organize the world’s information
and make it universally accessible and useful.Whether searching for photos of
loved ones, breaking down language barriers in Google Translate, typing emails, or
getting things done with the Google Assistant, AI is enabling this in exciting new ways.62 Streaming
and content providers are increasingly turning to iSize, a London-based company specializing in
deep learning to optimize video streaming and delivery to address the challenge of delivering a

58
reliable and high-quality video experience while managing the financial and environmental costs.63
The tech company has pioneered deep-learning solutions that optimize video streaming quality
while reducing bit rate requirements, which allows for a significant reduction in data and energy
consumption.

REDUCED INEQUALITIES
AI responds to this goal by providing populations from various regions and economic
backgrounds with new ways of looking at existing problems. From rethinking
healthcare to advancing scientific discovery, developing nations are designing AI
sustainability business models to increase the communication capacity of their urban
and rural communities while being economically competitive in international business. Ping An
Technology, part of China’s Ping An Insurance Group, is one of the world’s largest insurers that
invests 1% of its revenues into technology development.The insurer advocates AI as a disruptive
tech solution and endeavors to employ it for the benefit of both their business and society.
Predicting and preventing many kinds of risks, AI improves day-to-day business operations. By
collecting and analyzing data to understand patterns based on the apps people use, Ping An’s credit
team can make more accurate decisions about customer credit which lowers the risk of credit loss
for the company.64

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

AI brings huge value for monitoring and managing consumption and production
patterns.The technology is yielding optimal consumption and production levels,
eliminating waste and vastly improving resource efficiency. Annual estimates of food
waste due to poor transportation, inefficient harvesting practices, processing, and
natural spoilage are all capacities AI can support.65 A startup called Wasteless developed an AI-
powered system for automatically reducing the price of perishable food items, which is reflected in
the price tags on grocery stores shelves.Wasteless helps reduce food waste in grocery stores by at
least 40%, and the company believes it can increase that number to 80% as they further refine this
technology.66 AMP Robotics, based in Denver, Colorado, is a startup that employs robotic systems
to sort recyclable material. AMP has processed over a billion recyclables across installations in
over 20 states, which translates to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of approximately half a
million metric tons.67

CLIMATE ACTION
AI and its innovators also address one of the most pressing issues the planet faces
today. Developers are finding ways to apply the technology to help understand and
fight climate change through simulations, monitoring, and measuring for resource
management. In addition, AI has been deployed in conservation biology. It aids
with more accurate and streamlined wildlife monitoring and data collection made possible using
drones and sensors. AI has the potential to help diverse global businesses fulfill 11% to 45% of
the “Economic Emission Intensity” targets of the Paris Agreement by 2031.68 We find several
climate intelligence startups emerging that offer predictive analytics platforms to enable a range
of businesses to anticipate and prepare for extreme weather events. For example, One Concern
is developing a digital twin of the world’s natural and built environments. It aims to dynamically
model the effects of climate change, offering its customers what it terms Resilience-as-a-Service.69
The company operates primarily in the Japanese market. Other global startups in this space include
Cervest, Climavision, Gro Intelligence, ClimateAI, Jupiter Intelligence and Terrafuse AI.70

59
 AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
ƒ Employ more renewable energy by increasing efficiency through AI
real-time analysis.
ƒ Reduce global energy poverty by using AI agents to propose
energy deals.
ƒ Cut CO2 emissions with advanced data analytics, by enhancing
energy efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ƒ Analyze healthcare records to improve
treatment quality and efficiency.
ƒ Assist in patient diagnosis.
ƒ Reduce pressure on staff by using
robots in healthcare, speeding up the
development of new drugs.

CLIMATE ACTION
ƒ Implement climate change data analysis and climate modeling
to predict climate-related problems.
ƒ Enable sustainable AI and data solutions as a response to rising
energy demand.
ƒ Make informed business decisions to mitigate climate change
through improved modeling and data analysis.

60
 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ƒ Help retailers use deep learning to predict customers’ orders.
ƒ Help employees improve decisions using analysis of complex datasets.
ƒ Accelerate innovation cycles, enable faster production, and improve time
through machine learning.

QUALITY EDUCATION
ƒ Personalize learning
AI AND DATA RESPONSIBLE
CONSUMPTION AND
through AI-powered
education using PRODUCTION
analytics. ƒ Generate optimal
ƒ Improve graduation consumption and
rates of low-income production levels
and first-generation through data
college students. management, waste
ƒ Provide virtual elimination, and
mentors for learners resource efficiency.
by integrating ƒ Manage data with
modeling, classroom greater efficiency
simulation, and using fewer resources
knowledge to improve product
representation. quality.
ƒ Create carbon-neutral
business models.

REDUCED INEQUALITIES
ƒ Design AI sustainability to increase the
communication capacity of urban and rural
communities in developing nations.
ƒ Use data applications and business models to
spot inequalities in legal practices.
ƒ Use AI-inspired devices to correct disabilities,
yielding a more equal and inclusive society.

61
 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
Global communities are increasingly recognizing and utilizing AI and data capabilities.The business
applications emerging for this tech are expanding with new opportunities presenting themselves.
In the most advanced stage, AI and data function without human intervention. Moving beyond
our finite human abilities and skills, advanced iterations of AI and data present continual updated
versions and breakthroughs the world has not seen before.Through organized and responsible
management of AI and data implementation, we have before us the emergence of a new business
strategy. Capturing valuable data will be at the core of the AI revolution and harvesting data about
consumer and societal behavior will be the cornerstone of AI business for good.

44% OF EXECUTIVES BELIEVE THAT FAILURE TO IMPLEMENT AI WILL

ADVERSELY AFFECT THEIR BOTTOM LINE IN THE YEARS TO COME.71

But how can businesses use AI and data to be both profitable and sustainable? The answer may lie
in how the tech’s applications enable organizations to create agile and adaptive business strategies.
These would be strategies that learn and adapt to the rapid evolution of customers and markets.
Through the tech’s unique ability to learn, unlearn, relearn and self-adjust to modify strategies,
autonomous operations for greater efficiency are becoming possible. Businesses are beginning to
move in tandem with the technology’s developments as they are observing benefits of the evolving
AI-driven automation ecosystem. Although the projected rapid pace of AI-driven automation
evolution in the coming years will present each business with challenges, the lucrative market
opportunities expected to come to the forefront and dominate the tech space will be vast as well.

OUR WORLD IS CONSTANTLY CHANGING AND WE MUST LEARN HOW TO

ADAPT IF WE ARE TO KEEP UP. AI OFFERS US A PATH TO ACHIEVE THIS.

Our world today reveals that as we become increasingly connected, businesses have the chance
to collect more data, process targeted insights and innovate at a faster rate.This denotes that
the evolution of markets will be inevitable, featuring marketplaces with lean operations, vibrant
businesses, growing profits, informed consumers and dynamic businesses.72 AI will ultimately allow
organizations to make more sense of the data they have about their customers, markets, and
operations and to anticipate how best to adapt and respond to changing needs.

AI AND DATA PROVIDE UNLIMITED OPPORTUNITY FOR GROWTH. THE

ORGANIZATIONS THAT ACT QUICKLY WILL THRIVE.

In a world where tech disruptions are continually raising the stakes, organizations that act quickly
and reinvent themselves digitally will thrive. Data and AI provide unlimited opportunity for
sustainable business growth and the resources for major competitive advantage. From scheduling
conferences and team meetings to supporting decision-makers, AI can help to assist with business
management activities. Avanade’s cloud-based solution is utilized by businesses of all sizes to help
operations run smoothly.

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8 IN BUSINESS
AVANADE73
Initiative: Accelerating Business Transformation and Innovation
Headquarters: Seattle,Washington USA

Avanade is a joint venture between Microsoft and Accenture. It leverages the

Cortana Intelligence Suite along with other solutions for predictive analysis and
data-based insights for business. Avanade uses AI and data analytics to help advise
companies on the development of new products by understanding behavior and
trends, which assists businesses smoothly transition to AI platforms (SDGs 4,9).
From process automation to business analytics to predictive data visualizations,
the company brings unprecedented insights to its clients and maximizes the value
of data and business impact. Elisabeth Brinton, Corporate VP for Sustainability at
Microsoft, states: “Avanade’s new services for the Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability
will help organizations use technology to run the execution of their sustainability
commitments and reduce emissions faster.”74

Avanade believes that data analytics and AI are great equalizers, where “smaller
organizations can create a big presence, and big companies can create intimate
connections” (SDGs 10,11). After conducting a study, Avanade found that 97%
of organizations are already evaluating the work AI could do – or augment what
humans can do.The opportunity for AI and data at a large scale to grow business
profits is truly limitless and provides a major competitive advantage (SDGs 8,12).
Avanade helps businesses realize this potential and incorporate this tech success-
fully into core business practices.

63
 AI and data analytics offer businesses an automated, closed loop and multi-style integration
strategy. Powered by AI data inputs, this closed-loop strategy employs real-world operational
data that feed the AI to make smoother integrations and transitions. Embedding these evolving AI
integrations into core operations, businesses can swiftly pivot their sustainability initiatives and
financial investments to respond to their company-specific datasets.75 Closing the loop through
AI functions will help identify internal inefficiencies more quickly. As a result, effective and efficient
production and consumption can be researched, designed and managed at a scale and complexity
that goes beyond existing approaches.

SMALLER ORGANIZATIONS CAN CREATE A BIG PRESENCE AND BIG

COMPANIES CAN CREATE INTIMATE CONNECTIONS.

With its ability to hone and learn preferences over time, industries are witnessing the emergence
of deep insight into consumer preferences with regards to highly personalized products and
services. In this sense, AI and data help businesses make money while utilizing their great potential
to do good. Businesses can enhance personalized product and service commerce by supplementing
both sales and marketing with advanced and intelligent analytics. Not only does this supply
actionable intelligence for businesses about customer buying patterns and other trends, it also
steers company resources in a profitable and sustainable direction.

BUSINESSES CAN USE AI AND DATA TO MAKE MONEY WHILE UTILIZING THEIR
GREAT POTENTIAL TO DO GOOD. PREDICTING SUPPLY CHAIN MOVEMENTS IS
WITHIN OUR REACH TOO.

Machine learning algorithms aid retail and other businesses in managing their inventory more
efficiently. Major AI players like IBM Watson are heavily investing in supply chain management
to help automate the transformation of natural resources, raw materials and components. By
optimizing production through turning over inventory management and supply chain decisions to
AI-based apps, companies can free up workforce talent to engage in other tasks.TransVoyant is
combining machine learning and the Internet of Things to create applications that predict supply
chain movements.

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9 IN BUSINESS
TRANSVOYANT76
Initiative: Comprehensive Data Fusion, Business Analytics, and Insights
Headquarters: Alexandria,Virginia USA

From terrestrial, near-space and space-based sensors,TransVoyant collects, organ-

izes and fuses over one trillion global behavior events each day, which is the largest
repository of real-time big data in the world. Proprietary algorithms and unique
learned behavior models give the company vast expertise on how to continually
understand the end-to-end global flow of commerce (SDGs 9,12).These behavior
models enable TransVoyant to help clients and businesses to predict lead times,
variability, disruptions, and opportunities as well as initiate prescriptive actions that
increase revenues, reduce costs and improve customer service.

TransVoyant provides the capability to rapidly solve, innovate, and provide fully
measurable outcomes for a business’s bottom line. It also helps companies trou-
bleshoot challenges through AI by offering solutions such as continuously fused,
organized and normalized live-streamed data across the entire enterprise; machine
learning and AI-enabled advanced analytics that allow businesses to understand the
past, present, and future of their business ecosystem; and a platform with modern
architecture, easily configurable to specifications, and extensible to unique business
needs.

TransVoyant CEO and Co-Founder, Dennis Groseclose, discusses the company’s

benefits to sustainable business: “Today our business helps Fortune1000 brands like
the HPs and IBMs to know exactly where their products are along the supply chain
in real time.TransVoyant is really focused on present and future behaviors of busi-
nesses, and how we can produce useful information enabled by AI and big data.”77
TransVoyant’s primary purpose is to provide solutions that can transform complex
global supply chains into a competitive advantage for businesses (SDGs 8,9,10).The
company has a number of customers that are embracing the fast-changing digital
world to enhance their client services, reduce and avoid high costs, and are looking
for opportunities for improvement.

65
 GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
History proves that technological progress drives long term economic growth and business
success. Current trends point to AI and data being a driving factor in increasing overall productivity,
resulting in a surge in income and consumption patterns. In this regard, technological progress
promises the rise of a sustainable economy and the future of business is filled with immense
possibilities. Global businesses are intrinsically reliant on performance metrics, as success in
the marketplace is dependent on how data is organized and analyzed. As a basis for business
applications, AI is evolving into a necessary component to core business practices, allowing for vast
amounts of data processing at record speed.

AI INCREASES PRODUCTIVITY. THE TECH PROMISES A SUSTAINABLE

ECONOMY AND SO MUCH MORE.

Not only does the tech give management teams freedom to make more rapid decisions that
potentially position them to be competitive in real-time, but it also enables companies to use
machine algorithms to identify important trends and insights. Companies are growing in several
existing and new SDG markets such as health and wellbeing, security and safety and education and
training. All of this is thanks to AI and data.

The main SDG domains AI and data address in terms of business opportunities include healthcare
and hunger, education and skills training, security and safety, and resources and ecology.These
broad areas may increase AI and data’s potential for good in terms of both business opportunities
and the planet.

NOURISHING FOOD AND SUPPORTING HEALTH

Several areas within the healthcare sector experience unprecedented benefits that AI advancement
and data science offer. One of the ways in which AI is significantly enhancing healthcare is through
aiding in diagnosis and detecting illness and disease before medical professionals are involved.The
tech ultimately saves time, lives and efficiency of processes within its application in healthcare
systems.

AI and data are being used as vital components in medical advancements of drugs and
pharmaceuticals.The unreliability, cost and time-consumption of traditional methods of drug
discovery have led biopharmaceutical companies to collaborate with AI-based tech firms to
improve processes from the development phase to the dissemination point.The cost to develop a
new drug has risen to nearly $3 billion and can take an average of 12 years for each new product.78
Over the last decade though, AI has enabled more affordable drug development and more
intelligent use of data to smoothly run the timelines that are associated with bringing a new drug
to market.

AI HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE OVER $70 BILLION IN SAVINGS FOR THE
DRUG DISCOVERY PROCESS BY 2028.79

Beyond the use of AI to develop innovative drug therapies and customized medicine, data
management has emerged that is spurring robotics innovations to support surgeries now too. Also
relevant, AI-enabled wearable devices are detecting potential rudimentary signs of diabetes through
heart rate sensor data with 85% accuracy.

66
The scope of this tech goes beyond helping more than 400 million people afflicted by the disease
worldwide if made sufficiently affordable.80

AI TECHNOLOGY HAS BEEN IMPLEMENTED TO HELP YIELD HEALTHIER

CROPS, REDUCE WORKLOADS, ORGANIZE DATA, AND IMPROVE A WIDE
RANGE OF TASKS IN THIS $5 TRILLION INDUSTRY.81

The innovative Danish startup Corti proves another interesting way that AI technology is
supporting global health.82 This novel approach listens in on emergency calls and analyzes
conversations in real time. Utilizing machine learning, Corti helps medical dispatchers diagnose
illnesses and provides prompts for effective action.The company’s highly effective technology
eliminates human error and saves over 20% more lives as human dispatchers manage to recognize
about 73% of cardiac arrest calls while the Corti AI correctly analyzes nearly 95% of the calls.83

AI HAS BEEN EMPLOYED TO BOOST AGRICULTURAL YIELDS AND MINIMIZE

WORLD HUNGER.

AI helps combat global hunger too and Microsoft is a major influencer in this important endeavor.
The tech giant has partnered with various innovative scientists, conservationists, farmers and
other groups as part of its $50 million AI for Earth program to explore the implications of AI
technologies on agricultural efforts. For example, the nonprofit International Crop Research
Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) is working with Microsoft to enable farmers to increase
yields using AI.The sowing seed application they developed together draws on climate data
and weather information while using sophisticated forecasting models powered by Azure AI to
determine the optimal time to plant, the ideal sowing depth, and how much manure to apply to the
soil.The information is shared with rural farmers through text messaging technologies on a basic
feature phone.84

67
10 IN BUSINESS
AZURE FARMBEATS85
Initiative: Microsoft AI, Edge and IoT for Agriculture
Headquarters: Redmond,Washington USA

Azure FarmBeats is a Microsoft product for agri-businesses that uses low-cost sen-
sors, drones, satellites and image-based machine learning algorithms to increase the
productivity and profitability of farmers.86 Cloud-based AI models provide a pre-
cise, instant picture of the conditions on the farm, down to the square meter that
enables farmers to make targeted decisions about crop management (SDGs 2,3,12).
Since this tech does not require internet connectivity or complicated systems to
use, it is saving labor, reducing costs, and improving output by developing strong
seed varieties and automating laborious tasks (SDGs 8,9). It also detects crop
disease or issues for earlier interventions, applies herbicide precisely and generally
maximizes crop production so that there are more profits and fewer losses.87

FarmBeats system has been deployed worldwide, including in locations like the
United States, India, Africa and China. Most data driven agriculture solutions that
are available today are too expensive for the average farmer. Sensors can cost $350
or more and with over 500 million small-holder farmers across the world, this is
more often than not unattainable.88 Thus, it is crucial that the overall cost of the
IoT deployment is affordable for all farmers without compromising quality of data
(SDGs 10,11). Ranveer Chandra, Principle Researcher at Microsoft explains: “We
want to enable data-driven farming.The first goal is to give a real-time view of the
farm, a real-time pulse of the farm to the farmer. Connectivity is cheap through our
product, so farmers can now have many more sensors. Once farmers have all this
data, they can analyze the data and predict what the future will look like.”89

Solar panels power the entire system and then farmers place a few sensors – one
every couple hundred meters or so – in the ground (SDG 7). A smartphone with
the camera is then attached facing down to either a drone or a lower-cost helium
balloon. Farmers have reported vast savings using this tech – 30% less water for
irrigation and 44% less lime to control soil pH.90 The data gathered on soil temper-
ature and moisture levels help farmers maximize their planting time for more pro-
ductive time management and harvest. Further, FarmBeats enables a better plan for
a farm’s planting structure via its aerial imaging capabilities that precisely document
flooding patterns (SDG 15).

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UPSCALING SECURITY AND SAFETY
Companies and cities worldwide are implementing AI to reduce and prevent crime, and respond
more quickly to crimes in progress.This was considered technologically impossible a few decades
ago, but recent developments in machine learning have revolutionized security and justice.The
United States spends over $80 billion a year on incarcerations at the state, local, and federal levels
with an astounding total of more than $100 billion per year on law enforcement.91 Although this
issue is a deeper societal problem, businesses can leverage AI and data technologies to address
SDG concepts of national and global security.

WITH AI-ENABLED CAMERAS, SAFE CITIES CAN BE THE NORM.

Companies are using AI-enabled cameras to watch for crime. Hikvision, a Chinese security camera
producer, uses chips from Movidius (an Intel company) to create cameras able to run deep neural
networks.92 This new camera has advanced capabilities to better scan for license plates on cars,
run facial reconition to search databases for potential criminals, and automatically detect suspicious
anomalies like unattended bags in crowded venues. Achieving 99% accuracy with their advanced
visual analytics applications, Hikvision has grown significantly with a 2021 revenue of $11 billion
and year-over-year growth of 39.68%.93 Not only does this AI tech company keep cities safer, but it
also has the potential for huge market growth.

THE POTENTIAL OF AI AS A SOCIAL EQUALIZER COULD TRANSFORM LIVES.

AI is also used to redesign city borders as a social equalizer.There is ample opportunity for the
tech to tap into the smart building market, which is expected to reach $229 billion by 2026.94
Mass-produced housing for instance considers the design and layout of development to keep
efficiencies high and maintenance costs low as a method to build more secure communities.
Innovative AI and data initiatives are protecting the natural environment too.The Rainforest
Connection built RFCx, a poaching and deforestation detection system that monitors audio
recording devices in rainforests.95 As economic losses of GDP $2 to $5 trillion per year are
attributed to downgrading rainforest to pasture and less productive land use, these alert systems
designed to catch poachers have a huge economic impact and business opportunity.

ADVANCING EDUCATION AND TRAINING

AI and data are poised to have a big impact on education all over the world. More than 1.5
billion students around the globe will benefit from adaptive learning technology, which structures
content for students based on individual abilities.96 A key challenge for education services is the
lack of reliable and up-to-date metrics for statistical analysis to make curriculum improvements.
As educators need to customize learning for each student and reach performance benchmarks,
AI supplies valuable tools that can support learning in and out of the classroom.97 For students,
personalized learning platforms are becoming increasingly important.

There are several examples of AI providing customized teaching for each student using AI. Offering
free education to thousands of children in over 1000 learning centers across China, for example,
tech company Squirrel measures learning levels to provide students with optimal learning content
and speed.98 Another business, Quill.org, was founded by a group of educators and technologists
and is helping students become better writers and critical thinkers.This tool is to help students
identify the different parts of a sentence, with a focus on real-time feedback. More than 200,000
students – 62% from low-income schools – have used Quill, and 2.8 million students have written
403 million sentences on the Google platform.99 These learners have collectively answered 20
million exercises, along with personalized services for writing instruction that has helped them
master core writing skills.
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 11
IN BUSINESS
CAPGEMINI100
Initiative: Preserving the Mojave Desert
Headquarters: Paris, France

Capgemini, a multinational IT services and consulting company, has partnered with

The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Nevada to develop an artificial intelligence
solution that could help restore the natural balance of the Mojave Desert.101 This
rich landscape with a vast variety of wildlife spreads across 20 million acres of the
US, spanning California, south-western Utah, southern Nevada, and north-western
Arizona.102 The Mojave’s open, sandy plains are also a popular location for off-road-
ing vehicles, which, when driven illegally, pose a threat to its fragile ecosystem.
Across such a huge expanse, it can be almost impossible to locate off-roading trails.
For millions of years, tortoises, golden eagles, insects, and unique cacti have called
this desert their home. It is therefore important to know where to intervene in
an effort to prevent ecosystem degradation, as the Mojave creates upwards of $45
billion in economic benefits annually (SDG 11).103

Capgemini convened an integrated team of AI specialists, earth scientists, and pro-

ject managers to create a system that will gauge impact of landscape and ecosys-
tem degradation indicators across the Mojave Desert (SDGs 13,17). Using AI and
machine learning that develop aglorithms to trace the paths and erosion rates of
off-road trails remotely,TNC is better equipped to identify off-road trails in specific
areas. Specifically, Capgemini’s tool studies satellite imageries and also monitors the
off-road vehicles and trails to determine the impact on the landscape and wildlife
ecosystems (SDGs 8,12).These data are then compared to other relevant informa-
tion such as the positions of nesting sites, migration routes, and individual commu-
nities of protected species like the Mojave Desert tortoise (SDGs 10,15).

Although Capeskin’s solution has been initially monitoring just a portion of the
Western Mojave, the solution has the possibility of surveying degradation of the
desert at scale (SDG 16). “Gemini brings deep AI and data science expertise, and
our innovative solution can help find and monitor land decorations in the Mojave
Desert,” says Jerry Kurt, Head of Insights and Data at Gemini in North America.104
“We’re very hopeful that we will be able to apply this solution to a wide range of
conservation efforts that help protect at-risk natural environments around the
world.” In the future, the initiative will tailor AI solutions with particular species
in mind.The innovative team tech effort is facilitating coexistence of humanity and
nature in this unique part of the world.

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AI+SDG LAUNCHPAD
The AI+SDG Launchpad is an innovative business proposition that allows any school, college,
university, or research institute to easily create and manage a curriculum that bridges the gap
between data-enabled sciences and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Agenda for
2030.105 The Launchpad serves as a blueprint for single or multi-semester courses that allow
students to engage with global challenges, they are passionate about in a structured way.The
Launchpad programs have reached more than 500 students in five countries, with collaboration on
a range of SDG topics, from carbon sequestration and curtailing media bias to ocean health and
predicting refugee migration.

Top management schools see the immense value of tech in the business world. Highly ranked
business schools are increasingly offering courses and training on how to utilize AI and data to
improve corporate strategy and transform organizations into innovative, efficient, and sustainable
companies of the future. MIT Sloan School of Management for instance offers a course named
Artificial Intelligence: Implications for Business Strategy for students and business executives to
learn how to capitalize on the value automation could bring to business.The course discusses
how companies can gain important core competencies including AI, machine learning, and data
management in their business strategies.106

“I THINK INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT

FACTORS CAUSING CHANGES IN BUSINESS TODAY.”107 - THOMAS MALONE,
FOUNDING DIRECTOR MIT CENTER FOR COLLECTIVE INTELLIGENCE

Cognii is a provider of AI-based educational technologies, working with organizations in the

K-12, higher education, and corporate training markets to help deliver cost-efficient learning
outcomes.108 Its products include the Cognii Learning Platform,Virtual Learning Assistant, and
Assessment Engine.The company offers a suite of products powered by AI for better assessment
and real-time tutoring.The Cognii Virtual Learning Assistant engages students in personalized
tutoring conversations, providing immediate scoring and feedback on written answers to questions.
Netex Learning is another company utilizing AI and data to implement education sector business
opportunities.

71
 12
IN BUSINESS
NETEX LEARNING109
Initiative: Netex Knowledge Factory
Headquarters: A Coruña, Spain

Netex is creating smart digital content platforms, complete with content delivery,
practice exercises and real-time feedback and assessment for a range of education-
al purposes (SDG 4). Educators can use this AI solution to design digital curriculum
and content across devices, integrating diverse media like video and audio, along
with self- or online-instructor components. Netex also provides a personalized
learning cloud platform designed for the modern workplace (SDGs 9,10). Design
possibilities include customizable learning systems with apps; gamification and simu-
lations; virtual courses; self-assessments; video conferencing; and other tools. Learn-
ing platforms for businesses are designed to allow employees to master additional
skills and receive continuous and automated feedback (SDG 8).This tech solution
helps improve performance and increase production (SDG 12).

Valencia International University (VIU) is one of the leading online universities in

the Spanish-speaking world. Netex enhances VIU’s bachelor and master’s degrees
subject catalog for more than 250 subjects in arts and humanities, science and
technology, education, business, legal, and more.110 Results of the program thus far
include over 160 curriculum authors, more than 33,000 pages of courses developed
and hundreds of e-learning units scripted and disseminated.

72
REJUVENATING RESOURCES AND ECOLOGY
Resource scarcity entails energy and water availability deficits which is a growing concern among
businesses and corporations. AI-powered data analytics can assist in resource scarcity management.
The tech is speeding up expansion by way of reducing the chance of human error in energy
sourcing, storage, and dissemination. AI and data management is a critical tool for companies
looking to reduce costs, expand access to renewable power and preserve the natural environment.

AI and data technologies have great possibilities for improving predictability in the renewable
energy sector.They promise to lead industry wide improvements that make renewable sources of
energy viable solutions on a wider scale. Utility companies are leveraging AI and data to manage
diverse factors that are affecting renewable energy generation. Not only is it helping to cut costs,
but it is also enhancing profits and consumer satisfaction. AI can improve solar and wind power
reliability by analyzing enormous amounts of meteorological data and use this information to
make predictions. Utility companies will then be able to better serve customers by utilizing AI to
integrate microgrids and manage distributed energy.

AI TECHNOLOGIES HAVE GREAT POSSIBILITIES FOR IMPROVING

PREDICTABILITY IN THE RENEWABLE ENERGY SECTOR.

Businesses globally can take proactive and cost-effective action by accelerating the adoption
of the most technologically advanced renewable energy systems.When energy generation
technologies are added from local and community levels to larger grids, AI manages energy flow
instability through capabilities such as analyzing grids before and after they absorb smaller units
while working to reduce congestion. EleXsys Energy is employing cutting edge tech solutions that
advance renewable energy deployment all over the world.111

Several energy companies currently use AI to facilitate and intelligently improve their internal
systems. Sentinel Solar by Nnergix, for instance, developed a business model that leverages AI
to pool data from the energy industry to make predictions and develop weather forecasts for
improved accuracy.The innovative company coordinates and controls renewable energy reserves
through load management by analyzing sensor data to make power available as soon as needed.112
It is the first of its kind platform to manage solar self-consumption portfolios that allows efficient
monitoring and management of photovoltaic portfolios.With over 9,000 self-consuming owners,
the Barcelona-based company’s use of AI and data reduces time and personnel costs.113 In 19
countries with over 11,000 sites, the company has generated significant energy savings for its
customers all over the world.

COMPANIES MUST BE PROACTIVE TO ACCELERATE THE ADOPTION OF AI.

AI also serves as a beneficial tool for water management.The tech can help reduce water wastage
through leakages. It is estimated that around 40% of piped water in India is lost to leakage.114
In the US, an average family can waste 180 gallons of water per week, or 9400 gallons of water
annually from household leaks, which is equivalent to the amount of water needed to wash more
than 300 loads of laundry.115 Implementing AI to analyze real-time water loss and automating pipes
to shut off whenever there is a leak can improve the amount of water wastage.

AI can predict leaks, help detect pollutants, and integrate various systems across a city or area
for cost-effective and sustainable water management. In terms of wastewater treatment, the tech
helps implement monitoring algorithms that can monitor water quality and reduce contaminating
pollutants.The process of water management is streamlined with advanced tools like data analytics
and regression models, often exhibited in smart irrigation AI systems to both minimize and
optimize the use of water resources.116

73
 ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD
While the widespread adoption of AI and use of data have profound positive implications for many
businesses of all sizes and societies at large, there are also associated risks, challenges, barriers,
and disadvantages. Creating a machine that simulates human intelligence requires a lot of time
and financial resources. Further, AI needs to operate on the latest hardware and software to stay
updated and meet digital requirements, which further raises the cost. Another major disadvantage
of AI is its difficulty learning to think for itself. It is dependent on its restricted operating system
capabilities, which makes its utility limited. AI is capable of learning over time based on pre-
introduced data and past experiences, but the tech is not yet capable of being creative in its
approach.

THE RAPID GROWTH OF AI HAS GENERATED CONCERNS ABOUT

UNCONTROLLABLE TECHNOLOGY.

As with other technologies mentioned throughout the book, probably one of the biggest
disadvantages of AI is its perceived risk to employment. Slow replacement of repetitive tasks with
bots entails a reduction in the need for human labor. Studies predict that AI will replace at least
30% of human labor by 2030.117 Addiction to AI due to excessive reliance on the tech could also
cause problems for future generations in terms of work ethic and cognitive function. Ethics and
morality then become increasingly important human features that can be difficult to incorporate
into AI developments.The rapid progress of AI has raised concerns about the technology
growing uncontrollably and eventually wiping out humanity.This moment is referred to as the AI
singularity.118

Data availability in the realm of AI can also be a challenge. Big data analytics are very useful
to businesses in many sectors, but the downside is that the average IT personnel without the
necessary knowledge may be at a loss when tasked to glean data to make decisions. Companies
will need specialized information scientists who know how to interpret results from these datasets.
This can pose a financial dilemma as these experts require large salaries that most small-to-
medium-sized businesses cannot afford. If businesses do not have the in-house skills available
or staff who understand this information, then utilizing data for business success is not a cost-
effective endeavor. In fact, when mismanaged it can jeopardize competitive advantage. Companies
that decide to embrace the idea of AI and big data will need to change their entire organizational
structure to maximize the tech’s benefits.

COMPANIES MUST BE ALERT AND READY TO DEFEND THE SECURITY RISKS

AI COULD POSE.

AI and data management also provide a number of security risks. Most of the information that
companies collect using AI capabilities includes sensitive data that require a specific level of
protection. Having access to these analytics, organizations become an attractive target for potential
cyberattacks. A data breach is often the single greatest threat that a company faces when trying to
implement this tech throughout the corporate or organizational structure. Since AI technologies
are unique in that they acquire knowledge and intelligence to adapt accordingly, criminals leverage
these capabilities to model adaptable attacks and create intelligent malware programs. As hackers
become more advanced, data attacks are harder to detect.The same capabilities that enable AI and
data to be used for good are employed for its downsides and security risks.

74
 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
AI and data technologies are poised to alter the foundational structure of business globally.
Although there are challenges and barriers to overcome, as well as security risks to consider,
AI and data have an unprecedented opportunity to be implemented as a force for good. Self-
maintained indoor farming with enhanced operational data analytics or AI-enabled monitoring for
increased crop yields are just the beginning.

These tech solutions lead to an altogether new lifestyle and outlook concerning the availability of
nutrients. Beyond an effective solution for addressing global hunger, business opportunities include
other sustainable initiatives such as self-driving vehicles that reduce pollution and limit traffic
deaths. Across markets, AI and data present a pathway towards new and intelligent automated
supply chains.

AI and data provide advances and economic opportunities in a wide range of markets. From
medical research, resource management, and energy technologies to automation in monitoring
and satellite imagery analysis of the environment, AI and data have profound effects on all facets of
global business. Imagine all the ways these technologies will offer promising solutions that serve as
integral components of the 4IR, supercharging the economy and supporting sustainable business.

We have imagined AI and Data as Tech for Good.

75
 3D PRINTING 3

3D PRINTING CAN PROPEL INNOVATION TO

PROTECT OUR PLANET IN INFINITE WAYS.
EVEN SAVING WILDLIFE FROM EXTINCTION IS
WITHIN REACH.

77
 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine not only saving our coral reefs but fortifying them like never before. It’s a beautiful thought,
isn’t it? Where our oceans aren’t simply surviving, but thriving.The bright architectural beauty of
our oceans’ coral reefs is fading.These aesthetically appealing natural organisms are dying, but we
have the power to save them. Reefs contain staggering biodiversity that illuminates our seas with
life and color.

Photosynthesis is integral to this vibrant underwater habitat, as the sun provides food for marine
life and is vital for the survival of these aquatic creatures. However, photosynthesis only occurs
near the ocean’s surface.This is where coral reefs come in.These large, amorphous protrusions,
making up underwater colonies of brilliant colors, provide sanctuary and food to small marine
animals, who spend the majority of their life cycles in the coral reef. Coral reefs, thus, are an
essential source of sustenance.They provide key nutrients and proteins for not just sea life, but
for one billion people, too.1 In addition to protecting our coastlines and serving as an attraction
to visiting ecotourists, scientists speculate that coral reefs may extend broad benefits to industries
like manufacturing and pharmaceuticals.2

Yet this fruitful beauty of our earth is under threat. Aspects of climate change such as the warming
of waters, pollution, ocean acidification, overfishing, and physical destruction are killing coral reefs
worldwide. Recent studies reveal that 50% of the globe’s coral reefs have already been destroyed,
and another 40% could be lost over the next 30 years.3 The death of the coral reefs spells an end
for most of our oceans’ ecosystems, which is bound to have direct, negative effects on humankind.
Advancements in 3D printing can help put a stop to, and in some cases even reverse, the damage
inflicted on coral reefs.While maintaining the sentiment that technology does not replace
nature, but rather affects positive change within it, we can use 3D printing to help repair and

78
retain elements of our environment. 3D printing companies XtreeE and Seaboost present a
novel example.4 These organizations specializing in the ecological design of marine structures
collaborated to create the X-Reef, which mimics the ecosystem of the Mediterranean. Consider
that a coral reef organically grows over the course of several hundred years. Now, as exemplified
by X-Reef, that process can be accelerated to a handful of hours, mere “printing time.” 3D printing
can also be used to prevent loss and protect existing, vulnerable reefs. SECORE International
is an exemplary initiative seeking to reduce the costs of coral restoration by using 3D-printed
settlement substrates.5 The organization refers to them as “seeding units” because they self-attach
to reefs and provide an attractive habitat for coral larvae.This setup increases the survival rate of
wild coral.

These man-made corals are designed in special ways to allow the surrounding fauna to make
homes in the structures, just as though they were native. As experiments have successfully
demonstrated, the coral itself grows thanks to transplantation. Either by directly transplanting living
coral or replicating coral cells into the material, scientists prime the 3D structures to host plant
life on their surfaces. In this regard, the underwater wonders that are coral reefs grow further with
the aid of 3D printing.

Imagine, 3D printing transforming regeneration opportunities for reef-building corals of the

underwater ecosystem.This technology turns the tide for one of the most beautiful and important
wonders of sea life by providing a base for the coral to grow and flourish.This practice does not
fix the underlying problem that human activity is destroying coral reefs. It does, however, buy coral
reefs and our oceans some valuable time and hope for restoration.

Imagine making up for lost time.This is 3D Printing for Good.

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3 EXPLORING
3D PRINTING
This chapter explores the advancements in 3D printing technology, weaving its historical
development with its current potential in sustainable business.The tech, also referred to as
additive manufacturing, can be used to produce many different types of products. Discussing these
innovations, the pages ahead illuminate how 3D printing is used for good.

The ways in which this exciting technology positively impacts sustainable economic growth across
business sectors are highly relevant.With this in mind, the 3D printing tech market promises
inspiring opportunities.This potential is illustrated throughout the chapter, illuminating how
businesses employ 3D-based strategies to inspire innovative solutions. In this regard, the Global
Goals present an opportunity for additive manufacturing to play a major role in creating shared
value solutions.With large-scale adoption, along with forward-moving research and development,
the 3D printing market is expanding rapidly.

Several cases are presented throughout this chapter, including AI and data applications of 3D
printing. Complementing these initiatives by taking advantage of Global Goals growth markets, the
performance of businesses can be enhanced in many sectors.Various developments are discussed
in the areas of health and wellbeing, cities and infrastructure, and food supply chains. Potential
adaptation and mitigation strategies for the challenges and risks that come with 3D printing are
addressed near the end of this chapter.This following pages reveal the multidimensional stories of
several organizations that implement 3D printing as a Tech for Good.

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THE TECH
At its simplest, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the production of a three-
dimensional solid object rendered from a digital file. 3D printing is a great example of a 4IR
technological solution, as it blends the digital and the physical worlds. As opposed to traditional
manufacturing technologies, additive manufacturing builds 3D objects layer by layer, using
computer-aided design (CAD) and a wide range of materials such as metal, plastic, concrete, or
paper.While the terms “additive manufacturing” and “3D printing” are often used interchangeably,
additive manufacturing is a broader term including several technologies. 3D printing is one of such
technologies and generally refers to non-industrial applications.

ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING IS ONE OF THE MOST DISRUPTIVE

TECHNOLOGIES OF OUR TIME.

On a more technical level, 3D printing enables decentralized, low-threshold production and

manufacturing, and unlocks a wide range of positive impacts and business opportunities globally.
Not only is 3D printing becoming faster and producing much larger objects, but scientists are also
coming up with innovative ways to print by developing stronger source materials such as harder
metals. Soon, 3D printers will likely make their way into homes, businesses, disaster sites, and even
outer space. Additive manufacturing is already used for the construction of large structures and
objects including bridges, houses, and aircraft propellers.The possibility of completely 3D-printed
cityscapes may not be far off.

The variety of sizes of 3D-printed items is vast.The smallest 3D XS printed objects are the nano
sculptures created by artist Jonty Hurwitz. His notable sculpture “Trust” has a size of 80 x 100 x
20 microns and, as of October 2014, was “the smallest creation of the human form in history.”6 The
largest 3D XL printed forms comprise a range of objects, such as boats. One called the 3Dirigo
was printed by the University of Maine Advanced Structures and Composites Center. It measured
7.62 meters long and weighed 2.2 tons.7

3D PRINTING IS ENVIRONMENTALLY EFFICIENT, PRODUCES ZERO WASTE,

AND COSTS LESS THAN TRADITIONAL MANUFACTURING. IT IS EXPECTED
THAT BY 2025, THE GLOBAL 3D PRINTING AND SERVICES MARKET WILL
REACH $50 BILLION.8

Although the equipment required for 3D printing can be expensive, prices are dropping
as scientists and engineers invent more efficient printers and the tech’s penetration of the
manufacturing market grows. Since business models are also evolving, we can expect to see a rapid
expansion of the technology’s applications in both industrial and consumer uses. For instance, the
on-demand manufacturing business model emphasizes speed in delivery and the ability to produce
parts at the point of need. 3D printing makes on-demand manufacturing possible, as no tooling
is required and lead times for small batches can be significantly shortened. Using 3D printing to
manufacture end-use parts in-house reduces supply chain complexities. In reducing production
complications, manufacturers’ exposure risk in supply chain disruptions may decrease.

The tech also enhances mass customization by allowing companies to explore this business
model through providing viable solutions to manufacturing customized products. Unlike other
conventional techniques, which require substantial investment in tooling for customized parts,
3D printing only requires uploading digital designs of a product or its parts. Companies, such as
FitMyFoot, already leverage the mass customization provided by additive manufacturing. FitMyFoot
uses additive manufacturing to produce sandals with custom-fit 3D-printed insoles.9 The
technology, which digitally maps each foot with over 200 points, creates a 3D-printable file of an
insole that is unique to every consumer.

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 Other initiatives advancing the tech include simulations for how 3D printing processes would play
out in outer space for constructing components and predicting part quality. 3D printing is critical
to NASA’s plans for deep space exploration, notably its mission to Mars.This trajectory is backed
by several additive manufacturing-related initiatives through NASA in recent years.10 Advanced
modeling software developed by Cornell University has been successfully deployed and tested on
the International Space Station (ISS). As part of a collaborative experiment conducted with NASA,
the ISS US National Laboratory, and HP, Cornell’s modeling software was integrated into HP’s
Spaceborne Computer-2. In addition, NASA partners with space tech companies Launcher11 and
VELO3D12 to explore the manufacturing of 3D-printed rocket engines. 3D printing is also integral
to designing and testing elements for an AI-powered lunar rover that may be deployed during
NASA’s return mission to the moon and in the production of a habitat that accurately resembles
the conditions that future astronauts will experience on Mars.

As highlighted, the capabilities of 3D printing and additive manufacturing have not yet seen their full
potential.The tech is currently primarily used in manufacturing and medical industries. Additionally,
sociocultural sectors apply 3D printing for commercial purposes.The tech boasts a plethora of
applications that have yet to be realized. Predominant research institutions are also supporting
and promoting the broad range of additive manufacturing research, educational, and professional
training activities.With several affiliated faculty from departments such as engineering and
medicine, the Additive Manufacturing Institute of Science and Technology (AMIST) at the University
of Louisville (UofL) is an example of a leading research university working on 3D printing Tech for
Good applications.13 UofL’s AMIST combines the expertise of its professional staff with strategic
partnerships in additive technologies to focus on integrating 3D printing to devise new solutions to
real-life problems in healthcare, energy, the environment, communications, and security.

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
A lot can be expected for the future of 3D printing, but first, let’s review the history and the
current landscape of this tech solution. Additive manufacturing was first conceptualized in the
1980s and applied as “rapid prototyping.” At present, its uses are diverse.The technology is now
available through off-the-shelf printers and is increasingly integrated with conventional production
technologies for industrial applications.The tech has been growing and evolving over the years. It is
becoming more efficient and accessible globally. As early as 1989, the aerospace and defense sector
was one of the first adopters of 3D printing.The scope and implementation of the technology has
since grown substantially.14

3D PRINTING AS A FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION TECHNOLOGY CAN

ALTER HOW COMPANIES CONCEIVE, DESIGN, PRODUCE, DISTRIBUTE, AND
REPAIR.

In the 1990s, many companies and startups began experimenting with the different additive
manufacturing technologies.The early 2000s were marked with high-tech devices being difficult
for the public to access, while it was predominantly big global companies and major research
universities that had use of 3D printers.These first prototypes were extremely large and expensive,
as was the case with the first commercial computers.With innovations progressing steadily, as well
as discoveries, methods, and practices refined and invented consistently, we now have computers
with processing speeds a thousand times faster than the early models. Instead of the big machines
of the past, the present enables devices that fit in our palms. In 2005, open-source software altered
the 3D printing landscape, giving people increased access to this technology.The patents expired
on the first wave of 3D printing and researchers developed a 3D printer that could print itself and

82
release the designs with open-source licenses on the web.The RepRap Project, which was created
as an open-source initiative, devised a 3D printer that could build another 3D printer along with
a number of 3D printed objects.15 Quickly hacked and improved upon by engineers around the
world, the enhanced designs spread rapidly. Because of these innovative updates and subsequent
market integration, the tech has become more accessible. Although 3D printers used to be
expensive, affordable off-the-shelf printers now exist in the mainstream market.Today, people can
buy a 3D printer for as little as $250 to $550.16 In addition to the lowered cost, progress can also
be seen from a product development standpoint. Advancements in additive manufacturing give rise
to consumer options and allow for diversity in design. Simultaneously, more sophisticated printers
are appearing, enabling more diverse manufacturing possibilities across sustainable business sectors.
Given the shifting trend in 3D printing applications from prototyping to functional manufacturing,
a rapid expansion of the technology’s application throughout manufacturing will make its way into
business and consumer markets.

AFFORDABLE OFF-THE-SHELF PRINTERS NOW EXIST IN THE MAINSTREAM

MARKET.

The input materials for additive manufacturing have evolved over time as well. Currently, a variety
of plastics and filaments are widely available. Materials such as carbon fiber and glass fiber, as well
as edible materials like chocolate or pasta, can also be 3D printed.17 In 2019, robotic construction
company Apis Cor used its technology to build the world’s largest 3D-printed building, a two-
storey office in Dubai.18 The tech is now consistently used in developing products for many
industries and sectors that have adopted the technology into their everyday workflow.

3D PRINTING MARKET SIZE

Over the past few years, the world experienced unparalleled growth in the 3D printing market.
The global 3D printing market grew by 21% in 2020 as compared to 2019 to an estimated value of
$12.6 billion.19 Transition from traditional manufacturing technologies was likely accelerated due
to the COVID-19 lockdown. Businesses saw an accelerated adoption of additive manufacturing
throughout 2020, with 65% of engineering businesses increasing their usage of 3D printing
compared to 2019.20 The 3D printing market is predicted to more than double in size over the
next few years, ultimately reaching an estimated value of $37.2 billion in 2026.21 A number of
reasons explain this rapid growth, including: costs of the printing machines lowering significantly;
machines becoming more efficient; more printing materials becoming available; and the rise in
product variety.22

The venture capital market raised huge funds of over $1.1 billion for 3D printing startups in
2019 alone.23 Since the start of the COVID-19 outbreak, the additive manufacturing market has
continued to grow with many 3D printing equipment manufacturing companies at the forefront of
the solution. Rapidly producing personal protective equipment, nasopharyngeal testing swabs, and
even emergency-use medical devices.This agile manufacturing technology offers benefits that allow
for a quick pivot of production lines.

“FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, YOU’LL SEE A LOT OF CONTRACT

MANUFACTURERS THAT HAVE SCALED UP CONSIDERABLY AND HAVE
HUNDREDS OF THESE SYSTEMS.”24 - ZACHARY MURPHREE, VP OF TECHNOLOGY
PARTNERSHIPS AT VELO3D

83
 Aside from pandemic-driven applications, the additive manufacturing market grew even further
in 2020 and has been coming into play through 2023 as a solution to disrupted supply chains.
Decentralizing production reduces the strain of global logistics, as additive manufacturing allows
for manufacturing to take place on any site with the appropriate 3D printer and post-processing
setup.25 All these aspects have driven significant growth in the additive manufacturing industry.
Although the technology has not yet achieved widespread mainstream use, we are witnessing a
gradual upscaling of 3D printing consistent with the common pattern that arises with each new
technological innovation.26

Additive manufacturing is expanding in many sectors and the market is responding.The industry
grew by 7.5% to nearly $12.8 billion in 2020.27 In 2020, while access to traditional manufacturing
technologies was limited, 65% of engineering businesses used additive manufacturing more.28 It is
predicted that the tech will no longer be considered only as a rapid prototyping mechanism with
54% of engineering businesses increasing their usage of 3D printing for functional end-use parts in
2020.29 At 73% of engineering businesses estimating they will produce or source more 3D printed
parts, the annual growth of 3D printing is scheduled to be 21% between 2021 and 2030.30 The 3D
printing medical devices market is a major growth area and is projected to reach $5.1 billion by
2026 from $2.4 billion in 2021 at a CAGR of 16.3% during the forecast period.31

THE
THE THE GLOBAL
FORECASTED
FORECASTED ADDITIVE
3D PRINTING
3D PRINTING MANUFACTURING
MEDICAL
MARKET SIZE MARKET SIZE
DEVICES
WORLDWIDE WAS $15.2
MARKET SIZE
WAS $37.2 BILLION IN 2021
WORLDWIDE
BILLION IN 2021, WITH A CAGR
WILL BE $5.1
DOUBLE WHAT IT OF 21.75% FROM
BILLION IN 2026,
WAS IN 2016.32 2022 TO 2028.33
COMPARED TO
$2.4 BILLION IN
2021.34

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PURSUING MANUFACTURING BREAKTHROUGHS
This innovative technology is already transforming business models across global manufacturing.
As mentioned, we have only seen the beginning of the tech’s influence. Ultimately, the full digital
and physical blend of the 4IR could alter how companies conceive, design, produce, distribute, and
repair products.Traditional manufacturing and 3D printing differences are a matter of choosing
between subtractive or additive production methods. Additive technologies create from the
bottom up rather than subtracting material that is then discarded.These technologies reduce
materials cost by 90% and cut energy use in half. 35 More and more major manufacturers are
turning to 3D printing, and suppliers are noticing these changes as well.

Additive manufacturing technologies reduce material costs by 90% and cut energy use in half.36
Entrepreneurs and companies can profit from this trend as they innovate and improve
manufacturing.They do this by either growing 3D businesses or implementing 3D printing in
production and throughout supply chains. Signifying an exciting shift in global supply chains, 3D
printing is set to replace traditional manufacturing methods in many areas. It is already seeing
unprecedented adoption rates as well as aftermarket supply chain growth. 3D printing possibly has
the highest impact out of all tech advancements in new product development applications across
multiple industries.

“3D PRINTING IS GOING TO CONNECT US WITH OUR HERITAGE, AND

IT’S GOING TO USHER IN A NEW ERA OF LOCALIZED, DISTRIBUTED
MANUFACTURING THAT IS ACTUALLY BASED ON DIGITAL FABRICATION.”37
AVI REICHENTAL, CEO OF 3D SYSTEMS

The COVID pandemic and its reverberating economic impact highlighted vulnerabilities in global
supply chains across every major industry. Governments, institutions, and businesses around the
world have been working to increase resilience in supply chains. Recent developments in this
regard include the Biden Administration’s joining of several large American companies to launch
Additive Manufacturing Forward.38 This voluntary, public-private compact was signed in May of
2022 and is comprised of founding companies GE Aviation, Siemens Energy, Lockheed Martin,
Honeywell, and Raytheon Technologies.39 It seeks to broaden 3D printing usage among US-based
small and medium sized suppliers.

We have discussed the potential for 3D printing to aid in rebuilding coral reefs.The transition
to this tech-based production model in sectors like healthcare and medical, buildings and
infrastructure, and food and agriculture offers a wide range of beneficial impacts and business
opportunities. Additive manufacturing solutions unlock vast possibilities in mobility systems in
an array of industries such as automotive, aerospace, railway, and maritime. Siemens Mobility,
for instance, is seizing these opportunities. Capitalizing on this business solution illustrates how
Siemens’ ability to 3D print tools and parts transformed their supply chain.

Many industries have taken advantage of 3D printing for manufacturing benefits.The tech is
used alongside, or in place of, Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) machining to produce
precise iterations of complex, custom manufactured parts. 3D printing and CNC machining will
be deployed throughout manufacturing chains, cutting the cost for making mid-to-large units of
products, or one-off prototypes.40 The additive manufacturing process can also cut down on waste,
making for a more sustainable manufacturing process for any industry and reducing the carbon
footprint for one of the most wasteful aspects of any industry.

85
14 IN BUSINESS
SIEMENS41
Initiative: Siemens Mobility with Stratasys 3D Printer
Headquarters: Munich, Germany

Meeting increased customer demand for customized parts, Siemens Mobility divi-
sion required an alternative manufacturing solution to overcome the time and cost
barriers associated with traditional low volume production (SDGs 9,12).This was
exemplified during a recent project for the German transport services provider, the
SWU Verkehr GmbH.With the integration of a Stratasys Fortus 900mc 3D print-
er into its production process, Siemens was able to address these challenges by
3D printing on-demand, customized parts rapidly and cost-effectively, on-demand.
(SDG 17).42 The collaboration reduced inventory costs for both the company and
customers. As a result, the Mobility division is now able to respond more quickly to
low volume customer demands while boosting its manufacturing flexibility.This has
helped increase client satisfaction.

The company started printing spare parts and tools and opened a digital rail
maintenance center in 2018 where hundreds of trains enter every month.The
high volume puts pressure on the supply chain and requires robust manufacturing
solutions to fulfill the wide-ranging needs of customers quickly and cost-effectively.
By 3D printing on demand, Siemens is able to cut down manufacturing time up to
95%, lowering a typical six-week production cycle to only 13 hours, and reducing
costs significantly at the same time (SDG 8).43 The rail service center also leverages
additive manufacturing to increase its tooling capabilities and overcome the lengthy
lead times of traditional production methods. Michael Kuczmik, Head of Additive
Manufacturing for Siemens Mobility GmbH Customer Service claims: “The ability
to 3D print customized tools and spare parts whenever we need them, with no
minimum quantity, has transformed our supply chain.”44

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3D PRINTING FOR GOOD
3D printing has a transformative impact on people and the planet.This will prove increasingly
relevant both socially and economically. As one of the major emerging fields and technologies,
businesses can employ this additive manufacturing tech as a force for good in a profitable way.
Additive and 3D printing capabilities allow us to visualize a reinvented future of manufacturing,
where unlocking new possibilities to create shared value is becoming more prevalent all around
the world.This includes remote and hard-to-access regions.

With great prospects for the positive impact 3D printing can have on the environment, there are
several benefits for good, including how the tech reduces manufacturing waste, lowers carbon
footprints, and supports the circular economy. A defining feature of additive manufacturing (layer-
by-layer) processes is reduction of manufacturing waste. By optimizing raw materials, 3D printing
uses only the amount needed to build a product. Less manufacturing waste means that businesses
save considerable amounts of resources.The tech also has the unique potential to democratize the
production of goods, from food to medical supplies, to great coral reefs.

IN THE FUTURE, 3D PRINTING MACHINES COULD MAKE THEIR WAY INTO

HOMES, BUSINESSES, DISASTER SITES, AND EVEN OUTER SPACE.

Because it does not rely on complex manufacturing and assembly supply chains, 3D printing
facilitates localized production and reduces the need to transport goods manufactured in off-
site locations. Empowering the circular economy, the production of printing filaments made from
recycled materials as additive manufacturing inputs is becoming increasingly popular.This process
adds value in terms of environmental benefits.The tech allows consumers to repair broken
products by self-manufacturing spare parts on home printers or at local 3D printing centers.These
services lengthen the life of original products, either by transforming them into a new raw material
or by repairing and reusing them.

In addition to business growth in 3D printing tech applications, the support of governments and
foundations is imperative. As the technology spreads, it continues to connect marginalized and
difficult-to-reach populations with essential products.That said, this emerging technology has the
potential to transform societies and the development sector. 3D printing carries huge promise for
the future and, with the potential to make a further impact, is being deployed to progress many of
the Global Goals.

3D PRINTING PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS

3D printing will undoubtedly accelerate achieving the SDGs in many ways, across a variety of
sectors. Starting off with SDG 1 - No Poverty, 3D printing aids by significantly reducing the cost
of buying products and components. It also enables cheaper and easier repairs through localized,
inexpensive production of spare parts. Local production in poor areas of the world has several
benefits. Not only does it give people access to print things they need, but implementing additive
manufacturing capabilities on a small scale also makes it easier for those populations to upcycle
waste. New Story, a Silicon Valley-based nonprofit that builds safe housing for those living in
extreme poverty, worked with Icon, a construction tech company, to create a 3D printer that can
build a house in a day for under $4,000.45 The next page demonstrates that 3D printing has a
significant impact on at least 9 of the 17 global goals.

87
 ZERO HUNGER
This technology has great meaning, primarily in reducing food waste. Research
suggests that humans waste approximately $1 trillion worth of food across the world
annually.46 Additive manufacturing and 3D printing meals play a part in reducing heaps
of wasted food production through lowering costs and increasing availability.
One example of a company printing food is Novameat, a Barcelona-based startup that has created
a ribeye steak alternative out of a blend of water, vegetable fat, and plant proteins using a 3D
printer.This company is aiding the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions while offsetting
the massive water waste that results from the 346.14 million tons of meat that humans consume
globally each year.47 We will talk in more detail about 3D printing food to feed the world further
along in the chapter.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Currently, 3D printing is a largely untapped market for healthcare. It is predicted
there will be huge potential through additive manufacturing innovations to transform
the quality and accessibility of healthcare around the world. By providing access
to customized medical devices and prosthetics, medical services are improving
the quality and comfort for users while reducing the costs of manufacturing them. In the most
advanced utility, 3D printing is being developed to manufacture internal organs, meaning patients
would no longer need to wait for a suitable donor.This concept is in development, but printing
complete organs is highly complex and there are matters of ethics that will need reviewing.
3D bioprinting is the automated fabrication of multicellular tissue that is growing in use. For
instance, $44 million US-based 3D bioprinting startup Organovo designs and creates functional
human tissues with reproducible 3D tissues that accurately represent human biology.48 Additive
manufacturing companies, such as Markforged, enable businesses to design, manufacture, and
fabricate innovative components.The Digital Forge - Markforged’s industrial platform of 3D
printers, software, and materials that enables manufacturers to print parts at the point-of-need
– produces parts for a range of industries.49 From prosthetics to prototypes, the core business
model for the medical sector is to ensure healthcare professionals are supplied with specialized
emergency medical devices and parts faster than ever before.

HEALTHTECH: 3D PRINTED VACCINES

There has also been serious movement towards printing vaccines. For instance, MIT invented
a 3D printed vaccine which offers several immunizations at once.50 The particles containing
the immunization were constructed from a biodegradable material.This project will improve
immunization rates for people without regular access to healthcare.The initiative has several
benefits, such as allowing babies to take all their immunizations at once for the first two years of
their lives.

Scientists at Stanford University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill have created
a 3D-printed vaccine patch that provides greater protection than a typical vaccine shot. Applying
the vaccine patch directly to the skin allows vaccines to target the immune cells. In practice,
the resulting immune response from the vaccine patch was ten times greater than a vaccine
delivered into an arm muscle with a needle jab.51 “In developing this technology, we hope to set
the foundation for even more rapid global development of vaccines, at lower doses, in a pain- and
anxiety-free manner,”52 said lead study author and entrepreneur in 3D print technology Joseph M.
DeSimone, professor of translational medicine and chemical engineering at Stanford University and
professor emeritus at UNC-Chapel Hill.
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 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Additive manufacturing makes local production possible, which lowers transportation
costs and prevents the pollution that typically comes with transportation.
The tech also enables remote areas and developing economies to create labor
and entrepreneurial opportunities for local production and needs. Not only
do these benefits enable supply chain movement with greater ease, but they also suggest
the technology stimulates economic activity. We find an example of this with the additive
manufacturing consultancy firm The Barnes Group Advisors (TBGA).The firm constructed an
additive manufacturing production campus for the Pittsburgh International Airport, known as
Neighborhood 91. It is the first development in the world to condense and connect all elements
of the additive manufacturing and 3D printing supply chain onto one campus. Pennsylvania Senator
Devlin Robinson stated in 2021, with regards to economic advancement, that “Neighborhood
91’s ability to foster local employment while lowering costs and boosting production is one of a
kind.”53 Specifically, the impact of this tech campus could lead to benefits of nearly 30% decrease
in production costs for parts, and can also potentially reduce manufacturing lead times by 80%. 54
Neighborhood 91 may also have a positive impact on R&D productivity and innovation by allowing
for a greater reduction in learning curves and under-utilized equipment.55

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION, AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Improving the share of GDP derived from industry, 3D printing provides an
increasing number of economies access to the tools necessary to manufacture
complex products. It also increases access for small-scale producers by dropping
the capital cost of manufacturing complex products. Furthermore, the tech boosts
innovation – spurring the development of more intricate designs and encouraging innovation in the
materials used in product creation. Laser Melting Innovations (LMI) launched its highly economical
laser-based 3D printer, Alpha 140, in 2018. LMI aims to overcome existing barriers to 3D printing
adoption by making the technology easier to use through integrating its system with more cost-
effective components, subsequently reducing a business’s equipment investment. Because of these
innovations, the company has been able to lower the price of its machine to under $118,500.56
These compact metal 3D printers, due to functionality and low price, are a source of intrigue for
research institutions and small businesses seeking to adopt metal 3D printing.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

A shift toward 3D printing would allow more localized production. On-site product
creation capability greatly cuts transport needs, and therefore simultaneously reduces
air pollution and congestion in cities.The New Raw, a Rotterdam-based research and
design studio, and Zero Waste Lab in Thessaloniki, a recycling facility that operates
under The New Raw and Coca Cola’s Zero Waste Future Program, partnered to turn plastic
waste into 3D printable products and installations.57 Recently, the group expanded its “Print Your
City” initiative by inviting citizens to contribute their plastic waste and help design 3D printable
street furniture to be placed around their city. Not only does this engage citizens in reusing their
household plastic waste, it also helps in constructively transforming public spaces within cities.
This business partnership aims to grow profits while at the same time involve participants in the
recycling process by teaching them about the benefits of a circular economy.

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 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
Sustainable 3D printed buildings are also a response to the realization of sustainable
construction. Given its structural profile and closed-loop process that is additive
rather than reductive, additive manufacturing produces less waste during production
than more traditional manufacturing models. It also promotes the use of local
products and the recycling of materials to create new products.

Shapeways, a leading global digital manufacturing platform with proprietary software in 3D printing,
is a platform where 3D printing service providers can register and find potential customers while
making a profit.60 Designers with consumer and market expertise are also available to create
custom models on request.Valued at $410 million, Shapeways is a novel service where businesses
may start with nothing and end up with fully printed products.61

IN PROPTECH: 3D PRINTED PROPERTY - ARCHITECTURE AND BUILDINGS

Chinese company WinSun specializes in 3D printing architecture and the production of new
building materials.58 WinSun’s 3D printing technology uses industrial solid waste to replace
cement in the production of a new type of low-carbon building.With 17% annual growth of
China’s large construction industry,WinSun’s mission is to use 3D printing to produce more than
22 million square meters of prefabricated building materials from industrial solid waste.59 The
“ink”, or printer additive, is made from 100% recycled materials, saving 18,000 tons of cement in
2016 alone.The structures are highly energy-efficient, can withstand magnitude 9 earthquakes,
and save significant time and resources during construction, with less waste and pollution of the
environment.

90
TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION
ƒ Reduce waste during production.
ƒ Enable local production.
ƒ Recycle and upcycle materials for reuse and new product
development.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND

COMMUNITIES INFRASTRUCTURE
ƒ Automate 3D-printed infrastructure and ƒ Increase access for small-scale
buildings. producers.
ƒ Facilitate quick printing of disaster housing ƒ Allow more flexible, local
and homeless shelters. on-demand manufacturing in
ƒ Reduce transport needs and pollution. remote areas.
ƒ Boost innovation through
optimized product design and
packaging.

92
 NO POVERTY
ƒ Reduce the cost of making advanced products and
components.
ƒ Enable cheaper and easier repairs.
ƒ Offer the opportunity of turning waste into products.

3D PRINTING
ZERO HUNGER DECENT WORK AND
ƒ Reduce the quantity ECONOMIC GROWTH
of food wasted during ƒ Increase global
production. resource efficiency.
ƒ Help to lower food ƒ Pioneer increases in
costs and increase economic productivity
availability. and localized
ƒ Offer greater production.
accessibility to ƒ Allow local production
printed foods. and repair.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ƒ Provide access to customized medical devices,
prosthetics, vaccines, and medications.
ƒ Enable cheaper, customized, and faster bone-printing.
ƒ Bioprint human tissue and organs that currently rely
primarily on donors.

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 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
3D printing is enhancing business models across industries and sectors.We are already seeing
the tech’s potential to significantly reduce costs, while at the same time enable sustainable and
localized production.With the unparalleled ability to increase speed-to-market, lower costs and
customize specialty parts, 3D printing is driving innovation and new technologies. Shifting the
manufacturing landscape, this tech offers numerous benefits to 4IR businesses. Given the wide
variety of materials that can be used in additive manufacturing, this technology can be catapulted
forward as a positive force disrupting business models. Many currently established business
sectors, including but not limited to food, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, industry, construction, and
infrastructure, will benefit from implementing 3D printing capabilities at scale.

For small-scale businesses, the threshold for market entry with an impactful disruptive business
model is significantly lower since there are likely no extra machines or input materials needed. For
large companies, the 3D breakthrough means eliminating excess inventory, reducing warehouse
costs, and minimizing wasteful overstocking.Throughout the entire supply chain, opportunities for
shared value are present. Additive manufacturing enables the creation of tailored, personalized
products and services by allowing new offerings to be both sustainable and customer-centric.We
can view these possibilities as paving the way for creating additional business value.

Products can be programmed down to the particle and made specifically for both companies
and individuals.The possibility for personalization, as well as mass production, is stronger than
ever.With this trend growing, 3D printing serves as a cornerstone for businesses to seize value
creation. One notable example is MetalFuse, recently launched by leading metal manufacturing
company Raise3D, which allows for faster and more cost-effective 3D printing of customized metal
parts.

BUSINESS ADVANTAGES OF 3D PRINTING IN MANUFACTURING FOR GOOD

Of the many advantages of 3D printing as a Tech for Good in business, a significant feature is
rapid prototyping. Rapid prototyping is the ability to design, manufacture, and test a customized
part in as little time as possible.This implies that the speed with which additive manufacturing
capabilities enable production has significant business advantages. Also, if needed, the design can
be modified without adversely affecting the speed of the manufacturing process. Not only does
rapid prototyping speed up the product development process, it also spurs innovation. Designers
can employ it to create complex and intricate models that greatly reduce the time between initial
design and analysis.

With 3D printing techniques, a business can design parts, manufacture them in-house on
a professional 3D printer, and test them – all within a short time. For both small and large
businesses, this makes a significant difference.There are no long lead times typically associated with
outsourcing complex manufacturing projects.This presents businesses with freedom and flexibility,
allowing the inclusion of multiple materials into a single object and enabling mechanical properties
to be used together. 3D printing enables quick and easy modification through product adaptation
based on a constant stream of feedback.With the use of CAD and a 3D printer, this automated
process not only uses the exact amount of material needed to develop a precise prototype, but it
also mitigates the risk of making costly mistakes which saves money and time.62

In addition to the speed and flexibility of 3D printing, cost reduction is also a major bonus. For
small production runs and applications, 3D printing is the most cost-effective manufacturing
process.63 Traditional prototyping methods like CNC machining and injection molding require
various expensive machines. Further, they have much higher labor costs, as they require

94
15
IN BUSINESS
RAISE3D64
Initiative: MetalFuse
Headquarters: Irvine, California USA

Raise3D is a manufacturer of industrial-grade 3D printers.With flexible manufac-

turing processes, the tech company creates 3D printing products, services, and
solutions that consistently serve small, medium, and large enterprises throughout
the world. In mid 2021, Raise3D launched MetalFuse at leading 3D printing and
additive manufacturing event TCT Asia in Shanghai, China.65 MetalFuse is an end-
to-end Metal Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) tech solution that enables faster
and more cost-effective 3D printing of metal parts (SDG 12).66 In the process of
MetalFuse development, the company compared its solution with various FFF print-
ers for print accuracy, print size, repeatability, stability, and slicing software support
optimized for Metal FFF. Raise3D thus improved the accuracy and mechanical prop-
erties of the printed samples (SDG 9).

This tech innovation enables local customers to produce tailor-made metal parts
requiring far less time and at greatly reduced cost (SDGs 8,10). Edward Feng,
Global CEO of Raise3D, said: “Our Raise3D MetalFuse system offers a solution to
additive manufacturing of metal parts that is easier, safer, cleaner, cheaper, and faster
than the current AM metal parts productions, making it accessible to everyone
using those solutions.”67 Also in 2021, Raise3D announced the closing of a funding
round raising $15.81 million, and plans to continue to launch the large-scale deliv-
ery of commercial MetalFuse systems through 2022 onward.68

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 experienced machine operators and technicians to run them.This contrasts with the 3D
printing process where generally only one or two machines and fewer operators are needed to
manufacture a part.There is far less waste material because the part is not carved out of a solid
block as in subtractive manufacturing.The “ink” or material within the printer builds the part
without any required additional tooling.

Because of the speed and lower costs of 3D printing, production processes are reduced, thereby
leading to competitive advantage. Businesses can improve and enhance production, allowing
them to deliver better products in a shorter amount of time. Further, 3D printing also allows for
cost-effective market testing. Obtaining feedback from potential customers and investors on a
tangible product eliminates the risk of large upfront expenditures for prototyping.69 The nature of
3D printing promotes step-by-step production which guarantees enhancement of the design and
potential for higher quality products.That is, parts are printed in succession, thereby enabling each
successive individual part to be monitored and ensuring errors are caught in real time. Beyond
the reduction in wasted materials, the tech also increases the consistency of quality of the parts
produced. Because of these advantages of quality and consistency, 3D printing allows businesses to
mitigate risks in manufacturing.

3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY AFFORDS PRODUCT DESIGNERS THE ABILITY

TO VERIFY PRODUCT PROTOTYPES BEFORE MAKING SUBSTANTIAL
INVESTMENTS IN MANUFACTURING THAT CAN BE POTENTIALLY COSTLY AND
INEFFICIENT.

These factors make 3D printing systems far more accessible to a wider range of people than
traditional manufacturing processes.With 3D printing, fewer parts need outsourcing for
manufacturing.This equals truly sustainable manufacturing through reduced environmental impact.
Additional sustainability benefits include input materials used in 3D printing being generally
recyclable.70 For small production runs, localized prototyping, small business, and educational
use, 3D printing often proves vastly superior to other industrial methods.This type of on-site 3D
printing transforms the way companies develop and produce parts and prototypes, as exemplified
by BCN3D’s collaboration with Spanish shoe company Camper to innovate and recreate in
response to market trends.

The technology is enabling Manufacturing as a Service (MaaS) and enhancing service-based business
models. 3D printing allows parts to be produced from a digital file, and most of the workflow is
data driven. Professor Ian Campbell at Loughborough University illuminates the potential of 3D
printing compared to traditional manufacturing: “Additive manufacturing can do some incredible
things in terms of creating complex geometries, but to expect one person or even a team of
people to sit down and create those sorts of geometry would create a real bottleneck if it was
all being done using conventional tools.”71 This superior network approach that eliminates tooling
allows for much more efficient production, with a reduced ecological footprint in resources, waste,
and emissions because of the local production aspect and a sharing economy business model.
When developed and implemented correctly, 3D printing could turn out to be a potential solution
for many of our current global challenges.

GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

At present, additive manufacturing solutions are used throughout many sectors.The tech’s
transformation has taken off and the potential for market integration is growing. However, the
debate on conceptualization and implementation remains, with the main setback for 3D printing
being that it is still not implemented on a large scale.Yet, this is changing rapidly.

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IN BUSINESS
BCN3D72
Initiative: Camper In-house 3D-printed Footwear Design
Headquarters: Barcelona, Spain

Spanish shoe company Camper employed its technical department to streamline

their process of developing new collections by integrating desktop 3D printers
(SDGs 9,12). In-house 3D printing has significantly increased the pace of Camper’s
design process, allowing for more creative freedom and accelerating their workflow
while keeping costs down (SDGs 8,10).73 The design team typically has a three-
month deadline to create each new collection, giving them little time to prepare.
Therefore, 3D printing offers a fast and cost-efficient solution which allows for
testing a product and maintaining high-quality standards before it goes to market.
Before the company started working with in-house 3D printing, they were out-
sourcing the production of physical models.

This process was slow and expensive, taking up to two weeks to receive a proto-
type, reducing iteration to the minimum, with most of the work being done through
2D digital designs limited to a screen.With various 3D printers on-site, including
the incorporation of several BCN3D Sigma and Sigmax 3D printers, Camper has
new designs immediately.74 This is a huge advantage for designers, because they can
print a shoe model in 3D the next day. “With various 3D printers on site, Camper’s
designers now have new designs literally in the palms of their hand,”75 said Xavier
Martínez Faneca, CEO of BCN3D. Enhancing creative possibilities for Camper, this
tech offers a significant acceleration of new product development and a cost-effi-
cient solution for the company’s iterative design process.

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 The impressive market numbers mentioned earlier in this chapter indicate this shift. Some SDG
growth markets - market segments that will unlock and provide new and fast-growing market
opportunities - are driving the circular economic business model. 3D printing is enabling the
circular economy throughout a wide range of business sectors, including healthcare, construction,
infrastructure, and food. We’ll shed some light on the opportunities for these markets now.

IMPROVING WASTE MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS

Globally, there was initially the straight economy model. Simply put, in this frame, the product
was contrived, traded, and then discarded when it reached its expiration date. In contrast to that
model, we have the circular economy that is centered on renewable, recyclable, and reusable
products. Additive manufacturing creates a range of innovative opportunities to seize the immense
value of the transition from a straight to a circular economy.The global opportunity for a shift
to a circular economy is predicted to be approximately $4.5 trillion per year in the next decade,
and as much as $25 trillion by 2050.76 In Europe alone such an approach could boost resource
productivity by 3% to the year 2030, which would save in monetary value up to $710 billion a year,
and $2.1 trillion more in other economic benefits.77

WHAT IS A CIRCULAR ECONOMY?

A circular economy refers to an economic system that eliminates waste and aims for continuous
use of resources.William McDonough popularized the concept with his book “Cradle to Cradle,”
after which it grew rapidly in use.78 The circular economy concept emulates the cyclical systems of
the natural environment.Thus, humans should take note of this natural process and engage anew,
adopting nature’s cyclical flow – hence the word circular economy.

Worldwide business operations are aiming to reduce their ecological footprint in terms of
resources and waste. Companies that bring forward solutions endeavor to do so by using 3D
printing in a smart way – by tapping into lucrative growth markets across business sectors. For
instance, the tech solution dramatically reduces the production of scrap waste – sometimes by as
much as 90% compared to conventional manufacturing.79 This percentage can further improve if
scraps from the production process are reused. As a result, we have in our hands maximum impact
with the additive manufacturing process, as production uses waste and secondary materials rather
than virgin materials.

THE 3D PRINTING PROCESS ALONE CAN HELP SLASH GLOBAL CO2

EMISSIONS BY AS MUCH AS 5% BY 2025.80

Thanks to the advancement of 3D tech, the intensive process of decomposition, such as that
of plastic water bottles, can now be made easier.We have 3D printers today, including the
ProtoCycler81 from ReDeTec and the Filabot Reclaimer,82 that efficiently break down single-
use plastics. A decomposition process that took 450 years carries less weight as it has, since
advanced technology now enables bottles to be transformed into the raw materials for additive
manufacturing to build its 3D prints. In this way, we upcycle waste into valuable materials.The
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17
IN BUSINESS
REDETEC83
Initiative: ProtoCycler, 3D Printing Waste Reducing Machine
Headquarters:Toronto, Ontario Canada

ProtoCycler is an all-in-one recycling system for 3D printers, which allows businesses to

make their own filament from recycled waste and virgin plastic pellets.The ProtoCycler
machine reduces the amount of waste associated with 3D printing (SDG 12).To elimi-
nate waste after printing, this company created an additive manufacturing solution that
is also a recycling system with the ability to recycle the majority of the most commonly
used plastics and other additive materials on the market. It is the only 3D printer on
the market that has a grinder included, which recycles 3D printer waste and turns it
back into filament. ReDeTec also uses its own patented extrusion technology, with fully
automatic built-in diameter feedback that produces exact 3D printer filament for every
use (SDG 9). By allowing users to create their own spools from virgin plastics, businesses
can reduce the cost of 3D printer filament spools by up to 80% (SDG 16).84 This saves
hundreds or thousands of dollars per year on printing costs. For the purposes of elimi-
nating waste, the technology has the potential to be widely used across communities and
in sectors ranging from education to aerospace (SDGs 11,17).

18
MEDTECH3D85 AND AXIAL3D86
Initiative: A Catalogue of 3D Printing Healthcare Services for Practitioners
Headquarters: Belfast, Ireland and Durban, South Africa

MedTech3D and Axial3D are two medical technology companies who partnered to distill
focus on 3D printing in association with healthcare, while bringing affordable medical
imaging and 3D printing to clinicians in South Africa (SDG 17).87 One of their main
applications, and an industry they have impacted using the technology, is surgical planning
(SDGs 3,9).This helps in converting medical images like CTs or MRIs into 3D models
and printed as patient-specific anatomical models. Risk is reduced and surgeons perform
an operation more efficiently by using a patient-specific model to plot surgical proce-
dures (SDG 10). Such models are provided by the UK-based Axial3D which offers clini-
cians patient-specific 3D printed anatomical models derived from their medical images.
The company’s unique platform allows for these models to be transformed and produced
at rapid rates of under 48 hours. 88 Hospitals are benefitting from these patient-specific
prints, especially for their emergency surgical procedures.

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 ProtoCycler machine, developed by Canadian company ReDeTec, reduces the amount of waste
associated with 3D printing.To reduce wastage after printing, this company created an additive
manufacturing solution that also serves as a recycling system. More specifically, it recycles most of
the commonly used plastics and other additive materials on the market, birthing a unique business
model for 3D printing.
One cannot underplay the importance of recycling plastic. At present, we only recycle 8% to 9%,
and plastics continue suffocating our oceans as well as land.89 If humans continue this cycle, we will
have more plastic swimming in our seas than fish by 2050.90 Taking bold action is more necessary
than ever. Dutch company 3Devo has launched a machine that allows businesses to create filament
directly from this plastic waste, boosting the circular economy system that empowers users to
create their own 3D printing material.91 3Devo’s innovation, the SHR3D IT machine, is capable
of transforming plastic waste into 3D printable granules.92 In just one hour, SHR3D IT is able to
recycle 5.1 kilograms of plastic. In addition to this innovative system, 3Devo launched the Filabot
Reclaimer machine that benefits businesses by creating filament directly from these granules. In this
way, the startup gives a boost to a complete circular economy system that allows users to create
their own 3D printing material.

3D PRINTING CAN ADDRESS THE UP TO 1.3 BILLION TONS OF FOOD WASTE

ENTERING THE WASTE STREAM THAT CAUSES ECONOMIC LOSSES
OF OVER $750 BILLION.93

3D printing can also address food waste. Globally, we either lose or waste one-third of the food
produced, which adds up to 1.3 billion tons to the waste stream and causes economic losses of
over $750 billion.94 One technological innovation worth mentioning is Uprinting Food, spun into
the Dutch company of the same name. Uprinting Food creates an innovative way to use residual
food flows and create delicious-tasting and looking meals. By blending and combining the different
ingredients from residual food flows, purees are created, which then are used to 3D print solid
meal options.These prints are baked and dehydrated for crunch and longevity.This Dutch Tech
for Good initiative aims to help restaurants analyze and reuse food waste by 3D printing it into
tasty snacks.95 Additive manufacturing further has the potential to eliminate the need for extensive
transport, storage, and travel required by traditional food production.

FOSTERING HEALTH AND WELLBEING

From a medical perspective, the business of 3D printing to create value for SDGs 1, 3 and 11 is
a vast and largely untapped market. Additive manufacturing tech advancements allow healthcare
professionals to attain instant access to prosthetics, organs, and tissues for patients. 3D printing
for medical procedures, also known as bioprinting, combines 3D printing tech and biomaterials.
Replicating parts that imitate natural tissues, bones, and blood vessels in the body, bioprinting
is still a relatively recent concept. It has been used in medicine since around 2007 and has been
employed to help study or recreate almost every tissue, cartilage, and organ in the body.96 If this is
our present, imagine the future.

3D PRINTED BONE GRAFTS AND BONE SUBSTITUTES ARE SET TO MAKE UP

$4.15 BILLION OF THE SURGICAL MARKET BY 2026.97

Burn victims who do not have enough undamaged skin to harvest can find some relief with
bioprinter-enabled wound care and healing. Bioprinters gather a patient’s wound and cell
information from a scanner, then create new skin that can be grafted onto the patient.98 Human
bone technological advancement is in high demand in global healthcare as well, and we have
reached the point where one bone graft is performed by a surgeon on patients every minute of
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every day.99 Back and knee surgeries alone account for thousands of bone grafts annually, and the
numbers are rising. In global terms, bones are set to make up $4.15 billion of the surgical market
by 2026. If we bring 3D printing into this equation, it becomes a game-changing market solution
and generates healthy profits for healthcare investments.

Among the extraordinary benefits for 3D printers are the ways in which they also incorporate
business success into practical use for customers. For example, Fasotec, a Japanese 3D printing
company, and Tokyo’s Hiroo Ladies clinic began a service that produces replicas of fetuses by
scanning a pregnant woman’s abdomen.100 The fetus is printed with clear filament to model out
the semi-formed baby inside, rather than the typical ultrasound photos. A 3D printer is then used
to construct the model.The baby’s position, posture, and appearance look exactly as it does in
the mother’s uterus. Fasotec is only one example.There are several other important business
opportunities for medical 3D printing. Large players such as Stratasys and 3D Systems are
certifying an end-to-end process for producing medical parts with newly developed materials.They
are using their printing technology and offering printing services to customers such as hospitals.

MAXILLOFACIAL PROSTHETICS ARE TRADITIONALLY VERY LABOR-INTENSIVE

AND EXPENSIVE TO PRODUCE, AND 3D PRINTING OFFERS A WAY TO
LOCALIZE THE PROCESS AS WELL AS CUT COSTS.101

3D Systems Precision Healthcare Solutions in another HealthTech business founded on the

ability to create highly personalized 3D printed medical devices and patient-specific surgical
simulation.102 This tech solution features direct printing of individualized implants and customized
instrumentation, while creating healthcare market shifts that are taking place throughout the
world. Not only increasing speed and reducing cost, the company’s 3D printed medical products
also transform and enrich lives for a healthier population. 3D Systems partners with surgeons,
healthcare professionals, medical device manufacturers, and medical teaching staff to offer a range
of precision healthcare solutions.These services include virtual reality simulators, 3D printed
anatomical models, virtual surgical planning, patient-specific surgical guides, instrumentation, and
implants. Helping patients all over the world through technological advancement for good, 3D
Systems generates products that assist a variety of critical health concerns.103

THE 3D PRINTING IN HEALTHCARE MARKET IN THE MIDDLE EAST AND AFRICA

IS EXPECTED TO REACH A VALUE OF $1.97 BILLION BY 2023,
EXPANDING AT A CAGR OF 21.82% FROM 2018 TO 2023.104

It is worth marveling how a number of orthopedic implant surgeries including hip replacement,
shoulder replacement, knee replacement, and spinal implant procedures are becoming increasingly
significant across the world. Predictions state that the global orthopedic 3D printing devices
market will register a compound annual growth rate of nearly 26% between 2019 and the end
of 2023.105 Because of this large market growth, several vendors are now offering 3D printing
technologies to meet the increasing demand for orthopedic implants.This process enables
hospitals to use patient-specific prints for emergency surgical procedures.

Kenya is another country that has been excelling in terms of growing and developing with 3D
printing technology. A 20-year-old electrical engineering student from Nairobi University, Alois
Mbutura, developed a minuscule vein finder in the hope of addressing infant mortality and
improving vaccination services.This tiny device was 3D printed using a MakerBot 3D printer.
Medical startup Kijenzi Medtech is also using 3D printing technology to provide medical solutions
to Kenya’s very rural, remote clinics.This inspiring endeavor is looking at training nursing staff to
print components on-site by downloading files and sending them to the printer. 106 Micrive Infinite
is doing its part to spur more homegrown medical solutions to help and improve healthcare in
Kenya as well.
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19 IN BUSINESS
MICRIVE INFINITE107
Initiative: Homegrown Medical Solutions
Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya

Micrive Infinite is spearheading localized medical solutions to improve healthcare in Kenya

(SDGs 3,9).The company is integrating engineering, 3D printing technology, and medical
research to transform surgery, treatment, and patient rehabilitation.The business model is
based on 3D printing prototypes that help surgeons understand a patient’s medical issues
before surgery can be done. It is a type of “compass for surgeons” planning for accurate
execution of surgeries that can help patients heal faster as well as ease costs (SDG 4).
Although started with only an idea, the business has grown since 2017 and grossed 25
million in Kenyan shillings (approximately $220,000 to 230,000).108 The business now has
four employees handling various tasks, from sourcing for business to making the proto-
type that is delivered to surgeons (SDG 12).

20
FRAMLAB109
Initiative: Homed, Shelter for the Homeless
Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York USA

Issues have arisen due to the reduction in the budget allocated for investments in building
and preserving affordable housing in New York City (SDG 11). Over 60,000 people are
seeking refuge in homeless shelters every night (SDGs 3,10).110 To address this urban
issue, Framlab proposed the innovative Homed scheme to accommodate the growing
number of people without shelter in NYC (SDGs 1,12).The limited number and expen-
sive cost of available land has led Framlab to utilize what they have termed “vertical lots,”
formed by building walls to create temporary shelters. “Although almost every square foot
of space in NYC has been claimed and utilized, there still manages to exist an abundant
amount of “vertical lots” sitting idle,” explains Andreas A.Tjeldflaat, Founder and Design
Director of the agency behind Homed. 111 “These are the blank sidewalls of buildings that
emerge and disappear as new developments come and go.” This system is constructed of
scaffolding onto windowless facades across the city, and fashioned into hexagon-shaped
modules. Each pod houses one person, in order to maintain their privacy and safety,
compared to conditions in the communal facilities often provided by shelters. As a sin-
gle-person housing system, the 3D-printed modules allow furniture, storage, lighting and
appliances to be integrated into the structure – resulting in a minimal space, tailored to
the specific needs and desires of its residents (SDG 9).112 A viable solution to New York
City’s shelter challenges, Framlab’s Homed has the potential to save millions of dollars.

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CITIES AND INFRASTRUCTURE SOLUTIONS
We have entered an unprecedented era where a variety of buildings and houses can now be
printed. House printing has in fact already been demonstrated as a solution for low-income needs.
Companies such as ICON and New Story have promoted a low-cost 3D printed house for only
$4,000.113 Beyond this 3D printing technology being inexpensive, it is also time effective. It boasts
capabilities of constructing a single story, 600 to 800 square feet home in under 24 hours. In
contrast, traditional manual labor construction would extend this period to anywhere from four
to seven months.114 Imagine how we can combat homelessness via this low-cost housing tech.
In developing areas of large cities, planners will establish 3D printing business opportunities to
combat homelessness. And what is more, undertaking projects like these has already become a
reality. Considering these housing heroics, we can call 3D printing, when applied for good, a truly
life-saving technology.

WE CAN CALL 3D-PRINTING, WHEN APPLIED FOR GOOD, A TRULY LIFE-

SAVING TECHNOLOGY.

A prime example is the creative design agency Framlab that developed 3D printed pods to shelter
New York’s homeless.115 The company is taking action to address housing constraints in New
York City. Spending on homelessness more than doubled to $3.2 billion between fiscal years 2014
and 2019, and homeless shelter operations during that same time period went from $326 million
to $666 million.116 It is further predicted the city will need at least $260 million more in funding
annually beginning in 2024 to support homeless shelters, outreach, and housing vouchers.117
Framlab’s pod project, called Homed, is a tech solution consisting of a prefabricated outer
aluminum shell with 3D printed polycarbonate interior modules and tailored with a customizable
range of amenities.

The US company ICON produced the first 3D-printed tiny house.This 400 square feet home,
printed in less than 48 hours, is rented for only $300 a month.118 The company’s Community
First! Village in Texas provides financial support programs for residents and aims to house 40%
of Austin’s homeless population.119 ICON has delivered over two dozen 3D printed homes and
structures to date across the US and Mexico, the most completed by any tech construction
company. 120 Numerous projects are underway to deliver 3D printed social housing, disaster relief
housing, and mainstream housing developments. In the future, there is hope that the materials
applied will become increasingly sustainable compared to the traditional concrete still being used
on some projects. On a positive trajectory, replacement alternatives are already being looked into
for 3D printing housing.

THE 3D PRINTED COMMUNITY FIRST! VILLAGE IN AUSTIN, TEXAS PROVIDES

SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR RESIDENTS AND AIMS TO HOUSE 40% OF THE
CITY’S HOMELESS POPULATION.121

We find another application of 3D-printed homes in disaster-affected areas where housing is

needed quickly and at low cost. Often these printed homes are able to withstand severe storms
and earthquakes, thus being disaster-resilient. Remaining sturdy in the face of a hurricane, flooding,
or other disasters, 3D printed houses hold up to extreme weather brought on by climate change
that we are witnessing more and more.The company We Print Homes constructs technologically
advanced design-for-durability printed houses.122 Their superior strength can withstand the forces
of nature, while both materials as well as design aim for living in safety and comfort to improve the
lives of residents.

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 Additive manufacturing derived single homes are indeed progress in societal development, but
imagine printed neighborhoods. Charitable tech firm New Story and two Mexican construction
companies are building just that - 3D-printed neighborhood of homes in Tabasco, Mexico.123 The
secure 500-square-foot houses each comprise a living room, kitchen, bathroom and two bedrooms.
These will be available to 50 families, some of whom earn as little as $3 a day. Giant 3D printer
Vulcan II builds these homes in pairs, taking around 24 hours of total print time per house.124
This rapid construction is possible due to a specially mixed concrete that hardens quickly.While
this is an impressive example where we see smart progress, we need to take one more step to
replace traditional concrete with more sustainable source material that eliminates negative carbon
footprint.The silver lining is that these homes too are built on reinforced foundations and have
been designed to withstand earthquakes, which are common in the region.

CHARITABLE TECH FIRM NEW STORY HAS BUILT MORE THAN 2,500 HOMES
IN HAITI, EL SALVADOR, BOLIVIA, AND MEXICO AND POSITIVELY IMPACTED
OVER 14,00 LIVES.125

INNOVATING FOOD SYSTEMS

The 3D printing food industry is expected to have a massive impact on our economy.This new-
age food market is predicted to reach $525.6 million by the end of 2023 globally, rising at an
annual rate of about 46% through the year.126 Specifically, it can bridge the gap between small
and large-scale players within the food industry.127 The additive manufacturing food market will
give consumers access to more choice and accessibility to meals and nourishment and may feed
the hungry in poor areas of the world. Furthermore, 3D printing meals will promote safer food
production processes, healthier nutrient options, and more environmentally viable methods of food
production for all sectors.

$1 TRILLION OF FOOD IS WASTED GLOBALLY EACH YEAR. 3D PRINTING WILL

HELP ENSURE NO MATERIAL IS WASTED.

We have already talked about food wastage, which necessitates a discussion about related
programs. Innovative startups, such as Genetics, are battling food waste by converting it into
biodegradable plastics. Using the power of biotechnology, machine learning, and microbial
engineering, the team at Genetics can manufacture a form of plastic from food waste that creates
more sustainable toys, medical devices, and 3D printer filament.With a direct link to the circular
economy, this tech solution fuels the possibility of bringing excess food to our homes and hospitals
instead of wasting it.This is similar to what we have already talked about with Uprinting. Another
very exciting possibility for 3D-printed food is its ability to be customized to individual needs. For
example, additives can be formulated with extremely high precision to create foods with specific
nutrient content. Even NASA is developing a 3D food printer that produces meals from powdered
proteins, carbohydrates, macronutrients, and micronutrients.128

AT THE SINGAPORE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY AND DESIGN (SUTD),

RESEARCHERS ARE WORKING ON 3D PRINTING A NEW KIND OF FOOD INK
WHICH CAN BE USED TO MAINTAIN FOOD STRUCTURE.129

The highly advanced printers can also modify textures for food, making it easier to swallow or
chew.This has great value for elderly people. By printing the elderly’s favorite dishes, everything
from taste to texture to nutritional value can be recreated and subsequently enjoyed. Additionally,
since food can be printed in every shape and form, some pleasure in consumption and visual value
can be brought back to eating, just as in the original tasty nutritional product or meal. At Singapore

104
Polytechnic, for instance, researchers are exploring the idea of printing food for elderly that they
crave.With several options, 3D printed meals can range from vegetables to meats to seafoods
like crab. Lowering sugar and enriching foods with the vitamins and calcium elderly people need,
ingredients added to 3D printers can be engineered to render healthier meals.

Nanyang Technological University is also collaborating with Anrich3D to create innovative 3D

printed food products in the form of exciting edible treats like chocolates and pastries.130 The
company plans to bring 3D printed food to the market for both consumers and businesses in
an effort to print out precise amounts of required ingredients for optimal nutrition – think
mathematically optimized meals.131 As a larger goal, Anrich3D will eventually mass-produce
personalized meals such as burgers, pizzas, and sandwiches, leveraging apps and vending machines
that allow customers to choose their own food ink ingredients.132 Additionally, the Europe-based
project PERFORMANCE uses the technology to recreate elderly’s favorite dishes.133 Beyond use
for the elderly, this new type of food manufacturing could prove pivotal in relieving world hunger.
This prospect can involve abundant and easily sourced food types rich in protein and antioxidants,
such as algae.134

ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD

The 3D printing process eliminates many steps used in traditional manufacturing and facilitates
the creation of complex structural components.The advancements made in this tech have led
to significant success in the areas of rapid prototyping and product development. However, 3D
printers are still potentially hazardous and wasteful. Moreover, their economic, political, societal,
and environmental impacts have not been extensively studied because they have not yet been
tested over the long term.

According to research, during the manufacturing process, 3D printers consume approximately

50 to 100 times more energy than injection molding – the process of melting plastic with heat
or lasers.135 For mass production, 3D printers consume a lot of energy and are therefore better
suited for small batch production. 3D printers also use high-voltage power supplies, specialized
equipment, and parts which make them difficult to use and manage; although improvements have
been made in this regard and using this additive manufacturing tech is becoming a more viable
solution.136

WITHOUT RISK THERE IS NO REWARD. BUT, WE NEED TO UNDERSTAND THE

POTENTIALLY WASTEFUL NATURE OF 3D PRINTERS.

Equipment and materials are often costly, which make the technology expensive. Industrial grade
3D printers remain very expensive, costing hundreds of thousands of dollars, thus significantly
raising the initial expenses of using the technology. For a single machine, capital investment starts in
the tens of thousands of dollars and can increase to as high as hundreds of thousands of dollars or
more. 137 Also, the materials used in commercial-grade 3D printers are often costly compared to
product materials used in traditional manufacturing.

The potential for harmful emissions also poses a problem for the proliferation of the tech. 3D
printers used in enclosed places such as homes can generate toxic emissions and carcinogenic
particles. For instance, studies show that 3D desktop computers could emit large numbers
of ultrafine particles and some hazardous volatile organic compounds during printing.138 Also
noteworthy is that popular and cheap 3D printers use a plastic filament. Although using raw plastic
reduces waste generation, the machines still leave unused or excess plastic in the print beds.The
plastic byproduct ends up in landfills, negatively affecting the environment.

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21 IN BUSINESS
PERFORMANCE139
Initiative: Printing Nutritious Food for Elderly People
Headquarters: Bremerhaven, Germany

The European-based project PERFORMANCE (Personalized Food for the Nutrition

of Elderly Consumers) was an initiative that leveraged the advantage of additive
manufacturing technology to recreate meals for the elderly.The project involved
many European countries, including Italy, Austria, Holland, and Denmark, and is run
by the German-based food innovation company Biozoon Food Innovations. It was
a multidisciplinary collaboration between SMEs in the field of food products and
ingredients, a high-tech food equipment manufacturer, catering services, software
developers, food and packaging technology providers, research institutes (food
technology, process technology, packaging, and logistics) and nursing homes (SDG
17).140 The partners developed an inkjet-based machine that 3D prints soft, appeal-
ing, and nutritious meals based on six components: pasta, potatoes, salmon, chicken,
broccoli, and green peas (SDGs 3,9).

The initiative demonstrated success with 3D printed food in nursing homes, and
now is innovating classical dishes in their original shape and form. By taking pureed
ingredients and leveraging 3D printing technology, PERFORMANCE created healthy
food for elderly persons living in nursing homes, ambient assisted living facilities, or
at home (SDGs 10,11). For nursing homes and other patients, the initiative made
use of the technology’s ability for personalization, to fit necessary nutrients as well
as portion size. Before the personalized food was printed, PERFORMANCE used
an algorithm programmed by the German IT company Sanalogic to monitor the
nutritional value of each patient on a weekly basis.

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FOR ALL THE GOOD 3D PRINTING PROMISES, WE CANNOT DISMISS THE
POTENTIAL OF THE TECH BEING USED TO DO HARM.

Perhaps the most dangerous aspect of 3D printers is the ease of creating weaponry. 3D knives,
guns, explosives, and any other dangerous items are becoming more common among criminals and
terrorists who are making such weapons without being detected.141 Some criminal organizations
have already used 3D printing technology to create card readers for bank machines.

Copyright infringements and counterfeiting are among the most significant disadvantages of 3D
printing.This means that anyone with a design blueprint can forge products very quickly.142 As time
goes on, 3D printing technology will become more user-friendly and cost-effective. It is possible
that the design and production of unlicensed weaponry and counterfeiting will then increase.

THE PRESENT SURGE IN POSITIVELY DISRUPTIVE TECH IS NOT

PROGRESSING WITHOUT RISK. WE NEED TO BE AWARE OF
THE POTENTIAL PITFALLS.

As with many of the other tech innovations in this book, human job losses and market shifts are
inevitable.This additive manufacturing technology can make product designs and prototypes in a
matter of hours, as it uses only one single step. It thus eliminates several stages that are used in
subtractive manufacturing. Because of this, adopting 3D printing eliminates labor costs and may
decrease manufacturing jobs. 3D printing, similar to other emerging positively disruptive techs, thus
raises the prospect of technological unemployment.This is more threatening for countries that
rely on a large number of low-skill jobs; the decline in manufacturing jobs due to 3D printing could
dramatically affect the economy.143

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 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
The field of 3D printing is advancing rapidly. 3D tech innovation creates new values and
transformative prospects in a diverse array of sectors.We have imagined the miraculous things
3D printing can achieve, such as 3D printing coral to preserve and restore our ocean’s reefs by
,and 3D printing houses to provide shelter for homeless people and citizens of disaster-stricken
regions. From healthcare to construction to food distribution, this 4IR additive manufacturing tech
innovation benefits business, science, and society. Its contributions are impactful across the Global
Goals, addressing several including no poverty, zero hunger, and responsible consumption and
production.

As this chapter has depicted, next-gen manufacturing characterizes the blend of additive and
traditional manufacturing with powerful results. In the world of 3D printed products, supply chains
become shorter.We will be able to produce materials ourselves, on-site, on demand, at a lower
price.While there are challenges and social anxieties associated with this tech in terms of socio-
political to environmental impacts, we are constantly progressing toward resolving them.With its
increasingly accessible and useful applications, 3D printing has unprecedented capabilities to propel
our sustainable future

We have imagined 3D Printing for Good.

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TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 ROBOTICS 4

ROBOTIC ASSISTANCE IS ENHANCING OUR LIVES.

ROBOTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL TO BECOME OUR
ALLIES AND EVEN OUR FRIENDS.

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 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine helping children with behavioral or mental disorders cope with daily life more easily.
Imagine enabling them to learn in a way that is comfortable and reassuring for them. Envision
facilitating interactions and communications in ways that match their needs. Imagine how kids
suffering from disorders or struggling in the crucial developmental phase of their lives would
benefit from learning valuable skills that will carry over into adulthood. More specifically, imagine
a child with autism embracing a possibility that is beyond the current scope of treatments and
services available to patients with disabilities, be it in hospitals or other facilities.

It is now estimated that one in 100 children is affected by Autism Spectrum Disorder, and this
number has been steadily increasing since the turn of the millennium.1 A particularly disheartening
point is that 63% of parents do not believe their child on the spectrum has access to the
educational resources that would best support them with social and emotional development.
Autistic children frequently wrestle with themselves to understand social and emotional cues.
Addressing these developmental aspects at a young age has dramatic, long-term positive benefits. In
this context, progressive and engaging teaching resources for children with autism is vital.

Advanced technologies, specifically robotics, are powerful tools for kids with autism.There are
already multiple friendly robots on the market to assist children in a variety of ways. Robots
become companions, especially during times of isolation, which has unfortunately risen since the
COVID-19 pandemic. Robots prove to make children feel safe. A robot does not care if you answer
a question wrong, and it will never get bored, angry, or upset. Even the most compassionate human
teachers cannot always control their tone of voice and facial expressions, but you can rely on a
robot for consistency. Interactive robots helping with autism and other disorders are called “social
robots.” These social robots have exceptional skills in terms of really listening to what people are
saying and even being able to read facial micro-expressions.

112
These comforting robots are developed to read all expression variations, including picking up
on tiny verbal or physical cues and acting on them.Thus, even if autistic children are unable to
articulate themselves, the robot is programmed to understand. Moxie, for instance, is a new social
robot launched by tech startup Embodied, Inc.When creating Moxie, a social companion for
children aged six to nine, Embodied designed the robot “to help promote social, emotional, and
cognitive development through everyday play-based learning and captivating content.”2 Moxie is
unique because it specializes in concentrating on one specific thing to keep its interactions focused,
rather than trying to be a generalized robot friend.3

As a growing trend, there is now even more robot help on the way for kids. A Hong Kong-based
initiative, Robot for Autism Behavioral Intervention (RABI), developed an educational program
using role-playing robots to help children on the spectrum improve their social skills. Designed
for people with autism between three and 18 years old, RABI aims to help them become more
sociable and resolve issues such as conflicts and bullying.4 We are witnessing robots acting as
companions to children with special needs to bridge the gap between the world of technology and
humanity’s social universe. Through these initiatives, learning is more fun for children in addition to
helping educators more effectively achieve learning goals.

Imagine educational robots providing stimulation and fun mental challenges to keep children
engaged and entertained while educating them at the same time.Working with them results in
improved creative problem-solving, communication, and interpersonal skills among students. While
social robots for autistic children still have plenty to learn and require further development, the
growing field of robotics is already showing promising signs.These tech friends will undoubtedly be
made to play a greater role in supporting children.

Imagine helping children with developmental disabilities.This is Robotics for Good.

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4 EXPLORING
ROBOTICS
AI and mechanics tech has emerged as a pioneer in paving the way for robotics.This chapter
explores the history as well as the business opportunities of the robotics industry.The journey
touches upon global robotics innovations and the economics of enhancing the business models
regarding how this tech is aimed at aiding humans.Then it progresses towards ways in which
robotics help fight climate change, manage recycling, streamline healthcare, boost manufacturing,
and much more. Revealing that robotics’ maximum benefits for the SDGs are derived from the
tech’s accessibility and automation, the chapter presents exciting cases for these areas.

Remote and inaccessible areas are reached by bots and tasks deemed too dangerous are carried
out by programmable machines. Farming operations become cost-effective with robot automation,
causing productivity to rise while addressing world hunger as well. Specific industry cases are
explored, indicating promising progress. Although the large-scale implementation of robotics poses
some societal concerns and threats to humanity in terms of security risks, the tech has numerous
benefits. Boasting the potential to bring dramatic enhancements to the world in many different
sectors, the power of robotics to address global challenges is explored throughout the following
chapter.

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THE TECH
The new generation of robot designs is focused on making it easier and safer for humans to
interact and work with them.There is ample opportunity for robotics to take over labor for
humans working under adverse conditions in potentially complex, changing, and unpredictable
environments.The variety and range of applications for next-generation robotics have increased
significantly.We have new sensors (such as camera, distance, force, and proximity sensors) that
enable robots to recognize and respond to their environment.The defining feature of robotics in
operation is sensing and autonomy, which separates this field from other tech solutions such as
drones.Yet, couldn’t a drone that can take off and land on its own be considered a type of robot?

Indeed, it could be, which implicates a broader understanding of robotics as a distinct tech field.
At its simplest, a robot is an intelligent, physically embodied machine that can perform tasks
autonomously to some degree. A defining feature of the current advancements in robotics tech is
that a robot can sense and manipulate its environment.6 Today, advanced robots are everywhere
due to three technologies in particular: sensors, actuators, and AI. Sensors are what keep robots
from smashing into things by using light detection and ranging (Lidar). Lidar sends out lasers to
build a 3D map of the world and is the pioneering technology behind autonomous techs like self-
driving cars. Researchers at MIT have developed a system that watches the floor in one area of a
room, for example, and picks up on subtle movements reflected from another area that the human
eye fails to see.

AI technological advancements have also transformed what robots are capable of doing. From
streamlining operations to protecting workers, AI-enabled robots have emerged as being immensely
valuable. Innovators in this space recognize the value of robots in improving the quality of life
and creating better, safer opportunities for workers and consumers. A company called SynTouch,
for instance, has developed robotic fingertips that can detect a range of touch sensations, from
temperature to coarseness.7 The robots employ software and algorithms (including artificial
intelligence) to interpret the data collected and further enhance processes, thereby helping reduce
the number of human operators required.

These automated production systems are becoming increasingly flexible and intelligent,
continuously adapting their behavior to maximize output and minimize cost per unit.Take, for
example, new robotics used in beverage filling and packing production which can automatically
adjust the speed of the entire packing line to streamline needs for any given batch.This ability to
make minuscule adjustments improves the overall balance of individual production lines, conserves
resources and maximizes the effectiveness of the whole manufacturing system.These advancements
are shifting the efficiency capabilities of entire industries.8 We have prime examples emerging of
shipping businesses like Amazon and FedEx testing autonomous delivery robots.

IN THE “LAST-MILE” DELIVERY MARKET, SHIPMENT FROM A LOCAL

DISTRIBUTION CENTER TO THE CUSTOMER, ROBOTS HAVE THE POTENTIAL
TO REDUCE DELIVERY COSTS BY 10% TO 40% IN CITIES.9

Current and emerging production technologies combined with robotics, such as computerized-
numerical-control (CNC) cutting and 3D printing, enable components to be adjusted without any
need for human work. By taking over the monotony of repetitive tasks, in addition to removing
people from any danger due to perilous labor, automation could free up humans to do more
thought-provoking or mentally challenging work.While robots engage in the mundane, people
would interface with customers, develop better products, and manage the robots themselves.We
find precedent for this shift from other historical transformations, such as the mechanization of
farming in the 1900s when people switched to more industry work.

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 Beyond the sphere of consumerism, robots interact with humans in a variety of more personal
ways. For instance, vacuum-cleaning robots are growing in popularity. Evidence suggests that a
surprisingly large number of people give these robots pet names. It is a technical challenge to build
a robot that can satisfy the criteria for friendship. Some robots seem to be getting closer, though.
While many would think of Alexa or Siri, the focus here is on Hanson Robotics’ Sophia, a humanoid
chatbot whose behavior is based on a library of pre-prepared responses.11

ROBOTICS SOFTWARE PLATFORMS

Robotics software platforms are a key component of the tech. Software packages, which simplify
the programming of different kinds of robotics devices, provide various benefits such as unified
service execution and programming environment as well as a package of common facilities such
as navigation, computer vision, or robotic arm control. According to the robotic industry experts,
about 80% of the project cost is spent on system integration which includes software development
or customization.10 Robotic software platforms are used to standardize and simplify system
integration, thereby reducing overall project costs.

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
Some of the earliest robots as we know them were created in the early 1950s by George C. Devol,
an inventor from Louisville, Kentucky.12 He invented and patented a reprogrammable manipulator
called “Unimate” from “Universal Automation.” In the late 1960s, businessman and engineer
Joseph Engelberger acquired Devol’s robot patent and modified it into an industrial robot. For
his efforts and successes, Engelberger is known in the industry as “the Father of Robotics.” Far
more advanced than the original Unimate was Shakey, designed by Charles Rosen in 1958. Shakey
could wheel around the room, observe the scene with his television “eyes,” move across unfamiliar
surroundings, and respond to his environment on a very basic level.

Until the mid-1980s, robots remained mostly in factories and labs.This trend changed with Honda’s
humanoid robotics program. Honda developed P3, which was mobile and responsive. P3 then
transitioned into Asimo, designed to help people in their daily lives.13 These early robot pioneers
were created before factory robots could be conceived.With technological advancements,
these systems established the archetypes of most of the robots we see today, from factory and
warehouse robots to autonomous package delivery drones and subsea maintenance vessels.

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ICONIC ROBOTS THROUGHOUT HISTORY
Tortoises (1949): First developed in 1949 by William Grey Walter,Tortoises boasted a light sensor,
marker light, touch sensor, propulsion motor, steering motor, and protective shell.Walter claimed
that these robots first exhibited what “might be accepted as evidence of some degree of self-
awareness.”14

Unimate (1961): The world’s first industrial robot, Unimate, was employed by General Motors for
transporting castings from the assembly line.15 It was an early illustration of a modern robot used
to carry out jobs that have previously been the domain of humans.

Shakey (1972): Shakey was a much-hyped 1960s robot developed at Stanford Research Institute.
What made Shakey particularly impressive was its ability to analyze commands and break them
into separate components, bringing together logical reasoning and physical action. Life Magazine
described it, somewhat prematurely, as the world’s “first electronic person.”16

Freddy II (1960s and 70s): Freddy II was a robot arm with adaptive grippers, a camera, and smart
image recognition technology.17 Moving over a table like an arcade claw, Freddy II could construct a
model boat and car out of wooden blocks within 16 hours.

P3 (1980s): Honda developed P3, which could walk, wave, and shake hands.18 This product
culminated in a robotic biped called Asimo (2000).

Genghis (1989): MIT debuted its Genghis hexapod robot consisting of 4 microprocessors, 22
sensors, and 12 servo motors. Genghis’ walking action was revolutionary for its time.19

General Atomics’ Predator (1990s): Predator, a remotely piloted aircraft originally named Amber,
was invented by the Israeli Air Force’s former chief designer, Abraham Karem, and later the CIA
took over development. Powered by a single, rear-mounted propeller engine, the robotic drone
could fly up to 460 miles to a target, cruise overhead for up to 14 hours, and then return to base.

ABE (1996): The Autonomous Benthic Explorer was created by the Woods Hole Oceanographic
Institution and could autonomously survey large subsea regions. Although it started with a
preplanned dive path, ABE could avoid collisions and move in for a closer look before swimming
back to recharge.

Pathfinder and Sojourner (1997): NASA’s mission to Mars entailed the Pathfinder deploying
the smaller Sojourner rover which explored the Martian terrain for 83 days. It sent back plenty
of images and took and assorted various chemical, atmospheric, and other measurements in the
process.20

Furby (1998): Furby was the first domestic robot to achieve significant sales worldwide.21 This
holiday season toy was an electronic owl-like device that supposedly learned English as you spoke
to it.Though limited in its ability, Furby remains one of the few robots in history that many people
reportedly formed an emotional bond with.

Roomba vacuum cleaner robot (2002): iRobot Corp’s Roomba vacuum cleaner robot is an
example of a top-selling domestic robot that many people brought into their homes.22

BigDog and Spot (2005): BigDog was a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA)-
sponsored creation capable of moving rapidly and efficiently across a range of different terrains.23
The project was shelved after being deemed too loud for real combat. It has now been replaced by
its smaller sibling, Spot.

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 MARKET SIZE OF ROBOTICS
The robotics industry comprises of more than 500 companies making products that can be broken
down into four categories: conventional industrial robots and cobots, stationary professional
services (such as those with medical and agricultural applications), mobile professional services
(such as professional cleaning, construction, and underwater activities), and automated guided
vehicles (AGVs) for transporting large and small loads in logistics or assembly lines.24 With robots
beginning to adopt roles beyond industrial - personal assistants, surgical assistants, delivery vehicles,
and autonomous vehicles, among many other uses - the market is experiencing an unprecedented
transformation. As robotics production has increased, costs have gone down and are expected to
continue to do so. Over the past 30 years, the average robot price has fallen by about 50%, and
even further than that in comparison to labor costs.25 The rising demand for industrial robots
has been triggered by the workforce shortage, owing to the COVID-19-related lockdowns and an
upgrade of traditional industries.26

The global Industrial Robotics Market is majorly driven by an increase in labor costs worldwide,
leading manufacturers to replace human labor with machines. Asia and Europe are the key growth
regions, with prominent robotics developers being ABB, Fanuc, KUKA, Kawasaki, and the Yaskawa
Electric Corporation.The global robotics market size grew from $69.55 billion in 2021 to $87.6
billion in 2022 at a CAGR of 25.9%.27 Looking out to 2026, this number will steadily expand to
$187.46 billion at a CAGR of 20.9%. In terms of the global industrial robotics market size, it was
valued at $32.32 billion in 2021 and is predicted to reach $88.55 billion by 2030 with a CAGR of
12.1% from 2022 to 2030.28

THE GLOBAL ROBOTICS MARKET SIZE GREW FROM $69.55 BILLION IN 2021
TO $87.6 BILLION IN 2022 AT A CAGR OF 25.9%.29 LOOKING OUT TO 2026, THIS
NUMBER WILL STEADILY EXPAND TO $187.46 BILLION AT A CAGR OF 20.9%.

Today, there are several significant well-funded automated robot investments. GeekPlus worth
$389 million, GreyOrange worth $170 million, and HIK Vision worth $6 billion in revenue have
emerged, achieving promisingly rapid growth.30 Despite the large deployments already, the global
peak point is expected to hit around 2024. More than 1 million autonomous mobile robots will
be sold cumulatively between 2020 and 2030.31 During the 12-month period up to March 2021,
venture capital firms invested $6.3 billion into robotics companies, which is up nearly 50% from
what they invested a year earlier. 32 Industrial robotics firms garnered $1.9 billion of that funding.
This suggests that firms that serve factories and warehouses are recipients of nearly one-third of
total venture and generate more interest from venture investors.

THE GLOBAL INDUSTRIAL ROBOTICS MARKET SIZE WAS VALUED AT $32.32

BILLION IN 2021 AND IS PREDICTED TO REACH $88.55 BILLION BY 2030 WITH A
CAGR OF 12.1% FROM 2022 TO 2030.33

Among all sectors, robotics utilized for service purposes are expected to experience the fastest
growth.34 The trend of investment in mobile robotic companies seeking to automate the
movement of goods within warehouses, fulfillment centers, and manufacturing facilities continues
to rise.35 More specifically, in e-commerce, the need for automated warehouses is increasing,
spearheaded by Kiva and Mobile Industrial Robots (MiR). Service robot technology allowed
Amazon, from 2012 onwards, to boost the productivity of the latest generation of its product
fulfillment centers.The robot fleet is estimated to have increased at an approximate rate of about
15 thousand per year, recently reaching over a total of 100 thousand units.36 The medical use
service robot market is also expanding, where in 2020 it recorded over 12,000 units worldwide

118
from 9,000 units the year prior.37 The total global medical robotics market will reach $ 30.41
billion in 2027 from $9.69 billion in 2021, growing at a CAGR of 21%.38

THE TOTAL GLOBAL MEDICAL ROBOTICS MARKET WILL REACH $ 30.41

BILLION IN 2027 FROM $9.69 BILLION IN 2021, GROWING AT A CAGR OF 21%.39

In the longer term, robotics investments have soared more than five-fold over the last half-decade,
to $5.4 billion in 2020 from $1 billion in 2015.The number of firms that attracted investment
reached 269, up from 169.40 Meanwhile, industrial robotics investments have gone up to $1.9
billion from just $300 million in the same period, with the number of startups getting funded
hitting 68, up from 48.41 Prominent firm names among these include Locus Robotics,Tiger Global,
Bond, Outrider, Neocis, and AMP Robotics.The market for mobile robots, drones, and autonomous
vehicles in delivery and warehousing is likely to reach a staggering $81 and $290 billion in 2030 and
2040, respectively.42 Along these lines, the global market for agricultural robots – which can also be
designed to perform tasks such as seeding, harvesting, and environmental monitoring – is predicted
to increase from $5.4 billion in 2020 to more than $20 billion by 2026.43

THE MARKET FOR MOBILE ROBOTS, DRONES, AND AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES

IN DELIVERY AND WAREHOUSING IS LIKELY TO REACH A STAGGERING
$81 AND $290 BILLION IN 2030 AND 2040, RESPECTIVELY.44

In August 2020, Shanghai SK Automation Technology Co., which provides intelligent equipment for
automotive manufacturers, raised RMB 733.14 million for their robotics tech.45 Alibaba upgraded
to robotic labor in one of its warehouses, drastically reducing the labor workforce by 70%.46
Automation could result in a net increase of 58 million jobs and add 5%, or $1.2 trillion, to US
GDP in the next five years.47 The largest contributor to the Global Robotics Market is Asia-Pacific,
with 35.27% value share in 2020. China is the largest contributing country in the region with
42.73% shares in 2020, followed by South Korea, Japan, and India.48 In June 2020, China’s industrial
robot production increased by 29.2% year-on-year, reaching 20,761 units in the first half of 2020.

Over
$17 billion $168.6
poured into
VC-backed
$42.4 billion
billion expected
robotic global robotics service
startups industry size in robotics
in 2021, 2022.50 market size
nearly triple by 2028.51
the 2020
investment.49

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 ROBOTICS FOR GOOD
There is an increasing trend of progressive companies adopting robotics to achieve both business
growth and sustainable societal benefits. From scientific advancements and breakthroughs to
solving complex problems, robots are generating millions of new skilled jobs and improving
working conditions.They are creating a better world. Industries and companies are finding ways
to utilize robots to improve their processes, thus allowing businesses to be more efficient and
improve sustainability efforts across sectors. Robots in today’s world are helping to fight climate
change, manage recycling initiatives, streamline healthcare, enhance manufacturing, and more.52

We have examples of the robotics industry combating global warming and natural resource
protection through business practices. SkyGrow, for instance, has developed the Growbot that
plants trees at a rate ten times faster than the manual process and reduces tree-planting costs
and labor by around half.53 Another innovative company, Urban Rivers, developed an autonomous
trash robot that floats along the Chicago River.This tech innovation keeps the water clean, while
preserving the river’s plant and animal life.54 Similarly, Ocean One, a humanoid robot developed
by the Stanford Robotics Lab, explores the ocean without disrupting it and collects samples as
effectively as a diver.55

ROBOTS FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

In climate-related applications for good, robotics is bringing effective solutions. Green robots help
mitigate climate change and lead us into a better future. Combining robots with other advanced
technologies maximizes sustainability efforts that help reduce global warming impacts. Businesses
employing green robotics technology bring financial benefits while also helping conserve the planet:

Sustainable agriculture: Green robots can simplify agricultural practices by helping automate and
carry out environment-friendly tasks with utmost efficiency. Fighting wildfires that destroy plant
and animal species and adversely affect human health and infrastructure is a prime example.The US
alone witnesses an average of 100,000 wildfires annually.56 Robots armed with fire extinguishers
and water propelling agents can be leveraged to swiftly contain wildfires and help avoid risking the
lives of firefighters.

Waste management: GPS and AI-enabled garbage collection robots can carry out household and
industrial waste removal.These robots collect data through attached sensors with AI algorithms
that determine the optimal route and process to minimize environmental impact.This robotics-
enabled garbage collection process results in minimum use of resources and reduces CO2
emissions. Robots used for ocean cleanup work to contain the harmful effects of oil drilling and
ocean spills. A robot has already been designed that ingests microbes in the ocean and converts
it into energy.57 It can operate continuously for months and can generate more energy than it
consumes, reducing the impact of oil leakages and helping remove chemicals from rivers and seas.

Robotics has proven to be critical in the recycling of material waste from all sectors. Robots make
a significant difference when programmed to sort recycled products into categories depending
on the materials. Recycling robots can make approximately 2,000 correct material picks per hour
compared to humans making about 800 picks per hour.58 The sorting robot at the Recon Services
recycling plant in Austin,Texas has two arms with “smart grippers.” It has increased the recycling
rate by up to 70%.59 These impressive pneumatic60 arms are programmed to separate and pick
different kinds of materials, including plastics, based on polymer, color, shape, and size.
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Apple also employs robots in its recycling process of discarded iPhones.Their robot, named Daisy,
picks out reusable pieces from old iPhones and repurposes them for other products. Reducing
waste and saving valuable resources, Daisy pulls apart over one million iPhones per year at a rate
of about 200 per hour.61

“WE BELIEVE TECHNOLOGY UNLOCKS CONSTRAINTS IN THE WASTE

INDUSTRY, AND USE IT—NAMELY, ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE AND
ROBOTICS—TO PURSUE OUR MISSION.”62 - AMP ROBOTICS

Robots are becoming significant in the manufacturing sector by enabling companies to become
more sustainable through waste and energy reduction. Approximately 60% of manufacturers are
using robotics to help them increase productivity, efficiency, and product quality.63 Robots also
aid businesses in their energy-saving processes because they do not require as much energy to
operate as humans do.Where humans need facilities with sufficient lighting and heat, robots can
work under cold and dark conditions.This drastically reduces the amount of energy used in the
manufacturing production process. It is estimated that swapping robots for humans can result in
8% to 20% of energy savings.64

Robots see an increasing role in healthcare, where support robots used to deliver medical supplies
around hospitals are becoming more commonplace. Surgical robots, such as da Vinci, are gaining
prominence.Thousands of surgeons around the world have been trained in da Vinci systems and
have completed more than seven million surgical procedures.65 Going beyond medical procedures
and services, robots made to benefit health and wellbeing are assisting patients recover and rehab.
The Phoenix exoskeleton by SuitX, for example, has enabled people paralyzed from the waist down
to walk again.66

IN 2020, THE MEDICAL USE SERVICE ROBOTS MARKET RECORDED OVER

12,000 UNITS WORLDWIDE.67

Playing a crucial role in the battle against COVID-19, robots are making a difference. Many hospitals
worldwide are currently using robots to aid healthcare staff and patients. Not only do robots have
the potential for disinfecting areas, administering medications, and measuring vital signs, but they
are also assisting border controls and delivering food. Self-driving Danish disinfection robot UVD
shipped to several hospitals in China to help fight the coronavirus.68 Manufactured by Denmark’s
Blue Ocean Robotics, these robots played a key role in controlling the virus in Wuhan.

The tech can also be used for societal good in the form of emotional and educational support.
With social isolation and other societal challenges pervading, robots are a safe way to fill in where
human interaction is sometimes impossible or unsafe. Robots For Good is an example of a project
for five to 12-year-old children to connect with their friends during the pandemic’s social isolation.
To solve this challenge, the Robots for Good group at Yale University developed an application, and
later a robot named Vector, that allows children to play remotely using an inexpensive, commercial
robot.This development enables a child in one home to use a phone or tablet to take control
and become the robot in another child’s home through the robot’s camera.69 There are several
hundred thousand Vector robots in the US, and many are still available from online retailers.The
software was released through the Apple AppStore and Google Play, making it instantly available to
tens of thousands of existing robot owners.

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22 IN BUSINESS
RETHINK ROBOTICS70
Initiative: Sawyer
Headquarters: Bochum, Germany

Rethink Robotics, part of the Hahn Group, has introduced the Sawyer robot de-
signed to work on production lines alongside humans.71 Human operators can re-
program Sawyer by moving its arms into desired configurations, simulating teaching
a child.This collaborative robot (cobot) is easy to train and retrain, as well as quick
to deploy.The newest iteration, Sawyer BLACK Edition, contributes to a quieter
work environment, has a robot arm with seven degrees of freedom, and a range of
1,260 millimeters.72 Sawyer can also be used where there is no space for human
employees. Its use applications include tasks that are dangerous or monotonous
for humans such as machine assembly, circuit board assembly, metal processing,
injection molding, packaging, loading and unloading, as well as tests and inspections
(SDGs 3,9).

This cobot solution is ready for use immediately after delivery and equipped with
the powerful Intera software and two camera systems. Sawyer is ideal for machine
tending, picking and placing, light packaging, and inspection.The robot works well
both autonomously and around people (SDGs 10,12). Sawyer’s solutions help
reduce the repetitive, mundane, and less desirable tasks performed by humans, so
they can up-skill and take on higher-value work within the company (SDGs 8, 11).
This approach is truly for good as it leads to greater productivity, reduced turnover,
and increased customer satisfaction.73

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ROBOTICS PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS
Robotics and automation will disrupt all areas of society. Partnering with AI, over the next 50 years,
robots will likely have as much impact on our world as the Internet and mainstream IT has had
over the last five decades. Subsequently, future generations will grow up as the first in daily contact
with these technologies – “Generation ‘R’” or “Robotic Natives” – and will often rely on the
development of digital technologies.74 Robotics could also play a key role in the implementation of
international strategies to help shape the recovery and rebuild society and the economy more
sustainably.

ZERO HUNGER
Modern robotics technologies can revolutionize farming with applications of outdoor
agriculture robotics including aerial imaging, spraying, weeding, and harvesting. In
the management of farm animals, such as dairy cattle, pigs, and chickens, robotic
intervention of data could help reduce waste and pollution while boosting animal
welfare and farm productivity. Robots can also make agriculture more environmentally friendly. As
an example, they can be used to detect chemical levels in the soil. Robots attached with sensors
and computer vision determine the optimum time for picking up fruits and vegetables, therefore
aiding with crop harvest. Livestock farming benefits from robots when used for milking cows or
managing a herd of domesticated animals. By analyzing the data, the optimum levels of fertilizers
can be determined for maximum productivity. Other robots will automate tasks such as planting,
sowing, and watering rapidly, precisely, and efficiently.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Emerging assistive technologies, including cognitive robotics, have vast potential to
enhance lives by enabling patients with disabilities to function more independently.75
Surgical and medical robots can change the standard of care for many diseases.
The COVID-19 pandemic boosted the market for professional service robots
with high demand for robotics disinfection solutions in medical applications. Humanoid robots
donated by Silicon Valley company CloudMinds Technology measure temperatures, deliver food
and medicine, and entertain medical staff and patients. 76 The increasing number of medical robot
systems-assisted surgeries is further accelerating the product innovation rate. For instance,
Danish tech company Life Science Robotics developed and launched a rehabilitation robot called
Robert. It helps health professionals with bed-ridden patients, reducing the dependence on nurses
for necessary actions such as heavy lifting.77 Robert is installed in leading spinal cord centers,
rehabilitation centers, and clinics in large municipalities in Denmark, Germany, Hong Kong, Malaysia,
and the US.

QUALITY EDUCATION
Robots are highly interdisciplinary and provide an education platform for experiential
and challenge-based learning. An educational robot is “a learning support tool that
uses realistic educational simulations to facilitate skill acquisition in students of
all age groups.”78 Robots used for educational purposes deliver content based on
all major science and humanities subjects. Owing to this, these robots find extensive application
across academic establishments such as special-education institutes, schools, and colleges offering
higher education. Robots can also be a useful language-teaching medium. Softbank Robotics
programmed a robot called Robin and succeeded in teaching young children vocabulary of a
second language – English language to Dutch students – using social robots.

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 DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH
Through automation and productivity improvements, robotics will create more
high-paying jobs by taking over traditionally lower-paying and less skill-intensive
jobs.This paves the way for manual laborers to learn and apply for more advanced
positions. Ordering warehouses like Amazon use robots for tasks such as sorting and
packing, which leads to efficient and rapid results. Being lightweight, easily programmable, and easily
integrable with existing software systems, these “order-picking bots” are increasingly becoming a
necessity in warehouses. Industry group MHI uses robots for more dangerous work, as opposed to
simpler tasks, so that their employees can engage in higher-level and safer tasks. 79 Because robots
come in a wide range of models with reach distance and load capacity, they help save workers from
harm. Improving commercial cleaning as a sustainability measure using robotics is also a task these
machines can facilitate. Sealed Air and ThingLogix, along with D6 Labs, developed a robotic solution
that collects usage data for monitoring handwashing.80 Staff is notified when soap levels are low
and when to replenish stock, resulting in a leaner and less wasteful inventory process which has
saved over $50,000. 81

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Smart technologies and robotics will become a viable alternative to industrial
manufacturing processes. Not only can robots increase productivity, efficiency, and
profit margins, but they also pave the way for industries to transition to a more
sustainable future. AI and other technological advances will enhance innovations in
human-to-robot interactions. Rapidly developing technological breakthroughs involving machine
intelligence, connectivity, and control will enable expanded robot capabilities and scope while
simplifying human-to-robot interactions. Developing robots to handle unsupervised or unexpected
situations will increase the flexibility of mobile robots to share and alter tasks on location for
enhanced autonomous inspections, analysis, and movements in all industries.

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Robots assist in precision manufacturing and production on demand, increasing
flexibility and reducing waste and energy consumption. Moreover, they monitor
environments, remotely inspect and maintain renewable-energy plants and power
lines, improve deforestation-tracking methods, and fight wildfires. An Israeli startup
has developed a robotic beehive to minimize the risk of bee colonies collapsing since bees are
endangered and crucial for the environment.The hive, called Beewise, is roughly the size of a cargo
trailer and houses 24 colonies. It is equipped with a robotic arm that slides between honeycombs
with computer vision and cameras.The machine inspects colonies for disease, monitoring for
pesticides and reporting in real-time any hazards that threaten the colony.This robotic solution
assists in mitigating damages to beehives that harm honey production. Beewise has already raised
$40 million of funding from private investors, and over 100 of its systems are in use in Israel and
the US.82

LIFE ON LAND
Robots can collect forest data and measure light reflected from plants, which enables
scientists to sample the vegetation’s functional diversity and evolutionary history.
Various robots have been developed with the capability to dig, seed, water plants, and
monitor the environment.To assist in land management, environmental and disaster
monitoring, scientists have been working to create flying robotic vehicles the size of insects. An
example is of “RoboBee X-wing” which, at half the weight of a paper clip, has achieved untethered
flight using ultra-lightweight solar cells.83 Further, SMP Robotics is focused on developing the
concept of a rover series, which will be used to scout and mine on the surface of the Moon.84 The
project is economically feasible and will help lower the price of space travel to Mars and other
planets in the solar system.
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ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
The robotics industry has revolutionized business models and is on the precipice of enabling
economic growth on a global scale. Just as AI assists humans in intellectual tasks, robotics tech
innovations such as exoskeleton robots help people perform more physical tasks.85 The immense
impact of this technology will be felt in business on both mainstream corporate and small-scale
startup operations. Robots will undoubtedly enable many disruptive business models.The robots
as a service (RaaS) business model is thriving. A combination of cloud computing, AI, robotics, and
shared services, RaaS is a unique model.The robotics industry includes several companies offering
RaaS business models. From mobile telepresence robots used for security to mobile robots for
healthcare, many robotics suppliers are expanding their business offerings. RaaS enables them
all to lower the technical and financial barriers to implementation and deployment, presenting a
compelling value proposition for users and a game-changing strategy for robotics companies.

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Figure 4
Number of RaaS companies in 2022 by industry, derived from Apera.86

This figure is sufficient to suggest the worldwide usage of the RaaS model is a growing tech
business trend. Key market players include KUKA AG, Parrot SA, Lely International, DJI, Northrop
Grumman, Intuitive Surgical, Inc., Aethon Inc., Kongberg Maritime AS, Honda Motor Co. Ltd., and
iRobot Corporation. Dangerous, life-threatening, and labor-intensive tasks will be replaced by
robots accelerating digitization. Profound implications will follow, radically transforming markets
and at the same time changing the future of work. A market has hit its automation tipping point
(ATP) when a RaaS solution is introduced with a unit cost less than or equal to the unit cost
for humans to conduct the same task.87 RaaS already affects industries all over the world, and
their ATP as robots in crop-dusting ($70 billion), industrial cleaning ($78 billion), and warehouse
management ($21 billion) cause total disruption.88

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 ZERO HUNGER
ƒ Enable agriculture to be more cost-effective and sustainable by
monitoring fields and managing weeds and herbicides.
ƒ Improve farm productivity in areas where urbanization has
affected rural populations.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING QUALITY EDUCATION

ƒ Allow medical care and access to ƒ Provide accessible education to all.
doctors in remote or underprivileged ƒ Implement high-level instruction
areas. for a wide range of students
ƒ Help avoid injuries through automation of all ages.
for dangerous work.
ƒ Improve quality of life for people with
limited mobility, using exoskeletons.

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 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ƒ Improve the efficiency of production in time, funds, and
resources by implementing next-generation robotics.
ƒ Support less developed countries to automate at lower
market entry costs by creating comprehensive business
structures.

DECENT WORK AND ROBOTICS RESPONSIBLE

CONSUMPTION AND
ECONOMIC GROWTH
ƒ Augment the PRODUCTION
workforce by allotting ƒ Enhance monitoring of
simple and repetitive environmental impacts
tasks to robots. of farming operations
ƒ Shift employment and reduce the use of
offerings and types of excess water, herbicide,
work, creating more and fertilizer.
thought-provoking ƒ Augment manufacturing
work and fewer processes with
manual labor jobs. automated design and
precision robotics.

LIFE ON LAND
ƒ Provide support for land management and
biodiversity protection.
ƒ Develop innovative natural processes for plant
and animal life.

127
 The enterprise building security market has already reached its ATP.Traditionally, humans have
conducted office security, but robotics is enhancing this service. Cobalt Robotics hopes to
change the security business with its platform, facilitating companies to replace guards with a 65%
cheaper security robot.89 For example, instead of manning a building with three to four people,
businesses would employ one human to manage a few remote robots. Moreover, the data and
insights collected via these robots will be beneficial. Not only does this enhance business models in
terms of being cheaper for labor, but it is also better from logistical and safety standpoints.When
companies drive increased efficiency and productivity, they make better products or provide better
services.This value is passed along to consumers, employees, and shareholders.

THE RAAS INDUSTRY VALUE IS ESTIMATED TO SURPASS AROUND $44

BILLION BY 2028, EXPANDING AT A CAGR OF 16.5% BETWEEN 2022 AND
2028.90

Delivery services are becoming staffed mainly by autonomous robots. Crucial to enhancing this
business model will be tech companies requiring practice data to draw on to improve their
delivery and navigation algorithms.They can then operate increasingly larger robot fleets in
complex environments with high-speed demands. Autonomous robots are also automating tedious
work in retail stores.These robotic solutions are being offered as automated data acquisition
tools, capturing data about items on the shelves with higher speed and accuracy than humans.
Robots collecting data will have a beneficial impact on the retailer’s bottom line, be it higher stock
availability, better stock positioning on shelves, or leaner inventories.Thus, data-centric service-
oriented robotic models are high-value business propositions.

ROBOTS COLLECTING DATA WILL HAVE A BENEFICIAL IMPACT ON THE

RETAILER’S BOTTOM LINE, BE IT HIGHER STOCK AVAILABILITY, BETTER
STOCK POSITIONING ON SHELVES, OR LEANER INVENTORIES.

Autonomous mobile robots are developed to perform various security-related tasks as well, for
indoor, outdoor, and even rugged terrain operations. Some versions are equipped with more than
50 onboard sensors and deployed wherever security and monitoring are required. Companies like
Ople.ai and SMP Robotics are at the forefront of this risk-reducing use of AI and robotics for good.
SMP Robotics has become a leading provider of outdoor security robots and advanced monitoring
solutions. Since its inception, the company has been instrumental in facilitating robots to improve
the operational business processes of their clients.91 SMP Robotics’ security robot models cover
restricted areas by patrolling a facility’s perimeter and premises.These autonomous robots drive
safety through intercommunication, resulting in cost-effective robotics solutions for large-scale and
expansive facilities.

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GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Robots offer a wide range of tools to enable the Global Goals. Performing search and rescue
missions in case of natural disasters or delivering food in dangerous zones, robots reduce the
impact of such catastrophes.They can monitor environmental changes in air, land, and water,
allowing for better understanding and preservation of ecosystems. Robots promise an increase
in the overall productivity in industries as well as on farms.They also improve access to
transportation and healthcare, as well as boost the quality of life for the differently-abled. Let us
now study the social developmental impact of robots in the four large domains: healthcare and
wellbeing; education and learning; biodiversity recovery, environmental protection, and precision
agriculture; and manufacturing and shipping.

IMPROVING HEALTHCARE AND WELLBEING

From surgical applications to medication delivery, robotic healthcare solutions today provide
several benefits. Robotic surgery improves surgical precision that contributes to safer procedures
and quicker patient healing times. For instance, Swiss medical-device startup Distalmotion created
its own surgical robot named Dexter. 92 As an open platform compatible with all laparoscopic
technology and access to all instruments, Dexter allows operating teams to seamlessly switch
between laparoscopic and robotic surgery at any time. Further, Dexter’s open platform ensures
rapid access to future technologies.93 Google too has been working to create a surgical robot
system with pharma giant Johnson&Johnson since 2015.94

THE TUG HAS BECOME COMMONPLACE IN HOSPITALS AND MAKES OVER

50,000 DELIVERIES EACH WEEK IN OVER 140 HOSPITALS IN THE US.95

As Aethon’s version of a medical assistant, the TUG autonomous mobile delivery robot carries up
to 453 kilograms in the form of medications, laboratory specimens, or other sensitive materials.96
This means hospital staff can focus on other, more challenging assignments.The TUG has become
commonplace in hospitals and makes over 50,000 deliveries each week in over 140 hospitals in the
US.97 Robotics are also playing a role in the protection of people from COVID-19. Since robots are
immune to infection, they can efficiently replace humans for menial jobs. In China, robots from the
catering industry have been placed in over 40 hospitals. 98 They clean the hospital to prevent the
spread of the virus and save lives. Danish robotics company Odense UVD Robots also deployed
hundreds of robots to Wuhan, Rome, and Veneto to help fight the COVID-19 infection.

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23 IN BUSINESS
BLUE OCEAN ROBOTICS99
Initiative: UVD Robots disinfecting hospitals
Headquarters: Odense, Denmark

Healthcare associated infections are a significant and increasing problem in the

global healthcare sector. Each year millions of patients are infected, and thousands
of patients die due to infections acquired during hospitalization.100 Furthermore,
these infections generate massive financial implications. UVD Robots are working
to address this challenge and they are already operational in more than 40 coun-
tries.

One example where they have been very beneficial is in China during the COV-
ID-19 pandemic. More than 2,000 Chinese hospitals and medical facilities received
and made use of UVD robots (SDG 3).101 “The UVD Robot will kill the corona-
virus, as it has a proven efficacy against MERS CoV and MHV-A59, showing over 6
log reductions in viral particles within 30 minutes … the robot is much smarter
and more cost-effective than what’s available in the market today” explains UVD
spokesperson Camilla Harkjær Frederiksen.102

Every UVD Robot is equipped with lidar.When first deploying the robot, a user
guides it around via computer, entering information the robot stores in its system
on which areas need disinfecting (SDGs 9,12). As the robot scans the rooms or
area, it creates a digital map for itself to be autonomous. Once all information is
stored, the robot uses simultaneous localization and mapping for navigation. It can
self-navigate from the charging station, disinfect the rooms, and return to its resting
place all on its own.The robot can detect using sensors if a human is present and
will shut down the UV lights until the area is clear.

Some of UVD Robots’ defining features include that they stand 5’6” tall (171 cm),
2’1” wide (66 cm), and 3 feet deep (93 cm); they move at speeds of 5.4 km/h or
3.3 mph; disinfect with a 360-degree radius, killing 99.99% of bacteria within 10
minutes; for each 90-minute charge, they can disinfect 9 or 10 rooms; robots are
equipped with an emergency button and software and sensor-based safety features;
and each robot costs $80,000 to $90,000 which eliminates the need for several
human laborers’ salaries (SDG 8).103

130
Robots have the potential to help keep people safe and secure, which is paramount to global
wellbeing. Rescuing severely wounded soldiers under fire is an example of addressing a major cause
of military death and traumatic injury. Reportedly, up to 86% of battlefield deaths occur within
the first 30 minutes post-injury.104 To counter this, life-saving training techniques and treatments,
and more recently, robotic surgical systems (RSS), have been developed to provide battlefield
casualty extraction.These robots are critical when performing life-saving interventions and aiding
in physiological monitoring to reduce incidence. RSS ensures less blood loss during the procedure,
less pain after the procedure, and a shorter hospital stay.105 The level of dexterity is higher, and
doctors can operate in tiny spaces inside the body that would otherwise require open surgery.

UP TO 86% OF BATTLEFIELD DEATHS OCCUR WITHIN THE FIRST 30 MINUTES

POST-INJURY.106 ROBOTIC SURGICAL SYSTEMS (RSS) HELP LOWER THIS
NUMBER BY PROVIDING BATTLEFIELD CASUALTY EXTRACTION.

Robotic surgery results in smaller incisions, which reduce pain and scarring, leading to quicker
recovery times.107 Robotic procedures offer the surgeon an enhanced visual field with HD cameras
that provide a magnified view. Employing arms that can rotate a full 360 degrees, surgeons can
operate in a way that would be impossible without the robot.The emotional and psychological
wellbeing of global populations of all ages is also essential. Companionship and communication for
children can include social robots as pets.The robot dog Aibo offers a fun home companion who
can learn from his environment and the child’s habits to adapt to the home and family.108 Kids can
shake the smartphone to bring him running at the sound of treats, have him do tricks, or send him
on “Puppy Patrol” to find someone on the platform’s People of Interest registry.

THE UN PROJECTS THAT THE GLOBAL POPULATION AGED 65 AND OVER WILL
GROW BY 181%, ACCOUNTING FOR 16% OF THE WORLD POPULATION, BY
2050. THIS ALLOWS FOR SIGNIFICANT GROWTH FOR ROBOTS IN DOMESTIC
HEALTHCARE AND ASSISTANCE APPLICATIONS.109

In Japan, BOCCO is a communication robot that helps parents send text and voice messages to
deliver to their kids. 110 As an additional bonus, BOCCO is continuously being developed for more
features and is adorably cute! Social robots evidently reduce loneliness and feelings of isolation in
the elderly and people with dementia. Dementia patients home alone or in residential care settings
can use robots as support staff. In the coming decade, the amount of vulnerable older adults will
rise. Reports from the Netherlands claim there will be a 25% increase in elderly who experience
growing feelings of loneliness, rising more due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which will have a
detrimental impact on physical and mental health.Therefore, innovations are taking place in the
healthcare and wellness industry within robotics to mitigate these issues.

Stockholm-based Furhat Robotics is innovating a robot to combat social isolation with

conversational intelligence.111 It is a device that possesses human-like features and makes a great
social companion through its ability to speak, listen, maintain eye contact, and express emotive
facial gestures. An exciting feature of this tech solution is its animated yet realistic face. Benefits of
using social robots include their constant availability and, unlike human caregivers, their calm and
patient temperament.They neither judge nor have prejudice, which can greatly assist those who
feel lonely, isolated, or are unable to talk about their true feelings with other people. Furhat can
change its facial appearance to a character of varying ages and adapt to conversations to respond
to the individual’s needs. It can also alter the pitch and intonation of its voice along with vocabulary
to customize the interaction. In addition to Furhat, a social robot named Alice is innovating to
provide robotics tech solutions for social wellbeing.

131
24 IN BUSINESS
DELOITTE IMPACT FOUNDATION112 AND VRIJE UNIVERSITEIT113
Initiative: Alice the social robot
Headquarters: Amsterdam, Netherlands

Alice, the social robot, plays many roles including an assistant for caretakers and
a friend for the elderly (SDGs 3,10).The development of this robot, supported by
collaboration between the Deloitte Impact Foundation and Vrije Universiteit, took
two years (SDGs 9,17). Alice aims to relieve loneliness and improve the quality of
life for the elderly.114 The secluded and lonely older adults residing in care homes
often miss social interaction and struggle with using new technologies.They can
have a difficult time adjusting to tech and are dependent on an instruction manual
or a caretaker helping them. Alice supports the elderly by engaging in tasks such
as giving them reminders of their upcoming activities or dialing their relatives and
friends (SDG 16).These are examples of functionalities that motivate the elderly
to feel more settled and content. Alice can also support the user by serving as
a listener, asking them personal questions. She also has the capability to be pro-
grammed for personalization through the Alice App. She can play songs, narrate the
weather forecast, and read the daily news.

132
INNOVATING EDUCATION AND LEARNING
Robotics used in education will continue to be in high demand internationally, driven in part by
schools’ continued emphasis on STEM and digital learning.The $1.3 billion international robotics
education market is set to grow to $3.1 billion by 2025.115 The field is not only expected to
continue to grow in STEM and coding areas, but is also on track to provide applications in language
learning and special education.We witnessed companies like Sphero merging with LittleBits and
reaching combined sales amounting to $500 million in 2019; their products reached over six million
students across 35,000 schools globally.116 Moreover, robot tech companies that don’t traditionally
operate in the education sector are making moves in that direction as well. For example, Chinese
drone manufacturer DJI and Texas Instruments recently moved into the educational space with
robotics offerings.117

THE $1.3 BILLION INTERNATIONAL ROBOTICS EDUCATION MARKET IS SET TO

GROW TO $3.1 BILLION BY 2025.118

In Greenville,Texas,VEX Robotics aims to interest students in STEM by teaching them to build and
program robots. Its annual VEX Robotics Competition hosts primary school through college ages
worldwide who compete in robotic construction, design, and programming.119 To allow students
to explore STEM education more thoroughly, Shape Robotics developed the Fable robot. Fable is
a modular construction system that students can creatively use to make their own robot in just
a few minutes. Being an open-ended system with advanced functionality, Fable is easily accessed
across a range of subjects, allowing students to gain skills they will need in the 21st century.120

When remote learning became widespread during the 2020 coronavirus pandemic, robots stepped
in to fill some of the gaps in education. Several innovative robots and tech companies came forth
and helped the robotics generation. Important examples of robots in tech education include:

Miko 3: An adorable little robot that can hear, speak, and relate to children using a variety of
speakers, algorithms, and cues from the child. 121 Miko 3 is also programmed to help kids learn,
imparting knowledge and skills that are right for their age.
Owl: Owl is a smarter video conference camera that gives teachers the ability to better re-create
a classroom experience even when their students are remote.122 Owl can swivel and move to
follow a teacher around a room.
Wigl: This tech solution combines music education with STEM training, spiking attraction towards
STEM.123 The little bug-looking robot dances based on the musical notes it hears. Children can
learn the connection between their actions and the robot’s movements by making it wiggle as they
play a song or sing to it.

Perhaps one of the most innovative and globally recognized innovations for integrating child play
and learning is Denmark’s toy-maker LEGO. During the first half of 2020, LEGO’s sales rose 14%
compared to 2019, with its operating profit rising 11% to $622 million.124 This growth was in large
part due to the remote learning structure of the pandemic.

133
25 IN BUSINESS
LEGO125
Initiative: LEGO Education
Headquarters: Billund, Denmark

LEGO contributes with co-ed learning through play to build kids’ socio-emotional
needs in the world of virtual and hybrid learning (SDGs 4,5,10). LEGO Education
SPIKE Prime App is a make-your-own robots coding, problem-solving, and creative
design teaching platform.126 Children as well as adults can play with these innova-
tive toy bricks, simultaneously learning essential skills in science, technology, and
innovation.These products use bricks, programming tools, and supporting lesson
plans to help kids develop their communication, and critical thinking skills in a fun
and exciting way. “We have worked hard to make LEGO Education solutions, like
our newest product SPIKE Prime, approachable for anyone, no matter what their
background is with coding and programming,” expressed Siddharth Muthyala, Senior
Concept Lead for LEGO Education.127

As part of this educational business endeavor, LEGO robot-building toys help kids
learn to code while having fun (SDGs 9,12). No matter the hobby or interest of
a child, these little bricks serve as relevant entry points to robotics and program-
ming.128 Whether they like kittens, music, or remote-controlled cars, all users will
be inspired to create a robot that reflects their unique personality and interests
by using speech, songs, sounds, lights, movements, and interactions.The company’s
annual revenues surpass $5 billion and in 2015 it was named the “most powerful”
brand in the world.129

134
Higher education institutions are now heavily implementing robotics and tech learning into their
curriculums. Resultantly, the field of Mechatronics Engineering has emerged to develop the best
possible robotic design while seamlessly merging mechanical and electronics knowledge.We
have university graduates shaping the future by building biomedical robotic devices, rehabilitation
robots, service robots, smart vehicles, and autonomous farm equipment.130 The Misty II robot by
Misty Robotics is also partnering with universities for education and research purposes.131 She
offers opportunities to engage with cutting-edge technologies such as AI, Machine Learning, and
Computer Vision. Misty is highly accessible, enabling students and faculty to learn coding and
building skills through robot applications.

A prime example of robots in the realm of higher education has emerged thanks to the University
of Southern Denmark. It combines education with robotics to study business models that solve
some of the world’s biggest challenges.

UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN DENMARK132

The University of Southern Denmark (SDU) has integrated the SDGs into the foundation of its
structure.The focus at SDU Robotics is on:

SDG 3: Securing a healthy life for all and promoting the wellbeing of all.
In the medical area, an online learning platform is provided for grading medical images, access to
training and development materials to medical workforces present in areas with poor access. SDU
helps save lives in Denmark and globally by reducing the spread of infectious diseases with a robot
that takes throat swabs. SDU also facilitates better hand sanitization in public spaces using socially
interactive hand disinfection devices.

SDG 8: Promoting persistent, inclusive, and sustainable economic growth through employment
for all. Collaborative robots will enable unskilled workers to be more comfortable in highly
automated environments. SDU studies prove that robots create new jobs, and hence contribute to
employment.

SDG 9: Building robust infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and
supporting innovation.By providing digitally supported robotic services, SDU offers new possibilities
for innovation in general.The university also supports industrial development on a global scale.

135
 REINFORCING BIODIVERSITY RECOVERY,
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AND AGRICULTURE
The amount of land available for organisms on Earth to share is diminishing. Factors such as
increased soil erosion and rising global sea levels are spurring a need to mitigate these large-
scale environmental problems. Such loss of ecosystem services among terrains is a major driver
of climate change and is estimated to cost up to $10 trillion annually.133 Robots are aiding in
these mitigation efforts.They are reducing the time- and cost-intensive use of heavy machinery
to build massive environmental protection structures like dams and retaining walls. Harvard’s
Wyss Institute’s Bioinspired Robotics Platform is experimenting with using a “swarm” of robots
for environmental restoration.They can use sheet piles to form check dams along shore fronts,
riverbeds, and other vulnerable ecosystems to prevent erosion, reduce flash flooding, and promote
groundwater recharge.

LOSS OF ECOSYSTEM SERVICES AMONG TERRAINS IS A MAJOR DRIVER

OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND IS ESTIMATED TO COST UP TO $10 TRILLION
ANNUALLY.134 ROBOTS ARE AIDING IN THESE MITIGATION EFFORTS.

The design is inspired by termites and ants that collectively build structures many times larger
than themselves and has resulted in a sheet-pile-driving robot called Romu.135 Other automation
coming out of the Wyss Institute includes robots that help tackle ocean creatures considered
“biofouling” species like barnacles, mussels, algae, and sponges.The US Navy alone spends
approximately $1 billion per year on antifouling efforts.136 Energy efficiency-based robots like the
Row-Bot have also emerged. Invented at Bristol University in the U.K, Row-Bot walks on water
and gets its energy by eating the microbes in dirty ponds and “digesting” them in its artificial
stomach.137 This helps it propel itself on the hunt for more bacteria to feed its nature-inspired
engine.

The world of lizards, too, has also inspired active development and technological advances in
robotics. A team of scientists from Ben-Gurion University in Beersheba, Israel, has developed
AmphiSTAR, a high-speed robot whose motion comes from observing the actions of basilisk
lizards.138 The machine is capable of crawling rapidly across rough terrain, swimming, and even
climbing over rippling pond waves.This little robot has four underbelly propellers that work as
standard wheels over ground and as fins to help the robot both crawl and sprint over water.The
creators envision that AmphiSTAR can be used for agricultural, search and rescue, and excavation
applications that require both crawling and swimming.139 Robotics is also being inspired by some
of nature’s most efficient processes to solve several of our pressing biodiversity challenges. For
instance, bio-roboticists are building Envirobots, a sinuous robot that can venture into toxic waters
for fieldwork, service, and search and rescue.

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26
IN BUSINESS
ÉCOLE POLYTECHNIQUE FÉDÉRALE DE LAUSANNE ENVIROBOT140
Initiative: Amphibot
Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland

A team led by Swiss professors and roboticists at the École Polytechnique

Fédérale de Lausanne created the Envirobots.141 The team works in biorobotics,
which draws inspiration from ecology to develop and use new robots to under-
stand living organisms better. Researchers in the field are also building biologi-
cally influenced devices that assist humans, such as machines modeled after real
animals capable of handling complex terrain (SDG 9,15).The team designed a
robot called Amphibot that mimicked the undulating, wave-like movement of
lampreys and eels (SDG 6,14).The key design decision was to build the robot
out of detachable segments, so they could customize its length for different tasks.
The autonomous Envirobot is roughly five feet long, controllable by researchers
from the shore, and programmable to move on its own to pinpoint the source of
pollution.The head module, which houses all the computing power, coordinates
the movement of its components.The ultimate goal is to have a system where
multiple rather than single robots could collectively create a map of pollution
(SDG 12). 142

As it swims, the sensors attached to the body take measurements and send
real-time data to a computer, making collecting data a quicker process than tra-
ditional methods.This Envirobot can also collect up to three water samples at dif-
ferent points. Amphibot relies on biological sensors, or living organisms, to check
the water. One sensor uses bacteria that researchers developed to emit light
when exposed to mercury. Another sensor has two compartments that contain a
tiny crustacean called daphnia: one is filled with clean water (the control group),
and the other is filled with the water to be analyzed. By comparing the movement
of the two groups exposed to the water, researchers can gauge water’s toxicity.
The Envirobot is portable, a feature that could make it useful in emergencies like
chemical spills or natural disasters (SDGs 13,16).

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 Robots help undo some of the damage done to our environment.They are tracking endangered
wildlife and assisting land conservation efforts by mapping ecosystems and monitoring protected
areas. Robots are being developed that mimic the evolutionary traits of animals to interact with
the world more efficiently. By mimicking how queen bees vibrate, for example, scientists have
created robots that can integrate themselves as members of the beehive and give beekeepers new
insight into population behavior.These little robots can artificially recreate several stimuli that can
be both appealing and repelling for the living bees.

Sensors on the living bees allow the robotic bees to better interact with the insects as they feed
information to an “evolutionary algorithm” that learns how to map their behavior.143 This tech
can help beekeepers look after their hives better, reducing the need to open them for inspection,
which causes stress to the bees and even kills hundreds of them each time. Big corporations, like
Walmart, are also interested in how bee robots can be used for business purposes.144 This exciting
innovation can lead to enabling robot bees to navigate and survey the crops using sensors and
cameras.These tiny drones could potentially pollinate as effectively as real bees.

SENSORS ON LIVING BEES ALLOW ROBOTIC BEES TO BETTER INTERACT

WITH THE INSECTS AS THEY FEED INFORMATION TO AN “EVOLUTIONARY
ALGORITHM” THAT LEARNS HOW TO MAP THEIR BEHAVIOR.

There is a growing concern globally about the safety and quality of food.Thankfully, automation
and robotics have aided a framework to make precision agriculture possible with minimal
environmental impact, employing efficient instruments for food safety assurance.This tech solution
can also be instrumental in boosting food production. Robots can improve agriculture, specifically
in areas like assessing crop nutrient status. Optical reflectance sensors have emerged for such
purposes.They successfully measure light reflectance from leafy crop canopies, which effectively
estimate the nitrogen status of plants and ultimately how much additional nitrogen needs to be
applied.145 Tractor-mounted spectrophotometers can make use of multispectral sensors to derive
chlorophyll content.146 Analyzing such data from automation sensors can also aid in determining
the optimum levels of fertilizers for maximum productivity.

ROBOTS WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN BOOSTING FOOD PRODUCTION.

Further, robots play a role in automated tasks such as planting, sowing, watering, and harvesting.
Sensors and computer vision aid in the delivery of these tasks.147 We find many examples of
business value in precision agriculture robotic applications:

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PRECISION FARMING: ROBOTS CREATING SOLUTIONS
California Bay Area-based FarmWise and Bear Flag Robotics are deploying physical robots
on farms to carry out AI-guided precision agricultural production. 148 FarmWise’s initial focus is on
weeding, with a longer-term vision to use its robots across a broad spectrum of farming activities.
Bear Flag Robotics has developed an autonomous tractor service.

Naio Technologies, based in southwestern France, has developed a robot to weed, hoe, and
assist during harvesting.149

Robot Highways project is currently demonstrating multiple uses for autonomous robots
made by Saga Robotics on a fruit farm in southeast England. Robots are treating plant diseases
in fields and greenhouses, mapping terrain, picking, packing, and providing logistical support to
workers throughout the project.This is achieved by attaching different tools to an autonomous
“base robot.” These autonomous farming robots have the potential to do some of the laborious
agricultural work that helps keep costs down and food prices competitive.150 Robots are available
that can be charged from renewable sources that cut agricultural carbon emissions. Further, robots
equipped with ultraviolet lights that can kill mildew on plants could reduce fungicide use by up to
90%.151

Energid Technologies in Cambridge has developed a citrus picking system by applying

powerful computer algorithms that retrieves one piece of fruit every 2 to 3 seconds.152 The
development will leverage Energid’s Actin and Selectin robotics software toolkits and advance RSS.

Blue River Technology has developed the LettuceBot2 that attaches itself to a tractor to thin
out lettuce fields and prevent herbicide-resistant weeds. Due to its precision, the robot uses 90%
less herbicide on crops.153

Small Robot Company has built machines that can navigate in tight spaces between
objects like trees, so they could potentially perform weeding, disease treatment, and mapping in
agroforestry systems.154 They could reduce chemical use on farms by targeting individual plants
rather than whole fields.

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 STRENGTHENING MANUFACTURING AND SHIPPING
Robots are taking vital steps to reduce pollution and emissions from manufacturing operations.
They are also a crucial part of optimizing the manufacturing process to reduce energy
consumption. In addition, they reduce our reliance on larger and more harmful vehicles and
machines.The human-robot collaboration makes manufacturing processes faster, more efficient,
and cost-effective, with idle time reduced by 85% with the involvement of a human-aware robot
compared to manual labor.155 By reshaping production processes and aiding sustainability, modern
robotic automation can deliver significant benefits for companies that often see investment being
recouped within just 18 months.156 Within manufacturing, robotic handling operations (machine
tending, palletizing, and molding) account for 38% of operations.157 Also, robotic welding, robotic
assembly (press-fitting, inserting, and disassembling), robotic dispensing (painting, gluing, and
spraying), and robotic processing (laser and water jet cutting) account for 29%, 10%, 4%, and 2%,
respectively.

THE HUMAN-ROBOT COLLABORATION MAKES MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

FASTER, MORE EFFICIENT, AND COST-EFFECTIVE, WITH IDLE TIME REDUCED
BY 85% WITH THE INVOLVEMENT OF A HUMAN-AWARE ROBOT COMPARED TO
MANUAL LABOR.158

Electronics giant GE is at the forefront of robotics manufacturing technology. Its value proposition
of robotics ties tightly to productivity in field service and manufacturing, bringing potential cost
savings into operations.159 The company works closely with GE business units, GE customers, and
strategic partners across the globe to envision and build intelligent robotic technologies from idea
to commercialization, delivering industrial-grade service robotic systems that enable automation,
productivity, and safety for GE and its customers. Building and finishing tasks, such as sanding and
polishing, are being increasingly performed by robotic automation, too. A robot can improve both
product quality and work experience through efficient material removal, waste reduction, and
more efficient energy use.160

The push for automation to increase efficiency and handle surging demand – and compete with
big shipping companies like Amazon – has only increased during Covid-19. Robots that can help
retailers keep up with Amazon are valuable, and investors are taking notice. Locus Robotics creates
autonomous mobile robots that pick up items at warehouses.This is a prime example of robotics
doing good while also creating business value.The company raised a sizable $150 million in early
2021 and, just seven months later,Tiger Global invested another $50 million in the Massachusetts
firm.161 The last round gave Locus unicorn status, with the company’s total funding rising to around
$300 million.

The work environment can benefit from robots, ultimately achieving improved productivity in
labor-intensive industries through technology, a target of the SDGs. Robots in manufacturing
improve productivity and reduce the stresses of the night shift for workers.They also help protect
the health and safety of people by performing hazardous jobs. According to statistics by the
International Federation of Robotics, the number of industrial robots in operation has and will
continue increasing year by year.162 In this regard, the case of the Japanese company FANUC is
interesting.They develop robots that can help solve society’s issues and improve the productivity
of their customers’ factories, addressing the issue of the decreased working population.

140
27
IN BUSINESS
LOCUS ROBOTICS163
Initiative: Logistical solutions
Headquarters:Wilmington, Massachusetts USA

Locus Robotics makes autonomous mobile robots called “LocusBots,” which can
pick up items at warehouses.The company is growing rapidly with some 4,000 ro-
bots in the field currently and more than 40 customers.These include shipping gi-
ant DHL and British health and beauty retailer Boots UK that focus on safety and
women in robotics (SDGs 3,5).164 These 4,000 robots have picked a total of more
than 300 million units, including 70 million during the 2020 holiday season. “This is
an industry that operated the same way for 50 years, and it sort of worked. Now
they understand that to survive, they need to automate.The Amazon effect is
really driving the industry,” says Locus Robotics CEO Rick Faulk.165

During the last six months of 2020, online ordering increased from 11% of total
business to 16%, putting pressure on operators to increase automation. Approxi-
mately 100,000 warehouse buildings worldwide still continue to operate manually.
Locus believes that it can double, or even triple fulfillment productivity with near-
100% accuracy (SDGs 9,12).With the new funding of more than $260 million,
the company intends to expand its global operations, including Asia, and continue
investing in research and development to add new features and functionality. Be-
yond real-time data visualization to track warehouse operations on an iPhone or
wearable technology, the company plans to continue adding to those capabilities
with AI and machine learning.166

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28 IN BUSINESS
FANUC167
Initiative: Cobot innovation in manufacturing
Headquarters: Oshino-mura,Yamanashi Japan

FANUC exclusively targets industrial robots and concentrates on helping custom-

ers automate or robotize their factories for improved productivity. It is a leading
supplier of automation for manufacturing including robotics, CNCs and motion
control, and robomachining centers.The company’s industrial robots, which include
types for welding, material handling (transportation of articles), assembly, and
painting are used in wide-ranging industry sectors.The market for “collaborative
robots” (cobots) is growing. As cobots automatically and safely stop when touched
by humans, they do not require safety fences. By assisting work alongside human
workers, operators can avoid strenuous work.The CRX series, lightweight collab-
orative robots FANUC announced in December 2019, are a new type of cobot de-
veloped to achieve thorough ease of use for customers.The manual-guided teaching
feature allows users to directly move the arm by hand, enabling intuitive robot
operation. Users can design teaching programs in a smartphone-like operation with
high reliability. Key features of FANUC that signify areas of contribution to envi-
ronmental and social issues include the robot’s measures to address skill building
for the decreases in the working population and to train highly-skilled engineers
(SDG 4), focus on improvement of factories’ work environment and safety (SDGs
3,8), and industry productivity as well as waste reduction and energy savings (SDGs
7,9,12,13).168

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ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD
The changes taking place in the robotics sector are expected to impact consumer markets and,
ultimately, society at large.These changes will be profound and potentially life-altering across all
fields and sectors. It is vital to note that next-generation robotics also poses some concerns.
Although the proliferation of this tech will bring a range of new industries and job creations, the
prospect of robots replacing human laborers means jobs will be lost. For example, a future where
unrestricted use of autonomous agricultural robots prevails may prove detrimental to farmers. In
parts of the world where there is no agricultural labor shortage, reducing the demand for human
workers would entail people needing resources and opportunities to retrain in other sectors. In
this instance, laborers may be forced to transition into dangerous and underpaid jobs in other
industries such as mining.

A FUTURE WHEREIN THE UNRESTRICTED USE OF AUTONOMOUS

AGRICULTURAL ROBOTS PREVAILS MAY PROVE DETRIMENTAL TO FARMERS.

Robots replacing human laborers in the present and future does not take into consideration
that people may lack the motivation or opportunity to learn skills for higher-paying jobs.With
the increasing automation of labor in several industries, there is a concern that business owners
will be able to hire fewer workers for lower wages without fear of competition from other
companies.This means that income inequality may continue to grow with this new form of robotics
technological innovation. In industry roles, such as manufacturing plants, robots are becoming
more common. One of the main issues with robots in this regard is that they require highly skilled
operators, which excludes many people who lack access to the necessary education and training.
There will be a shortage of qualified people for these jobs, signifying that companies will likely have
to pay these individuals disproportionately high wages.169

ROBOTS REQUIRE HIGHLY SKILLED OPERATORS, WHICH EXCLUDES MANY

PEOPLE WHO LACK ACCESS TO THE NECESSARY EDUCATION AND TRAINING.

Many ethical considerations also arise when introducing robots into environments where they can
make decisions that affect human lives. Especially the use of autonomous robots in the military
or robotic surgeons in hospitals. Businesses and governments alike will need to address these
issues. One worldwide change required will be for education to improve public understanding
and perception of robots and how they will interact in our digitally-enabled society.There will
be an extensive need for policies to ensure the smooth adoption of robots in various public
environments.170 We will need to better understand and explain the capabilities and limitations
of robot platforms. As with many of the other techs in this book, the threat of cyber security
is another important consideration. Since more autonomous robots operate in safety-critical
environments, someone could hack or manipulate a robot and impose significant harm. If left
unregulated, hacking incidents and data breaches could undermine the public perception of
robotics being a beneficial technology. Similarly, the ownership of data collected by robots
operated by commercial companies could pose further challenges.171 This is because those data
could be used for the pure benefit of big companies at the cost of societal good.

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 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
We have imagined robots supporting us, entertaining us, and working alongside us.These tech
companions aid in the psychological and physical health of vulnerable people, like autistic children
and the elderly.They have the unique capacity to give emotional, social, and educational support
whenever needed without getting tired. In times of isolation, robots emerge as a best friend
and confidant.We have also imagined how the field of robotics is advancing to protect us.While
keeping us healthy and safe, robots also work to limit strains and serious injuries for workers on
industrial jobs.

The robotics industry weaves through countless business models, and this chapter has taken us
on an imaginative journey of the possibilities for robotics innovations. Robotics’ unique qualities
in terms of accessibility and automation prove to be beneficial to all 17 Global Goals. In addition
to aiding children, robots are helping fight climate change, manage recycling, streamline healthcare,
and boost manufacturing. Remote areas that are too dangerous for humans are easily accessed by
robots, thus no longer requiring companies to send workers down dangerous ditches or hazardous
caves to extract minerals and gems. Agricultural operations are made more cost-effective through
automation, which increases productivity and staves off world hunger as well.

Imagining a sustainable world full of possibilities includes robotics in all facets of global business.
As our lifelike counterparts, with intelligent AI-enabled operating systems, robots instill an element
of trust and safety into the human experience. Let’s not fear a robot uprising, since the benefits
outweigh the threats.

We have imagined Robotics for Good.

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TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 ADVANCED MATERIALS 5
TIMES ARE CHANGING AND MATERIALS ARE
TRANSFORMING.
NEW SCIENTIFIC CONFIGURATIONS WILL
REDESIGN AND REVOLUTIONIZE OUR WORLD.

147
 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine redesigning infrastructure in our cities and communities by incorporating environmentally
responsible processes in construction. Imagine new, sustainable materials that could help us build
next-gen urban landscapes.Visualize eco-friendly buildings made of materials that go beyond
traditional bricks, concrete, and wood. Imagine how we could use these advanced materials to
substantially increase the value and functionality in a forward-thinking market while saving on
utility and maintenance costs.

Materials science tech innovations will propel us to a cleaner and healthier future. New and
advanced materials are transforming the way we live in unprecedented ways. Breakthroughs in
construction-materials development are creating sustainable business solutions for an economically
and environmentally prosperous world. Materials are not only enhancing infrastructure capabilities
to be energy efficient and carbon neutral, but they are also mitigating their own negative impacts.
Recognizing this enormous potential for “net positive” gains, we experience advanced materials of
the cityscape architecture reducing pollutants in the environment.

The notoriously smoggy Mexico City benefits greatly from this tech. In 1992, the UN declared it
the most polluted city in the world and since then significant efforts have been made to improve
air quality. In the southern corner stands a beautiful 100-meter tall, 2,500-meter wide, serene
white façade of a hospital building called the Torre de Especialidades that was inspired by fractals
in nature. A delight for the eye, this structure works to benefit our planet’s sustainability efforts by
cleaning up the pollution of thousands of vehicles passing by every day.The Torre de Especialidades
hospital is enclosed with special tiles that have air-scrubbing capabilities.1 The façade is made up
of a new genre of tile called “proSolve370e,” which neutralizes the chemicals produced by 8,750
cars daily.2 The key to the smog-fighting powers of the hospital building’s façade is in its paint.
Concocted from a titanium dioxide-based pigment, proSolve’s antimicrobial and de-polluting
properties provide smog-eating benefits as well as visual complexity in a memorable form.When

148
sunlight’s ultraviolet rays touch the titanium dioxide on the tiles, it triggers a chemical reaction
between the tiles and the smog in the air (mono-nitrogen oxides).While the pollutants are broken
down into safer substances such as water, carbon dioxide, and calcium nitrate, the titanium dioxide
remains unfettered and unchanged.

The innovative lattice-like design of the tile is another work of scientific art.The shape is
specifically designed in a purposeful manner to slow wind speed and create turbulence for better
distribution of pollutants across the active surfaces. Finally, the structure’s outer layer produces
shadows inside the building so that it catches light from all directions, helping keep it fresh and
cool by natural means rather than costly or artificial air conditioning.

Materials science is focused on the understanding and application of the properties of matter.
Specifically, it is the study of “connections between the underlying structure of a material,
its properties, its processing methods, and its performance in applications.”3 The engineering
possibilities of inventing novel solutions for materials to be utilized in various real-world
applications is the playful meeting of science and technology.This tech merges the natural world
with the art of generating exciting new materials for the benefit of the planet and its people.
Imagine the infinite number of breakthroughs that remain hidden in the chemistry between the
elements and materials all around us.

Imagine what awaits humankind if we find new chemical configurations and compositions to
produce advanced materials that shape a desirable future of innovation and sustainability. In
this regard, the possibilities are truly endless for the construction sector. It is no surprise that
entrepreneurs and scientists are infusing their intellect and aesthetic creativity with the promise
of chemical compounds to enhance buildings’ capabilities to combat pollution and slow climate
change. People and businesses all over the globe are invested in developing materials that will make
a difference in urban infrastructure planning.

Imagine slowing global warming with smog-eating buildings.This is Advanced Materials for Good.

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5 EXPLORING
ADVANCED MATERIALS
From paper to plastics, metamaterials to nanomaterials, materials innovation has been relying
heavily on tech advancements. Novel chemical configurations develop new products, and the
technological implementation looks toward using them for maximum market and scientific
advancement.This chapter talks about some of the most notable advanced materials - graphene,
glass, algae, solvents, membranes, nanomedicine, and nano crystals. But how do these and others
drive the economic growth market while ensuring the tech is used for good?

Some of the ways this tech could revolutionize business include achieving a recycle-based and low-
carbon society that new and advanced materials make possible. Industrial waste, which is severely
hazardous to the environment, can be transformed into an advanced material with the potential to
be utilized for the reduction of CO2 emissions. Acid-enhanced fertilizers to improve agricultural
yields are also coming forward, as are augmented plastics that can reduce transformation costs.
With sustainable business growth improving thanks to advanced materials, the capabilities of tech
for good are becoming more prominent.

Maximizing the value of advanced materials does, however, mean consideration of some of the
challenges that may present themselves along the journey.There are, of course, risks tied into
the use of these advanced materials, as is the case with every tech discussed in this book. Health
implications are most important to research for innovations like these, since they can be significant
in terms of both limiting business growth and stalling environmental goals. Although this novel field
of materials science comes with some risk, its applications will advance our world and create new,
sustainable business opportunities.

150
THE TECH
Advanced materials are a new class of materials with enhanced properties that are continuously
being developed.They are intentionally designed for superior performance.The major scientific
breakthroughs of the last century, along with a new understanding of atoms, laid the foundation for
advanced materials to be a vital component of our high-tech economy.4 It is amazing to see how
rapidly material sciences introduce a wide variety of technological advancements. If these materials
are developed while keeping their constructive purpose in mind, such as to produce positive
benefits for both the planet and people, they can have a huge impact. In this exciting first phase of
the 4IR, we see these new materials blend with digital technologies, underpinning the mere essence
of this next industrial phase. Advanced materials can alter and enhance our way of life.There is
a reason the world celebrates the Bronze Age and the Iron Age – these eras marked significant
points in human and societal advancements. Concrete, stainless steel, and silicon are other notable
materials that have made the modern era possible, but they are also soon to be history.

A NEW CLASS OF MATERIALS IS EMERGING, BOASTING POTENTIALS NOT YET

ENTIRELY GRASPABLE BY THE HUMAN IMAGINATION.

Throughout history, advances in materials technology have influenced humankind. At this stage,
the world is on the verge of the next shift, where materials tech innovations enable products
and functions that were previously believed impossible. Modern industry requires materials to be
lighter, tougher, thinner, denser, and more flexible or rigid, as well as to be heat- and wear-resistant.
Simultaneously, researchers and organizations employ their imagination and push the boundaries.
They seek to improve and enhance existing materials to contrive completely new iterations
that, while years away from day-to-day use, can take us into entirely new technological realms of
sustainability and progress.These exciting potentials are utterly promising and appealing to an
almost futuristic type of novel application.

This chapter discloses a variety of these materials as we know them today.When applied for good,
materials have an enormous beneficial impact throughout all business sectors. Metamaterials, which
allow scientists to control light waves in new ways, could improve daily functions as prevalent
as streamlining smartphone usage and changing how we use other tech applications.5 Let’s take
a metamaterial example that has already come a long way: graphene. In the world of advanced
materials, carbon-derived graphene outperforms even the most robust tiny creatures like insects in
terms of proportional strength. Graphene is a single atom thick (one million times thinner than a
human hair) but 200 times stronger than steel by weight, extremely flexible, super light, and almost
transparent. It also boasts excellent heat and electricity conductivity.

WHEN APPLIED FOR GOOD, MATERIALS HAVE AN ENORMOUS POSITIVE

IMPACT THROUGHOUT ALL BUSINESS SECTORS.

Graphene’s density is only 5% that of steel, yet believe it or not, it is hundreds of times stronger!
Researchers at Nankai University in Tianjin, China, recently found that a graphene sponge can turn
light into energy, thus taking humankind one step closer to a fuel-free spacecraft that runs by the
light of the sun.6 A new class of materials is emerging, boasting potentials not yet entirely graspable
by human imagination and leading us to a sustainable and innovative future. Graphene takes on
numerous forms. At once a powder, then dispersed in a polymer matrix, the material is capable of
being applied to several already new materials like composites, 3D printed materials, and batteries.
Potential areas of application for graphene are wide-ranging, from water purification and energy
storage to household goods, computers, and other electronics.

151
 “MATERIALS HAVE ALWAYS BEEN ABOUT ENTHUSIASM. MATERIALS ARE A
DREAM THAT WE HAVE REALIZED. EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE; IT’S JUST THAT
WE HAVE TO MAKE IT HAPPEN.”7 - MARK MIODOWNIK, AUTHOR OF “STUFF MATTERS”

New materials like graphene are advanced materials with engineered properties, created through
specialized processing and synthesis technology. Hence, they are often used in high-technology
applications.These materials are a cornerstone of the 4IR, which blends digital and physical
technologies. Advanced materials can be either new materials with advanced characteristics – in
which case these materials are really “created” – or existing materials with additionally engineered
properties. A vast range of materials is appearing and evolving, including ceramics, high value-added
metals, electronic materials, semiconductors, composites, polymers, biomaterials, carbon fiber,
smart materials, and nanoengineered materials. Nowadays, much of the development for novel
materials occurs in science labs and is far more experimental than in former revolutions.

MANY NEW MATERIALS OFFER THE PROMISE OF DECREASED ENERGY

USAGE, BETTER PERFORMANCE AT LOWER COSTS, AND LESS DEPENDENCE
ON VIRGIN MATERIALS.

Today, scientists are testing combinations of ingredients, heating, mixing, and other processes to
continue unprecedented materials research and experimentation. During the last few decades, a
scaled-up, highly organized and automated research system called “combinatorial chemistry,” which
involves the synthesis of compounds, has produced new materials.8 These include automotive
coatings, hydrogen storage materials, materials for solar cells, metal alloys, organic dyes, and many
others.With so many chemical advancements on the horizon, there are promising developments
in materials science for the future. As the world of materials science and development has become
much more aware of resource scarcity and climate change, along with health and wellbeing
challenges, we have evidence before us for meaningful and favorable progress. For instance, many
advanced materials today in the development and research stage offer the promise of decreased
energy usage, better performance at lower costs, and less dependence on diminishing natural
resources.

In 1931, American scientist Samuel Stephens Kistler discovered silica aerogel, a material that can be
described as “strange and ghostlike.”9 This material is solid in form despite being 99.98% air. Made
by sucking the liquid out of gel using a supercritical dryer, aerogel consists of air pockets that make
it ultralight and capable of trapping heat. Its applications are encouraging too, such as the possibility
of being used on Mars. It can be used to build settlements (domes) near the planet’s polar ice
caps where these structures will trap heat, melt polar ice into usable water, and block harmful
ultraviolet radiation while allowing visible light through.The material’s light weight is an added
benefit, making it easy to transport to Mars.

“MATERIALS THAT HEAL THEMSELVES ARE COMING.”10 - MARK MIODOWNIK,

AUTHOR OF “STUFF MATTERS”

With all these new, advanced materials the sky’s the limit.This concept is further exhibited in
nanocomposite research which is opening the possibility of materials that fix themselves, much
like the way the human body heals itself.These self-fixing or self-healing materials have the built-
in ability to automatically repair damages without any external diagnosis or human intervention.
Researchers in the Beckman Institute’s Autonomous Materials Systems Group at the University
of Illinois are working on fiber-composite materials with self-healing properties.11 Self-healing
materials are used in the autonomic repair of composites to restore functionalities and structural
properties.

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PHOSPHORENE NANORIBBONS
Phosphorene Nanoribbons, an accidental discovery in recent years, have altered the field of
battery technology.12 The structure of this technology means the charged ions in electric vehicles,
aircraft, and solar batteries can now move up to 1,000 times faster.13 As a result, we would see a
decrease in charging time and a 50% increase in battery capacity. It could also mean a transition for
innovative tech companies, such as Tesla, away from hard-to-source lithium ions to abundant sodium
ions.14 At merely one atom thick and 100 atoms across, they span up to 100,000 atoms in length.15
They are uniform but manipulable, meaning their properties (such as electrical conductivity) can be
fine-tuned.Their flexibility means they can be malleable and can perfectly follow the contours of
surfaces. Moreover, this innovative new advanced material tech marks the emergence of altogether
novel phenomena and unique constructions for utility and applications such as thermoelectric
devices and integrated high-speed electronic circuits.

This self-fixing quality is one step closer to automatically improving the life of a material, as well as
the life of the planet.The possibilities for this tech to fix anything on demand, from airplane wings,
to bike frames, to car parts crucial to the safety of vehicles and passengers is becoming viable.
Researchers are even working on new materials that will allow a roadway to repair itself instead of
waiting for a maintenance crew to arrive.16 Advanced materials are on the cusp of having a massive
sustainable business impact on product development and lifecycle attributes across several sectors.

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
Materials incorporated into prominent technologies have a long history that dates back to
the Stone Age prior to 3000 B.C.E. During prehistoric times, human technologies relied on
found objects and substances harvested from the earth. Modifying these materials, early man
formed them into different and useful forms.This was the beginning of technological materials
advancements. Humans of the Bronze Age (3000-1200 B.C.E), the Iron Age (1200 B.C.E. – 300
C.E.), and the Middle Ages (300 - 1300 C.E.) introduced materials such as metals and clay along
with tech advancements in furnaces developed for metal extraction and processing, which brought
about profound changes in lifestyles. Additional metallurgical advances, such as the introduction of
the Bessemer Process, established steel as the material that defined the industrial timespan.17 New
materials have been continuously developed throughout history that were advanced for their time.
From achieving the capabilities necessary to produce iron to creating techniques required to make
porcelain, the most cutting-edge examples of advanced materials technology are evident in every
era.18

RECENT ADVANCES IN MATERIALS SCIENCE UNLOCK EMERGING

TECHNOLOGIES THAT ARE A DEFINING FACTOR OF THE 4IR.

Since the 1950s, the information era in which we currently live has been defined by the ubiquity
of computers.The material substrate that enables tech advancements in modern computing is the
semiconductor, which is primarily silicon-based.There are numerous other new materials that make
technologies possible, such as advanced composite materials for aerospace applications and the
polymers for a variety of consumer goods.The surging field of nanoscience and nanotechnology is
spurring design of materials as well. Materials defects, also called crystallographic defects, are now
being used in the storage and retrieval of quantum information for quantum computing purposes.19
When the novel effects demonstrated by these materials become commonplace, the technologies

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 that define the next era will be based around custom-made matter with structures that span
length scales, from the nanoscopic to the macroscopic, and that have superlative (or conventionally
impossible) thermal, optical, tribomechanical, and computational capabilities.

ADVANCED MATERIALS MARKET SIZE

Innovative advanced material technologies are expected to impact economic growth directly
and positively through improved products and processes.20 While nations around the globe are
developing low-carbon technology to tackle climate change by introducing low-carbon vehicles
and low-energy buildings with strong material structures, businesses are competitive in this tech
area as well. Emerging with advanced materials such as gorilla glass in smartphones or composites
in the Boeing Dreamliner aircraft, companies across the healthcare, aerospace, packaging, and
construction industries are financially benefiting from the use of new materials through improved
productivity, performance, sustainability, and regulatory obligations. 21

Companies and their competitors are launching new materials that unlock revenue potential and
market share, help meet unmet customer needs, assist in achieving profitability goals, and provide
a base for satisfying sustainability and regulatory requirements. Profitability can be achieved from
the molecular level and up, as new materials utilize the research community’s understanding of
chemical compound structures and other properties to improve product performance, capability,
and efficiency.The advanced materials market is classified into lightweight materials, ceramics, glass,
polymers, composites, metals and alloys, nanomaterials, and others. Of these, ceramics holds a
significant market share, which can be attributed to the increased usage in the electronics industry
in recent years.22 Moreover, the market for lightweight materials and nanomaterials is expected to
witness considerable growth due to the increasing usage of nanomaterials in prominent industries
like automotive and healthcare.

THE RAPIDLY GROWING ADVANCED MATERIALS TECH MARKET IS

TRANSFORMING THE GLOBAL MANUFACTURING INDUSTRY,
ESPECIALLY IN ITS REPLACEMENT OF PLASTICS AND METALS.

The advanced materials market is forecasted to reach $2.1 trillion by 2025,23 recording a 10%
CAGR globally from 2019 to 2025.24 Asia Pacific is expected to account for a majority of the
advanced materials industry market share at 58% by 2024.25 China is leading the way from $3.9
billion in 2016 to an anticipated $5.31 billion by the end of 2024.26 Germany is projected to amass
a 21% market share in the global advanced materials market by the end of 2024, with expected
growth at a CAGR of 6.5% over the forecast period of 2019 to 2024. 27 Europe is also expected
to observe significant growth in the coming years.28 Economies of the United Kingdom and
Spain are likely to be the key contributors to the growth of the materials market in this region.29
Furthermore, the rising demand for energy in the Middle East and Africa region is expected to fuel
the growth of advanced materials globally.

THE ADVANCED MATERIALS MARKET IS FORECASTED TO REACH $2.1

TRILLION BY 2025,30 RECORDING A 10% CAGR GLOBALLY
FROM 2019 TO 2025.31

The next phase of this tech is in plant-based new materials development, such as algae, where
the market was valued at $592 million in 2019 and is projected to reach $967.3 million by 2027,
growing at a CAGR of 6.3% from 2020 to 2027.32The building and structural materials segment

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is also dominant and will likely reach $1.8 trillion by the end of 2024, from $1.1 trillion in 2016.33
The global advanced building materials market was valued at $56.7 billion in 2021, and is projected
to reach $111.7 billion by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 6.8% from 2022 to 2031.34
Venture capital firms are driving market growth as well, promoting financing in advanced materials
startups.Top Venture capital investors by value includes 8VC, Bessemer Ventures Partners, Sutter
Hill Ventures LLC, and Coatue Management LLC that are investing in startups to develop innovative
battery storage materials and advanced manufacturing technologies.35 In addition,Yida Capital,
ZhongWei Capital, Forebright Capital Management Limited, and Huiyou Capital are financially
backing startups working on integrated circuits, sensor chips, and advanced manufacturing for
lightweight applications. Collaborations exist in the new materials markets between investors and
science.

This rapidly expanding technology is transforming the global manufacturing industry, especially
in its replacement of plastics and metals with ceramics and composites in high-performance
applications.36 Growing business interest in end product replacements will further propel the
overall market demand for new materials.The expanding electrical and electronics sector and
the growing development of the aerospace sector are expected to drive the growth of the new
materials market as well and will be essential to manufacturing processes across industries.The
ceramics segment holds the largest share in the advanced materials market. Advanced ceramics
such as alumina, aluminum nitride, zirconia, silicon carbide, silicon nitride, and titania-based
materials, each with their own specific characteristics, offer a high-performance, economical
alternative to conventional materials such as glass, metals, and plastics.37

$35.62 $2.1 Building and

structural
trillion
billion materials
forecasted
2022 expected to
global
global reach
advanced
advanced
materials
materials $1.8
market trillion by the
market size.38
by 2025.39 end of 2024.40

ADVANCED MATERIALS FOR GOOD

Materials science, including engineering, research, and financing mechanisms, is rapidly moving
forward to help address the Global Goals. New and advanced materials could have major beneficial
impacts that include countering global warming and augmenting energy efficiency.There are
several examples of advanced materials creating solutions in solar power, electric-car batteries,
portable electronic devices, implantable medical devices for personalized medicine, lifesaving
pharmaceuticals, streamlined industrial manufacturing processes, and cleaner energy usage.The
potential for research and the development of advanced materials to create a better world is
limitless.

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29 IN BUSINESS
EARLY CHARM VENTURES
Initiative: Materic LLC41
Headquarters: Baltimore, Maryland USA

Early Charm, a Baltimore-based venture, merged six of its advanced materials

holdings into one operating company, Materic LLC (SDG 17).42 “By coming togeth-
er under Materic, we now have sales into the aerospace, healthcare, biotechnology,
electronics, automotive, athletic, energy and military industries, giving us contacts
into each of the key sectors for advanced materials”43 states Ken Malone, CEO
with Abri Science, a Materic subsidiary. Early Charm Ventures creates, owns, and op-
erates venture capital entities that convert science into revenue. Specifically, the VC
firm has achieved its goals of providing more value to customers and accelerating
the commercialization of each company’s intellectual property (SDG 8). Materic’s
mission is to develop market opportunities to custom design and manufacture
advanced materials (SDG 12).44 As a chemical and specialty materials company,
Materic works with clients to design and produce custom solutions to fit unique
applications.The Materic team of scientists, engineers, and designers assists in all
phases, from ideation to prototyping, to helping turn concepts into manufacturable
products.

Materic has expertise in designing specialty material for industries such as: elec-
tronics, oil and gas, filtration, energy, textiles, and health and personal care. Solving
customers’ new materials needs, the firm brings together multiple technologies
and a team with diverse expertise. Materic’s newly combined capabilities include
nanofiber electrospinning, nanoparticle separation, textile treatments, 3D printing
materials, specialty inks, and encapsulation (SDG 9).

Materic’s six advanced materials subsidiaries include:

Abri Science – enabling enzymes and catalysts to work in harsh environments
through microencapsulation; DiPole Materials – electrospinning nanofibers includ-
ing piezoelectrics for smart garments, scaffolds for tissue engineering and a wide
range of custom products for industrial uses; NanoDirect – high efficiency separa-
tion technologies for nanoparticles and the Direct Silver line of silver nanowires
and specialty inks for the electronics and energy industries; Ortuvo – 3D printing
technology for tissue engineering and custom bio-inks for the healthcare and
biotech industries; Synteris – 3D printing technology for ceramics in the aerospace,
healthcare and automotive industries; SciGenesis – specialty textile inks, microen-
capsulated insect repellant treatments for textiles and heat reflecting camo face
paints for the military and athletic industries.

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FROM BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS TO STRUCTURAL BUILDING COMPONENTS,
NEW AND ADVANCED MATERIALS CAN IMPROVE LIVES.

From biomedical applications to structural building components, the superior or more functional
qualities of new advanced materials can improve societies while leveraging millions of investment
dollars in the long and short term. A wide range of categories of advanced materials are available,
and they tie into both the need and the opportunity to be materials for good. Biomaterials, for
instance, are materials interacting with or being derived from biological systems in combination
with synthetic materials. Harnessing cellular and molecular processes to develop new products
for a range of uses, scientists are developing technological advancements to produce stronger
biomaterials.45 The science of advanced materials sheds a new light on the interaction between
biology and nature.The continuously growing understanding of biological systems and their
interfaces with materials is opening new pathways for the use of biomaterials.These materials have
a wide range of applications with diverse requirements.

BIOMIMICRY: MATERIALS MIMICKING NATURE

Biomimicry inspires many new materials by looking to nature to inform their advanced solutions.
If we as humans harness materials in a manner that mimics the natural world, we could apply
nature’s intelligence to many 4IR needs and solutions. Nature is packed with inspiration for
scientists designing new materials or enhancing existing materials. Scientists use substances like
waterproof adhesives and self-cleaning surfaces, mineralized teeth, hairy insect feet, and spider silk
as nature-based templates to develop bio-inspired materials. For instance, possible applications
for humans could be electrodes made from the materials silicon, platinum, iridium, and tungsten
implanted into the brain in patients with Parkinson’s disease, which is required to be stiff during
insertion but flexible once in place.46 Another potential is for protective clothing, which needs
to be comfortable to wear but protective when necessary.The pathway from science to practice
and commercialization may not yet have fully come to fruition for this tech, but there is a vast
opportunity to use nature as a model for advanced materials.47

CarbonTech is an exciting growth area in materials science for the benefit of the planet as well.
Referring to the wide variety of commercial products made with the CO2 captured from power
plants, biomass, or direct air capture. CarbonTech is an estimated $6 trillion available market
globally.48 Advanced materials in CarbonTech encompass a diverse set of goods and services,
including global commodities like fuel, plastics, and building materials as well as valuable niche
applications like cosmetics, food, beverages, and emerging technologies including carbon nanotubes.
In energy efficiency and carbon storage applications, CarbonTech presents a range of innovative
solutions. A startup in Iceland named Carbfix is tackling climate change with a unique approach
to materials science (Case 30). By turning carbon dioxide into rocks, the tech solution allows the
greenhouse gas to be stored forever instead of escaping into the atmosphere and trapping heat.

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30 IN BUSINESS
CARBFIX49
Initiative:Turn CO2 into stone
Headquarters: Reykjavik, Iceland

Carbfix is an academic-industrial tech partnership that is intent on reaching one

billion tons of permanently stored CO2 in 2030.50 Vast quantities of carbon are
naturally stored in rocks. Carbfix imitates and accelerates the natural processes
of carbon drawdown from the atmosphere, where carbon dioxide is dissolved in
water and interacts with reactive rock formations, such as basalts, to form stable
minerals providing a permanent and safe carbon sink (SDGs 9,12).The Carb-
fix process captures and permanently removes CO2 (SDG 13). For the Carbfix
technology to work, three requirements must be met: favorable rocks, water, and a
source of carbon dioxide.The timescale of this process initially surprised scientists’
projections. In the Carbfix pilot project, it was determined that at least 95% of the
injected CO2 mineralizes within two years, much faster than previously thought.51

About 5% of the continents are covered by favorable rocks for carbon minerali-
zation, as well as most of the seafloor.The global storage potential is greater than
the emissions of the burning of all fossil fuels on Earth (SDG 7). In fact, Iceland
alone could store many years’ worth of mankind’s carbon emissions. Europe could
theoretically store at least 4 trillion tons of CO2 in rocks, while the US could store
at least 7.5 billion tons (SDG 12).52 “This is a technology that can be scaled—it’s
cheap and economic and environmentally friendly,” Carbfix CEO Edda Sif Pind Ara-
dottir said.53 “Basically we are just doing what nature has been doing for millions of
years, so we are helping nature help itself.”

Carbfix was derived from a research project and founded in 2006 by Reykjavik En-
ergy, the University of Iceland, CNRS in France, and the Earth Institute at Columbia
University (SDG 17). It’s owned by Reykjavik Energy.The startup recently raised
$117 million from The European Innovation Fund in a June 2022 funding round,
as well as an undisclosed amount from the Musk Foundation and XPRIZE in April
2022.54

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The advancement of materials in energy and environmental design is being implemented across the
globe to perpetuate sustainable business. Polymers (such as plastics) and soft materials like foams,
emulsions, and gels are being further developed for a range of consumer products and high-end
technological applications that improve both business and environmental performance. Nanotech
and nanomaterials offer enormous opportunities for sustainable technologies. From saving raw
materials, energy, and water to decreasing greenhouse gasses and excess waste, nanotechnology
utilized in various products, procedures, and applications could certainly support environmental
and climate protection. In application, improved methods to separate CO2 from waste gasses are
being constructed from nanomaterials. Researchers in Germany fabricated an ultra-thin nanoscale
polymer film that filters out CO2 with promising results.55 This material could be used to treat
large gas streams under low pressure, such as CO2 captured from gasses in coal-fired power
plants.

ADVANCED MATERIALS PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS

Advanced materials will have positive impacts on several Global Goals.They are particularly
important for the proper and effective implementation of the SDGs.The rising use of new
materials in areas like manufacturing processes across healthcare, energy, environment, and many
more underpins the dynamic and functional qualities of the tech being essential for achieving the
Goals.

ZERO HUNGER
There are many ways in which new materials will help mitigate this grand-scale
challenge. Advances in materials will lead to better crop protection, for example, to
guard plants from infestations. Progress in this tech will also drive improvement in
new and better equipment involved in the agriculture sector.The production of crops
and food distribution channels will see drastic enhancement too. Overall, the nanotechnology
applications for novel and advanced materials hold great potential to facilitate technological
advances that can help improve food security, supply, and production. Copper is necessary for the
proper development of plant tissues, in addition to a positive effect on the photosynthesis process
and nitrogen transformation. However, plants do not easily absorb natural copper that is necessary
for high yield-quality.This prompted Polish AgriTech startup Strigiformes to manufacture a nano
copper-based biostimulant.56 Biosterilvita Plus, the startup’s proprietary product, combines garlic
extract and horseradish together with a nanomolar concentration of nano copper.The product
stimulates the growth and development of plants by increasing the uptake of water and nutrients.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Materials have abundant applications in global healthcare and help enormously in
ensuring healthy lives for people worldwide. Advances in materials sciences are
facilitating progress for medical devices.With the assistance of new materials that
have improved properties, medical equipment and devices function at a higher level
and provide more precise services.These materials have better and enhanced physical, electrical,
and chemical properties that stimulate innovation. Medical equipment made using Solvay’s Udel
high-performance polysulfone (PSU) thermoplastic is recycled at the end of their useful lives
in a new sustainability initiative that the company has embarked on with Mitsubishi Chemical
Advanced Materials (MCAM).57 This advanced material product will help customers reach

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 sustainability goals for high-performance healthcare business targets. Both companies are currently
investigating the implementation of logistics for recovery, recycling, and reprocessing of Udel PSU
medical components, with the aim of recycled material being suitable for reuse in the original
applications.58

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

New materials are indispensable to address the energy crisis and fulfill the demand
for renewable power. Materials science is facilitating the development of photovoltaic
components and thin films to increase solar energy production and its efficiency.
The turbines used in wind energy are also made of polymer matrix composite
materials. In the sphere of geothermal power, new materials technologies have become crucial
for the success of enhanced geothermal systems.With structural materials, advanced ceramics,
and coatings for fuels, these advanced substances are bound to play an important role in efficient
energy transportation, storage, and buildings that help shape a sustainable world. Arkema’s
advanced materials used in solar panels, wind turbine blades, and electric batteries support
society’s transition to renewable energy.59 The France-based materials innovator is developing
new solar panel materials, especially polymers, with the aim to increase sturdiness, lifetime, and
performance of solar panels. In addition, Arkema is providing the industry with products and
solutions to reduce production costs and to save on silicon, while also making it easier to recycle
end of life panels.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

Materials science has enabled the efficient use of energy-intensive materials and
the retention of materials that are indispensable for modern technology in urban
regions. Moreover, by making possible the mitigation of corrosion and enhancing the
processes of the energy sector, new materials have made sustainability an achievable
reality.With sub-areas like structural materials, construction materials, lightweight cementitious
composites, and many more, materials science holds enormous potential to help mankind realize
the dream of sustainable buildings and eventually cities. Substances like shape memory alloys,
piezoelectric, and magnetostrictive smart materials are extremely important for developing
smart cities.60

RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

New materials enhance efficient consumption of resources.With the advent of
advanced rubber composites, the life of tires has increased.Tremendous strides
have also been made in energy efficiency due to low-emitting windows and green
insulation materials. New and advanced materials create low emission chemicals,
steel, and aluminum and can replace many materials throughout the chemical industry, ensuring
higher performance with lower or zero footprint and less pressure on scarce natural resources.

Houston,Texas-based DexMat Inc. manufacturers products derived from carbon nanotubes

(CNT).61 From tape to insulated yarn, DexMat’s patented material “Galvorn CNT fibers” has
demonstrated breakthrough advancements in materials science in manufacturing.The Galvorn CNT
fibers can be used to create various conductive products.With continued success, DexMat has
been improving the electrical and mechanical properties of its developments by about 20% to 25%
a year for the last 20 years.62 This steady cadence of material and product improvements allows
the company to maintain growth and innovate new products.

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 CLIMATE ACTION
Climate action is highly relevant for new materials solutions, as climate change is
perhaps the biggest challenge that mankind faces in the 21st century. Advanced
materials along with nanotechnology are powerful tools that can help us tackle
this impending global threat. Lightweight nanocomposite materials help reduce the
weight of commercial vehicles, which results in reduced fuel consumption.The nano-coatings have
proven to be one of the best tools to reduce emissions and increase clean energy production.
Moreover, nanostructured materials, like aerogels, lead to a reduction in heat transfer through
building elements and significantly reduce loads on heating systems. A variety of critical materials
enable clean energy technologies such as photovoltaics, wind turbines, electric vehicles, and
energy-efficient lighting. Not only will they help cut carbon emissions and curb global warming, but
these materials will also be an important factor in business success for climate-minded companies.
Advanced substances such as CO2 gas separation membranes, hybrid thin-film photovoltaics, solid-
oxide fuel cells, and higher voltage and flow batteries will need further advancements for market
integration.

LIFE BELOW WATER

Aquatic and marine pollution is another huge problem the world faces where
materials will be highly relevant.The seas are home to innumerable organisms
and a source of protein for billions of people. New materials have made possible
technological progress in mitigating marine pollution.With sustainable, “green”
submarine cables the ocean floor can be monitored like never before. Also, designing and
synthesis of carbon materials for ocean monitoring leads to the detection and removal of dyes,
pharmaceuticals, and heavy metals from salt waters. Canadian startup A20 Advanced Materials
is developing the next generation of underwater adhesive and bonding coatings for anti-fouling
purposes.63 Oceanic organisms such as barnacles, sponges, and seaweeds attach themselves to
vessels, slowing their speed while increasing fossil fuel consumption and transporting potentially
invasive species from port to port.Through a sustainable, green chemistry-inspired route, A20 has
created a new class of bonding materials that respond to the environment to produce durable and
long-lasting coatings and adhesives for boats or ships.64

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 ZERO HUNGER
ƒ Reduce agricultural damage using microorganisms.
ƒ Improve agricultural yields to help restore farmland with acid-
enhanced fertilizer.
ƒ Employ lighter and harder augmented plastics to reduce
transportation costs.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING AFFORDABLE AND

ƒ Utilize new allergy-resistant latex
adopted for medical, surgical, CLEAN ENERGY
inspection, and industrial gloves. ƒ Control heat and vibrations in
ƒ Contribute to a hygienic lifestyle materials used for clean energy
with chemical-resistant plastic consumption and production.
that is resistant to detergents and ƒ Install safer, more stable,
disinfectants. and higher-purity conductive
materials for the inner and outer
semiconductive layers of cables.
ƒ Improve conductivity by replacing
adhesive material with an
enhanced volatile organic solvent.

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 SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
ƒ Allow for stronger and sturdier building structures that
pollute less by incorporating cement additives.
ƒ Reduce environmental burdens and improve working
environments using rubber-based hot-melt adhesive
without organic solvent.

RESPONSIBLE ADVANCED CLIMATE ACTION

ƒ Utilize industrial
PRODUCTION AND
CONSUMPTION MATERIALS byproducts of
steelworks and thermal
ƒ Develop new, power generation
recyclable products plants as raw materials
from diverse fields for the reduction of
to create a recycle- CO2 emissions.
based and low-carbon ƒ Reduce the size
society. and weight of
ƒ Enhance durability commercial vehicles
and functionality of with nanocomposites,
products by developing lowering fuel
additives and consumption and
substances. cutting CO2 emissions.

LIFE BELOW WATER

ƒ Reduce aquatic marine pollution with greener
infrastructure derived from advanced materials.
ƒ Eliminate toxic chemicals and harmful substances using
carbon materials that can detect pollutants.

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 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
Advanced materials offer opportunities to reduce costs and increase profitability due to their
properties. Being stronger, lighter, and more durable, they last longer and save money on replacing
parts. Additionally, they can compensate for operational and manufacturing challenges unsolved
by less functional materials. Increased customer satisfaction and loyalty are also important for a
business’s bottom line. New and advanced materials help make final products that better fulfill
customer requirements, thereby increasing competitiveness.These materials enable enterprises to
create sophisticated products, design new business models, and achieve the Global Goals.

The drive towards sustainable business practices, large-scale manufacturing, and superior
functionality is supported by advanced materials that prove fundamental to the 4IR economy.
Advanced materials replace traditional materials to provide value for businesses and consumers.
The contribution of new advanced materials in addressing the world’s most urgent challenges
is significant. Materials science companies are thus driving innovations in a number of business
sectors with applications ranging from light-weighting materials in transportation, electrode
materials in energy, biosensors in healthcare, and metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) to remove
pollutants from the environment.65

NEW AND ADVANCED MATERIALS HELP MAKE FINAL PRODUCTS THAT

FULFILL CUSTOMER REQUIREMENTS.

To improve the versatility of MOFs as sensors, semiconductor quantum dots have been introduced
into the MOF pores to form composites. Quantum dots (QDs) are man-made nanoscale
crystals that are capable of transporting electrons.66 When UV light hits these semiconducting
nanoparticles, they emit light of various colors.These artificial semiconductor nanoparticles have
found applications in composites, solar cells, and fluorescent biological labels. Because certain
biological molecules are capable of molecular recognition and self-assembly, nanocrystals could
become an important material component of self-assembled functional nanodevices.

The atom-like energy states of QDs furthermore contribute to special optical properties, such as a
particle-size dependent wavelength of fluorescence that is an important technology in applications
like fabricating optical probes for biological and medical imaging. By leveraging the power of
nanoparticles, modern companies secure their competitive edge, specifically in the electronics,
energy, mobility, and manufacturing sectors. Singapore-based startup Nanolumi proliferates QD
technology for electronic displays with its reliable and safe perovskite nanocrystals.

“THESE MATERIALS AND THIS ADVANCED EXISTENCE THAT WE NOW LIVE IS

BROUGHT TO US NOT BY SMALL GROUPS OF PEOPLE OR EVEN TEN GROUPS
OF TENS OF PEOPLE, BUT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE IN THE LARGEST OF
ORGANIZATIONS.”67 - ERICA NEMSER, CEO OF COMPACT MEMBRANE SYSTEMS

Advanced materials designed as sorbents, solvents, and membranes are also having a big impact, as
they can absorb carbon and minimize emissions. Improving energy efficiency with new materials
implementation in core business processes is a cost-effective way to lower CO2 emissions by 15%
to 20%, as well as increase the thermal inertia of building structures to reduce energy costs by
30% to 80%.68 The European Commission considers hydrogen as an energy carrier with significant
potential for clean, efficient power in stationary, portable, and transport applications. Advanced
materials increase volumetric hydrogen capacities as well, which will have a net positive effect
on the energy sector. 69 The use of lightweight composites and metals also help in a minimum of
10% reduction in a vehicle weight, which is estimated to result in a 6% to 8% improvement in fuel
economy.70

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31
IN BUSINESS
NANOLUMI71
Initiative: Quantum dot enabled production
Headquarters: Singapore

Nanolumi proliferates QD technology for electronic displays with its reliable and
safe perovskite nanocrystals (SDGs 3,9).The company combines the advantages
of cadmium-free origin, broad light spectrum coverage, purer color performance,
and high-volume mass-production suitability.72 Nanolumi’s product also intends to
supplant conventional perovskite nanocrystals for premium electronics with tech-
nology that brings colors and brightness to displays in addition to high perfor-
mance advanced luminescent materials.The tech solution creates energy-efficient
products that transform screen time into an enjoyable and immersive experience
for work and leisure (SDGs 7,8).

Light emitted by perovskite nanocrystals are spectrally pure, offering highly

saturated colors and a wider color spectrum.This is increasingly important as
high dynamic range digital content becomes more readily available. Perovskite
nanocrystals are the most efficient light-emitter – emitting a range of very narrow
emission wavelengths even if the light absorbed (or being converted) is a broader
spectrum – allowing more light to reach the viewer for a brighter display that
consumes equal or less electrical power (SDG 12).The color performance of
perovskite nanocrystals is determined by managing chemical composition and
is not sensitive or dependent on individual particle size like conventional (metal
chalcogenide) quantum dots, thus the company’s core technology is designed for
fast color tuning with scalability in mind. Achieving superior throughput synthesis
and high yields of defect-tolerant perovskite nanocrystals, Nanolumi’s proprietary
continuous flow reactor system and Chameleon Film is produced through a cost
competitive manufacturing process.73

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 The use and commercialization of advanced materials can indeed help us address some of the
world’s most pressing challenges. Boosting business growth, materials that are commercially
applied for good will have a major beneficial impact. On a global scale, both public and private
organizations are now more willing to invest in this tech area.They are dedicating resources to
research and developing advanced materials that produce and commercialize higher quality finished
products.74 With newly developed advanced materials that are highly functional, smart businesses
across industries are successfully improving their processes and manufacturing methods.This rising
implementation of new materials in areas such as manufacturing processes in healthcare, energy,
and environment have led them to be incredibly useful and essential for achieving the SDGs as well
as for economic growth.

GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Let us mention, first and foremost, that the potential of the advanced materials market may be
bigger than nearly any other SDG growth lever. As evidenced throughout this chapter, the materials
industry is pervasive and wide-ranging, with solutions addressed in a variety of sectors. From
energy efficiency applications to structural building enhancements, medical healthcare initiatives to
parts manufacturing, and agriculture to fashion, new materials can catapult products and services
into unexplored realms.This immense potential points to two factors for materials in the market:
1) the tech is comprised of its own unique growth capabilities and 2) business opportunities for
the tech abound in a vast sphere of possibilities. In exploring these concepts, we consider six
overarching domains of impact: amping up the energy industry, revitalizing manufacturing processes,
fostering health and wellbeing, augmenting food and agriculture, building better infrastructure, and
enhancing textile and fashion production.

AMPING UP THE ENERGY INDUSTRY

Global energy consumption is rapidly increasing due to the rising middle class, saturation of
new electrical devices, and global warming.These factors give rise to more intensive demands
on worldwide power generation and services. Advanced materials play a fundamental role in
achieving a more efficient energy supply based on renewable resources. By developing advanced
materials usage that avoids rare, expensive, or toxic elements, the economy moves forward with
the underlying foundation of recycling and reusing raw materials. Scientists and technicians are
developing new materials to bolster renewable energy. One of the benefits it will bring is to help
curb the accumulation of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and associated global warming.We
have already seen commercialization take place for photovoltaic cells that convert solar energy
directly into electricity, as well as solar cells based on crystalline silicon.

ADVANCED MATERIALS PLAY A FUNDAMENTAL ROLE IN ACHIEVING A MORE

EFFICIENT ENERGY SUPPLY BASED ON RENEWABLE RESOURCES.

Advanced materials play a vital role in the sustainable development of energy technologies
spanning storage, conversion, generation, harvest, transport, and distribution.This application will
leverage multi-disciplinary expertise to create new materials for clean energy production, storage,
and conservation as well as for environmental remediation. Advanced materials for energy systems
under development include dye-sensitized, bulk-heterojunction, and quantum-dot solar cells, which
are made using low-temperature solution processing.75 Notably, most of the focus is on halide
perovskite materials that have exceeded a power conversion efficiency of 25%.76 Furthermore, new
energy storage approaches involving advanced materials include sunlight to produce solar fuels,
where the energy is stored in the form of chemical bonds.These developments reveal there is a
rising need for materials that are capable of capturing, converting, and ultimately storing energy.
Several tech innovators are working on materials for energy efficiency initiatives in a range of

166
market growth areas. British startup Opus Materials Technologies created forward-thinking
anti-soiling and self-cleaning coatings for the aerospace, telecom, construction, mobility, marine,
and renewable energy sectors.77 The company aims to improve fuel consumption and airflow,
diminishing corrosion and optimizing materials efficiency. Additionally, Opus allows for creating
coating materials by design, and supports the establishment of the corresponding supply chain.
Other tech businesses developing surface coatings for sustainable energy include Israel-based
SolCold. Global warming and rising temperatures pose a major problem in surface-coating
applications all over the world, and SolCold has come up with a solution that will lead us towards a
more promising future. Materials science also plays a major role in batteries, which are a dominant
technology for the direct storage of electrical energy. More than electrical storage, battery
technology also supports the integration of renewable resources into the power grid.The global
battery market is showing rising growth, as it was valued at $108.4 billion in 2019 and is expected
to grow at a CAGR of 14.1% from 2020 to 2027.78 We are aware that Lithium-ion batteries are
used extensively in the increasingly popular electric vehicles.Yet, even with this progress, it remains
that over two-thirds of global energy production is rejected as waste heat.79 Within this reservoir
of discarded energy lies an untapped opportunity. Scientists at MIT’s Department of Nuclear
Science and Engineering (NSE) are involved in exploring this potential.The goal of NSE’s research
is to find materials with conversion efficiencies high enough to make thermoelectric generation
more practical.Thermoelectric generation technology offers a direct means of converting thermal
energy, including waste heat, into electricity.80 Realizing its full potential would mean opening a new
chapter in the progress of sustainability.

REALIZING THE POTENTIAL OF LOSSLESS THERMOELECTRIC GENERATION

WILL BE A NEW CHAPTER IN THE PROGRESS OF SUSTAINABILITY.

With forward-thinking movement, nanotechnology is being used in several applications to improve

the environment. For this reason, carbon storage and management have become key instruments
to mitigate climate change. It is worth noting that the carbon capture and storage market size
is projected to be worth $10 billion by 2026 at a CAGR of 11.5%.81 One objective of this
includes making renewable energy sources more cost-effective, thus the use of new nanoporous
membranes is a growing trend.This advanced material removes carbon dioxide from power plant
smokestacks by allowing molecules to flow through the nanotubes to a storage tank.The rest
of the exhaust stream, largely nitrogen, continues out the smokestack. Carbon nanotubes, unlike
other nanopores, have a very smooth inside surface.Therefore, after molecules enter the openings
of these nanotubes, they encounter less resistance and move through more efficiently.

REVITALIZING MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

The eclectic nature of advanced materials makes them an integral part of the manufacturing
process across industries and all sectors of the economy.With the rapid digitization and the
growing interconnectedness of the materials sector, the development of new materials comes in
parallel with their industrial adaptation through the 4IR technologies.These newly developed and
highly functional materials enhance businesses by improving their processes and manufacturing
methods.This rising implementation of new materials in manufacturing processes across healthcare,
energy, environment, and several other areas has led them to be incredibly useful and essential for
achieving the Global Goals. Emerging additive manufacturing facilities continue striving to evolve
beyond traditional thermoplastics and apply materials that offer greater flexibility, customization,
and functionality while producing less waste. It is relevant to discuss thermosets here, which
are polymeric materials that adopt a permanent shape upon curing.They boast a key role in the
modern plastics and rubber industries. Comprising about 20% of polymeric materials manufactured
today, with a worldwide annual production of about 65 million tons, thermosets include epoxies,
polyurethanes, and rubber used for tires.85 They are found in many products that have to be
durable and heat-resistant, such as vehicles or electrical appliances.
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32 IN BUSINESS
SOLCOLD82
Initiative: Anti-stokes fluorescence technology
Headquarters: Nes Ziona, Israel

Israeli startup SolCold has developed a surface modification innovation with a nano
filter and the new material active cooling paint. Using anti-stokes fluorescence
technology, SolCold transforms heat and radiation from the sun into a low-cost
cooling system.The startup’s technology achieves this by creating a reverse rela-
tionship between solar activity and heat transfer. SolCold’s technology is based on
the counterintuitive principle of laser cooling, in which hitting specially designed
materials with a laser can cool them with up to 150° Celsius.The sun’s rays trigger
a reaction in SolCold’s material. In turn, this converts the heat accumulated in the
object it is applied to into radiation.This radiation is then emitted in a process
called anti-stokes fluorescence, providing the cooling effect (SDG 13). SolCold’s
material basically functions as if it were a thin layer of ice that gets thicker and
cooler as the sun gets stronger.

This tech solution has far-reaching applications, from transportation and con-
struction to agriculture and textile industries (SDGs 8,9). In a $100 billion market,
SolCold’s innovation generates substantial savings in cooling costs, plus a major
reduction in energy (SDGs 7,12).This breakthrough, patented coating material
cools down objects when exposed to the sun and can be applied to anything that
needs cooling: buildings, structures, vehicles, airplanes, storage containers, military
apparatus, outdoor equipment, and more. It does not require electricity, fluids, or
moving parts. SolCold’s fully owned patented technology is registered in the EU,
USA, Australia, and China.83

Among its negotiating partners are large paint and chemical companies, airplane
manufacturers, and well-known global VCs (SDG 17). SolCold’s target market is
wide-ranging and sales of cool roof coating products for buildings alone are pro-
jected to reach a few billion dollars by 2025.Traditional reflective coating, which
merely passively reflects the sun, is used in many other markets, thus providing
SolCold with a total market potential of over $100 billion.84

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Adesso Advanced Materials has developed the epoxy resin systems Recycloset, which are
designed for applications in manufacturing the next generation of sustainable fiber reinforced
epoxy composites. Recycloset reworkable epoxy resins have a fiber recovery rate of 95%,
enabling manufacturers to virtually eliminate waste.86 Adesso’s recyclable composites have
comparable thermal and mechanical properties to industry-standard non-recyclable thermoset
composites. Further, the tech company has achieved a comparable cost structure of recyclable
formulated resins, which allows the industry to manufacture green recyclable composites with
comparable costs and profits.Water filtration and energy storage are the two major applications
for nanomaterials; both address some of the world’s greatest challenges and have enormous
market potential.87 Indian bio compound startup Mynusco creates sustainable solutions through
biodegradable and recyclable compounds based on agricultural waste and renewable resources.

Although new materials have traditionally been difficult to dispose of and recycle, not to mention
hard to integrate into existing systems, businesses are utilizing this tech in manufacturing
innovations more than ever before. MIT chemists have now developed a way to modify thermoset
plastics with a chemical linker that makes the materials much easier to break down yet still retain
the mechanical strength that constitutes their useful qualities.88 Top tech university researchers
have produced a degradable version of a thermoset plastic called polydicyclopentadiene (pDCPD).
This can be broken down into a powder, and then the powder is used to create more pDCPD. A
true embodiment of upcycling, this recycled material has thermomechanical properties that exceed
those of more traditional manufacturing substances.89 There are several foreseeable opportunities
for energy-efficient manufacturing of multifunctional pDCPD materials.

Also notable as an advanced material for sustainable manufacturing is the previously discussed
graphene. Ionic Industries is another company bridging the gap between graphene research and
its commercial applications.The Australian business incorporates the expertise of graphene
and graphene oxide manufacturing.The company specializes in graphene additives for water
treatment and nanofiltration, as well as for energy storage. Building on partnerships and technology
innovations, Ionic has secured $3.4 million in R&D funding and is one of the first companies
to demonstrate the large-scale, commercially viable application of graphene technologies in
manufacturing.90 Its collaborative model reduces technology validation risks and accelerates paths
to market, thereby reducing uncertainty and business risks and expanding the market potential.

THE GLOBAL RECYCLABLE THERMOSETS MARKET WAS VALUED AT $1.2

BILLION IN 2020 AND WILL GROW WITH A CAGR OF OVER 2% FROM 2020 TO
2027.91

FOSTERING HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Advanced materials play a significant role in developing minimally invasive and personalized medical
treatment. As medical technology companies increasingly outsource the design and development
of new medical products, a variety of new materials are being introduced that offer additional
opportunities for businesses to grow in this market.92 Note that Biomaterials are in the same
category as new materials since they have been engineered to be compatible with biological tissues
and organs (muscle, bone, pancreas, or heart).The events of the past few years due to COVID-19
have accelerated digital transformation in the healthcare sector, and organizations at the forefront
of technological advancements have seen significant returns on investments as a result.

One popular innovation driving this growth, which also improves outcomes and reduces costs,
has been the effort to utilize new materials to make devices and implants smaller. For example,
there is strong growth in minimally invasive implants and techniques, such as laparoscopic surgery

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33 IN BUSINESS
MYNUSCO93
Initiative: BioDur and BioPur
Headquarters: Bangalore, Karnataka India

Mynusco, meaning “subtract the harm caused on our ecology” formerly known as
Spectalite, is a Bengalore-based biomaterials company, established with the vision of
assisting companies and consumers reduce their carbon footprint (SDG 13).94 The
Indian bio compound startup assists the automotive, logistics, packaging, hospital-
ity, and consumer goods industries with their sustainability objectives.95 Mynusco
produces biodegradable and recyclable compounds based on agricultural waste
and renewable resources.The startup’s products contribute to conserving natural
deposits and forests, while also ensuring scalability and adaptability for existing
manufacturing processes (SDG 15). Mynusco Founder and CEO Mahadev Chikkan-
na says “Biocomposites made from crop waste, for example, eliminate a harmful in-
dustrial age agricultural practice of stubble burning, yielding a material that matches
plastic in durability and versatility, while at the same time being climate-friendly and
eco-friendly. It benefits farmers, industry, and the community (SDGs 2,11).”

Mynusco develops biomaterials platform for the circular bioeconomy, where they
help companies choose from their wide range of biomaterials, develop new materi-
als, design products with circular principles, convert materials into finished prod-
ucts, and assess lifecycle impact of the products (SDG 12).They are the world’s
first biomaterials company to use AI to choose the right biomaterial for diverse
needs and to use blockchain to track the carbon footprint and resource steward-
ship across the product lifecycle (SDG 9).With more than 1000 biomaterials to
choose from, Mynusco has helped companies across automotive, consumer goods,
furniture, personal care, packaging and hospitality sectors to implement circular
solutions with their biomaterials platform.Thus, materials are delivered as bio com-
pounds suitable for manufacturing processes.Their BioDur and BioPur materials
are 100% biodegradable with up to 100% bio-content.

BioDur:96 Biocomposites made with fast renewable starch, bamboo, rice husk,
coffee husk and olefin-based binders that are either bio-based or recycled.They are
used for manufacturing sustainable durable products across automotive, house-
ware, furniture, toys, and more. Benefits of BioDur include reduced CO2 emissions,
affordable sustainability, and light weight with better properties.

BioPur:97 Biocomposites made with compositable binders and fast renewable

resources.They are used for disposable and packaging products that need to bio-
degrade in home or industrial compost. Benefits of BioPur include reduced CO2
emissions, prevent pollution, and drop-in solution to replace plastics.

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and robotic surgery.This approach leads to faster patient recovery times, less scarring (smaller
devices mean the incision can be smaller), shorter hospitalization, and a lower total cost of care.98
Miniaturized medical devices for the targeted delivery of drugs, or undergoing localized surgery,
rely heavily on the ability to produce small-scale objects that can autonomously perform such tasks
in living organisms.

UTILIZING NEW MATERIALS TO MAKE DEVICES AND IMPLANTS SMALLER

IS AN INNOVATION DRIVING GROWTH IN MINIMALLY INVASIVE AND
PERSONALIZED MEDICAL TREATMENT, IMPROVING QUALITY AND REDUCING
COSTS.

Realization of this type of micro-device or nanorobots is primarily based on materials. In other

words, these devices must be made of advanced materials that allow them to self-propel and
move in a programmable way to navigate effectively in the human body. Medical devices must
also be made of materials that can sense stimuli. One materials solution worth mentioning
here is chemical gradients released by damaged tissue or temperature gradients generated by
inflammation possessing the ability to react to the stimuli without external intervention.To
develop smaller medical devices and minimally invasive techniques, medical device companies are
searching for biomaterials that reduce size without compromising strength, durability, flexibility, and
biocompatibility.99 This has led to the increased use of ultra-high polyethylene fiber, a material that
performs better than alternatives such as steel, polyester, and nylon fibers.

Nanomedicine is another application of nanotechnologies for healthcare. It uses the properties

shown by materials at the nanometric scale (10-9 m), which often differ in terms of their physics,
chemistry, or biology from the same material at a bigger scale. Nanomedicine has the potential
to enable early detection and prevention and to drastically improve the diagnosis, treatment,
and follow-up of many diseases, including cancer. Nanomedicine now has hundreds of products
under clinical trials, covering all major cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, musculoskeletal, and
inflammatory diseases. Enabling technologies in all healthcare areas, nanomedicine is already
accounting for more than 80 marketed products, ranging from nano-delivery and pharmaceutical to
medical imaging and diagnostics.100

THE GLOBAL NANOMEDICINE MARKET WAS $112 BILLION IN 2019 AND IS

REACHING $261 BILLION IN 2023, AT AN ANNUAL GROWTH RATE OF 12%.101

One important application of nanotechnology in healthcare is that it considerably accelerates the

growth of regenerative medicine. Regenerative nanomedicine is focused on developing and applying
new treatments to heal tissues and organs and restore function lost due to aging, disease, damage,
or defects. OPER Technology, a startup from Hong-Kong, develops technology in nanomaterial-
based personalized and regenerative medicine.102 This tech startup’s innovations improve health
and extend the life of patients with incurable diseases through real-time monitoring that enables
specific cell harvests in complicated systems in the body, cell engineering, and drug delivery to
specific cells in the body. Also in nanomedicine is business growth based on research and education.
The joint Center of Excellence in Nanomedicine (CENM) at King Saud University in Saudi Arabia
conducts research that applies the tools of polymer chemistry and nanotechnology to medical
challenges.

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34 IN BUSINESS
CENTER OF EXCELLENCE IN NANOMEDICINE (CENM)103
Initiative: King Saud University nanomedicine research partnership
Headquarters: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

The joint CENM is a partnership between researchers at several Saudi research

institutions, including King Saud University, King Abdulaziz City of Science and
Technology, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, and the University
of California, San Diego (SDG 17).104 CENM research applies the tools of polymer
chemistry and nanotechnology to medical challenges such as disease drug deliv-
ery, disease detection, and stem cell-based therapies (SDGs 3,9). In the process,
collaboration across continents strengthens the research infrastructure in Saudi
Arabia by providing training opportunities for Saudi scientists and sharing technical
expertise (SDG 4,10). Highlighting the importance of this materials tech research
area, the global nanomedicine market was over $112 billion in 2019 and is reaching
$261 billion in 2023, at an annual growth rate of 12%.105

There is a growing number of initiatives on nanotechnology research, education,

and industry launched by several Arab countries.The region’s leaders recognize the
importance of harnessing nanomedicine and are investing heavily in materials for
HealthTech.106 The Saudi healthcare market generated approximately $464 million
in 2022 and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 12.79% until 2025.107

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Many large corporate entities have a stake in nanomaterials science. Multinational conglomerate
Honeywell, with performance materials and technologies as one of its primary business areas,
created an ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber.108 This material is often
used in smaller medical devices or implants. It is strong enough to be used to suture bones,
but also flexible for enabling surgeons to navigate sutures through narrow openings. In addition
to greater strength and flexibility, the UHMWPE fiber is thinner and has lower friction and
higher resistance to chemicals, fatigue, and abrasion than many alternative fibers. As an inert
and hypoallergenic material, UHMWPE also avoids the health risks of alternative fibers, such as
infection and pain caused by fibers disintegrating over time and entering a patient’s bloodstream.
Companies like Honeywell are manufacturing UHMWPE using a patented gel-spinning process.The
global UHMWPE market is forecasted to reach $4.23 billion by 2026.109

AUGMENTING FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

Food shortages are addressed with materials science in a range of business applications. Roughly a
third of all the food produced around the world goes to waste, which amounts to about 1.3 billion
tons per year adding up to approximately $1 trillion.110 The number of people affected by hunger
globally rose to as many as 828 million in 2021, an increase of about 150 million since the outbreak
of COVID-19 upended food supply chains.111 This is enough to feed two billion people.With rising
world hunger, this is truly a travesty. Even before the pandemic, over 50% of fruits and vegetables
grown in the United States were wasted, which is a significant part of a $161 billion annual national
food waste problem.112 Approximately 54 million Americans have faced food insecurity during the
pandemic, which is up by over 13 million people since 2018.113

MATERIALS SCIENCE ENABLES ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY AND

HIGHER HARVEST YIELDS.

There are several entities implementing advanced materials tech to solve these global food and
agricultural challenges. For instance, the Pangaea Ventures funded Calysta uses a FeedKind product,
a substitute for fishmeal which will lead to feeding more people with less raw usage of resources,
leveraging efficient gas fermentation.114 If used as a substitute for fishmeal, 100,000 tons of
FeedKind could replace between 420 and 450 thousand tons of wild-caught fish or the equivalent
land area of Chicago.115 StixFresh is another innovator developing a groundbreaking solution in the
form of a sticker that acts in the same way as the natural protections used by plants themselves.116
Simply sticking one to a piece of fruit can extend its shelf life by up to two weeks. Based in Hong
Kong, the tech startup uses 100% natural ingredients which replicate the antimicrobial compounds
that plants use to protect themselves against post-harvest diseases.The compounds making up
this formulation work together to create a protective layer around the fruit, slowing down over-
ripening and spoilage.117

ADVANCED MATERIALS TECH IS CREATING BUSINESS SOLUTIONS FOR

THE FOOD PRODUCED AROUND THE WORLD THAT GOES TO WASTE,
WHICH AMOUNTS TO ABOUT 1.3 BILLION TONS PER YEAR ADDING UP TO
APPROXIMATELY $1 TRILLION.118

Companies with technologies that increase agricultural production use existing resources to
provide more food to an increasing population, all the while helping to preserve vital ecosystems.
The agricultural industry is being disrupted and is transforming into a high-tech industry. In this
transformation to AgTech, there is expected to be major growth in venture capital and investment
in advanced materials for agricultural applications. As the growing number of AgTech startups and
investors shows, today’s agricultural industry is on the verge of turning into a high-tech industry.119
Of all the capital raised for AgTech in 2020, 61% was raised by just 28 companies that have each
brought in over $100 million in investor capital.120
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 The AgTech materials science venture capital movement shows surging interest in agriculture deals.
Even celebrities like Oprah Winfrey and Katy Perry are buying into the materials marketplace,
investing in Apeel Sciences which is a company developing a plant-derived shelf-life extension
product for produce.121 The California-based AgTech startup announced a new round of funding in
2021 worth $250 million.122 Most of the late-stage capital is still coming from seasoned agriculture
venture capital investors like SoftBank,Temasek, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Data
Collective, and S2G Ventures. Out of the top 25 publicly traded agriculture companies around the
world by revenue, over 50% of these firms have some sort of corporate venture capital program,
which is an important source of funding for AgTech materials startups.123 New funding for these
modes has helped drive the new materials research for food, with the future leaning towards
indoor farming and plant-based meat.

OVER 50% OF THE TOP 25 PUBLICLY TRADED AGRICULTURE COMPANIES

GLOBALLY HAVE A CORPORATE VENTURE CAPITAL PROGRAM, WHICH IS AN
IMPORTANT SOURCE OF FUNDING FOR AGTECH MATERIALS STARTUPS.124

Novel materials are key to accelerating the evolution of farming and crop nutrient management.
Mosaic, a producer and distributor of crop nutrient materials, provides feed ingredients,
concentrated phosphates, potash, and related products to agricultural customers.125 The earnings
power resulting from materials tech advancements and strong global fertilizer markets increased
Mosaic’s profits. Delivering excellent earnings for the first quarter of 2021, their revenues were
up by 28% year-over-year to $2.3 billion.126 Solvay is also a company whose technologies bring
benefits to many aspects of the agricultural sector. Solvay endeavors to address the sector’s many
challenges by promoting the advancement of sustainable new materials that boost production.

Another innovator in advanced materials for food, Hazel Technologies, developed biodegradable
capsules that provide control of produce freshness, eliminating waste in the food supply chain
and shrinkage for produce distributors.127 The tech business raised $87 million in growth equity
funding since its founding in 2015.128 Its packaging insert for bulk boxes of produce after harvest
emits methylcyclopropene gas to inhibit ethylene, which plants produce as they age. Hazel’s
products were used on over 6.3 billion pounds of fresh produce, preventing more than 500 million
pounds of food from going to landfill.129 Hazel aims to increase its commercial distribution to at
least 15 countries by 2025 and invest in product development.130

BUILDING SMART INFRASTRUCTURE

Currently, trillions of dollars are being spent on smart cities.The most exciting part being the
use of advanced materials, valued as a $400 billion opportunity.131 This means new and advanced
materials are urban regions’ biggest enabler, with information and computer technology dropping
to an important supporting role.132 Multifunctional infrastructure, equipment, and materials are
making independence possible in cities by providing citizens with energy, food, and water with
zero emissions as well as greater security and empowerment of the disadvantaged. Analysts have
identified more than fifty gaps in the market for smart city materials, many of which can create
billion-dollar businesses, including photovoltaic paint that is non-toxic, solar roads, wave power,
self-healing vehicle bodywork, making and storing electricity, solid-state LIDAR, and lithium-metal
batteries.133 New and advanced materials have the potential to be more sustainable and profitable.

ADVANCED MATERIALS INFRASTRUCTURE FOR SMART CITIES IS VALUED AS

A $400 BILLION OPPORTUNITY.134

Replacing traditional concrete with green concrete is an important scope of the materials
infrastructure market.With about 10 billion tons of concrete produced every year, it is one of

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the most consumed substances in the world - second only to water. Over 70% of the world’s
population lives in a concrete structure.135 Green concrete is a form of eco-friendly concrete
that requires less energy for production and is manufactured using waste from residual materials
from different industries. Compared to traditional concrete, it produces less carbon dioxide, and
is considered cheap and more durable. Further, green concrete uses fewer natural resources while
increasing dependency on recyclable materials. Partial replacement of energy-consuming cement
with reusable materials is among the best strategies used to achieve eco-friendly construction
material.136 Cement can be replaced with substances such as fly ash, silica fume, and wood ash.

Conventional materials augmented for enhanced performance are also integral to business growth
in infrastructure. In this context, a $35 billion market is to be expected ahead for advanced
materials providing ubiquitous photovoltaic power infrastructure that the usual silicon cannot
serve.137 This market includes advanced flexible organics, membranes, bioplastics, polymers,
thermal insulation, 2D and 3D molecules, graphene, and materials for 5G, 6G, and THz electronics.
Glass products for windows in buildings also assist in conserving and producing energy, as well as
delivering many benefits to sustainable infrastructure design. Global materials company AGC solves
infrastructure energy challenges with its cutting-edge glass technology.138 AGC advanced materials
applications for glass provide unique aesthetic, technical, and energy properties that inspire aspects
of both sustainability and comfort.

Air pollution poses environmental and economic challenges in cities that technology can help
overcome. According to the World Health Organization, 80% of the people living in the city are
breathing polluted air, and these pollution levels are increasing faster than ever.139 Special buildings
constructed using new smog-eating concrete help neutralize the pollutants in the atmosphere,
which we discussed in the beginning of this chapter.140 Pollutants emitted by the vehicles and
industries can be neutralized by this smog-consuming concrete. Another example of this features
Mexico’s Manuel Gea González Hospital. Mexico is a densely populated country and has high
air pollution levels.The façade is spread over an area of 2,700 square feet and counteracts the
pollutants emitted from at least 1,000 cars per day.141 Apart from providing clean air to the
patients inside the hospital, this advanced materials outer layer also acts as a natural light filter and
solar blocker, thus keeping the hospital cool and reducing energy bills.

ENHANCING TEXTILE AND FASHION PRODUCTION

The global textile market was valued at approximately $1 trillion in 2021 and is anticipated to grow
at a 4% CAGR from 2022 to 2030.142 In recent years fashion has led the textile market, accounting
for more than 73% of the global revenue share in 2021 due to increased consumer spending on
clothing and apparel. As the global textile industry continues to grow, there is an increased demand
for apparel from the fashion industry and eCommerce sales.This trend is generating greater
demand for raw materials, novel applications, and new production processes.143

Advanced materials in the fashion industry are sustainable and replace non-sustainable ones, such
as leather and other nanotechnology biofabrics.The major business-driven sustainability initiatives
exhibited across the industry include circular fashion and closed-loop systems.Water use, for
example, has been targeted as an area for improvement both economically and environmentally.
It takes over 700 gallons of water to produce one cotton t-shirt.144 It is not surprising then that
addressing inefficiencies in textiles would play a major role in solving the world’s water crisis.This
excessive water consumption is just one aspect of the problem, though. Many textiles produced
are not even used - an estimated $120 billion of unused fabric sits in warehouses annually.145

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SOLVAY146
Initiative: Biopesticide solutions
Headquarters: Brussels, Belgium

Solvay’s powerful chemical formulations are geared toward sustainable solutions

suited for crop protection (SDG 2).With green substances as building blocks
for sustainable agriculture, Solvay offers a broad portfolio of advanced materials.
AgRHO S-BoostTM, a biostimulant derived from natural guar beans, helps crops
germinate faster and grow stronger. It favors water and nutrient uptake with its
unique mode of action, and it can reduce synthetic fertilizer use by up to 13% while
optimizing water usage (SDGs 6, 12).147

One of their novel products, exemplified in the development of Soprophor, is an

industry-leading standard in crop dispersion, emulsification, and wetting (SDG 6).148
It comes in wax form and is engineered using hydrophilic, multipurpose nonion-
ic tristyrylphenol surfactant for emulsification and dispersion. As part of Solvay’s
Biopesticide Formulation Solutions, Soprophor is combined with the company’s
other material products that are specifically developed to address the challenges
of formulating microorganisms (SDG 9). Related to their characteristics and mode
of action, these specialty bioinsecticides and biofungicides require specific formula-
tion types and functionality to ensure an optimized shelf-life and deliver biological
viability.149

Using living microorganisms and natural substances, biopesticides prevent or re-

duce damage from pests, weeds, and pathogens, emerging as one of the most prom-
ising tools to empower a sustainable future of agriculture (SDGs 11, 15). Increased
adoption of biopesticides is also a way for the agricultural market to respond to
consumer demands for organic and residue-free food.This rise in environmentally
aware consumers and increasingly stringent regulatory requirements continue to
drive the agriculture market shift for Solvay from synthetic conventional pesticides
to biological pest control. Solvay’s chemical sales in 2021 reached $13.5 billion.150

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THE GLOBAL TEXTILE ENZYMES MARKET WAS VALUED AT $178.3 MILLION
IN 2019, AND IT IS EXPECTED TO REACH $209 MILLION BY THE END OF 2027,
GROWING AT A CAGR OF 2.3% FROM 2021 TO 2027.151

What makes the sustainability projection even bleaker is that the production of textiles involves
a long chain of resource-intensive, complex processes to convert raw materials such as fibers or
petroleum into finished fabrics or fashion products. Enzymes are highly specific biocatalysts found
within the cells of all living organisms.They offer the possibility of manufacturing textiles using
simpler and less severe processing conditions with a non-toxic and eco-friendly component.152
Enzymes have the capacity to reduce the consumption of chemicals, energy, and water, as well
asreduce the generation of waste. Specifically, they are used extensively in textile processing,
primarily for de-sizing and bio-polishing of various types of fabrics, including cotton-based ones.
Changing fashion fads and rising disposable incomes of young adults worldwide are trends driving
the expansion of the textile enzymes market.The global textile enzymes market was valued at
$178.3 million in 2019, and it is expected to reach $209 million by the end of 2027, growing at a
CAGR of 2.3% from 2021 to 2027.153

THE TEXTILE INDUSTRY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR 10% OF GREENHOUSE GAS

EMISSIONS AND 20% OF WASTEWATER PRODUCTION GLOBALLY.154

The need for textile companies to alter their approach to manufacturing and production by
implementing sustainable materials is on a drastic rise.This need becomes stark when we realize
the textile industry is responsible for approximately 10% of greenhouse gas emissions and 20%
of wastewater production globally.155 Therefore, businesses are proactive in developing fibers and
yarns as innovative solutions to address the growing demand for more sustainable systems.156
Plant or fruit materials that replace more energy intensive fabrics, such as leather, are also starting
to gain traction. Let’s look at Piñatex “leather” made from pineapple leaves at the Hilton Bankside
Hotel in London.

There has been a strong push to develop natural, environmentally sustainable fibers, as clothes
made from artificial fibers release environmentally harmful particles into waterways via washing
machines. One such natural advanced material is Lyocell, which is raw material cellulose from
wood pulp.157 Lyocell is sold under the trade name Tencel owned by Austrian company Lenzing. 158
The fibers of this product are biodegradable and compostable, and the production process has a
low environmental footprint.Wastewater is recycled, and no toxic chemicals are used. Researchers
have also used 3D printing to craft a tough, sustainable material from algae that could be used to
make clothes and labels.159 Because this material is contrived of living, breathing algae, clothing
made from it would be photosynthetic, absorbing carbon dioxide from the air and breathing out
oxygen just like plants. Engineers developing materials science continue to have an impact on the
textile and fashion industry as we focus on sustainability, create new materials, and find ways to
incorporate the latest technologies into the clothes we wear and products we use.

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36 IN BUSINESS
ASAHI GLASS COMPANY160
Initiative: SunEwat solar panels for Hikari
Headquarters:Tokyo, Japan

Established in 1907 as the first flat glass producer in Japan. Asahi Glass Compa-
ny (AGC) group has evolved into a world leading solutions company in materials
industries - glass, chemicals, and ceramics.161 SunEwat is part of the group’s Active
Glass for photovoltaics-embedded glass solutions, developed in partnership with
solar providers (SDG 17).162 SunEwat produces environmental performance and
efficiency ratings consistent with zero-energy building standards (SDG 13).

AGC’s vision of creating materials for the first positive-energy mixed-use build-
ing in Europe has been brought to life through Hikari.The Hikari project in Lyon,
France remains the first positive energy infrastructure in the country, combining
offices, shops, and housing spanning three city blocks (SDGs 9,11).163 The 12,800
m² complex is designed by Japanese architect Kengo Kuma and is made up of three
buildings. Photovoltaic panels are located on the southern façade to benefit from
seasonal light energy, covering 400 m2 with an electrical yield over 20 years of
26,560 kWh per year (SDG 7).164

Hikari means “light” in Japanese and everything in the project is designed to let
natural daylight filter into the spaces to “improve the mood and lift the spirit.”165
Even more, the pioneering eco-friendly buildings generate more energy than they
consume (SDG 12). By storing and pooling the energy produced, Hikari is able to
provide its own energy.The innovative advanced materials-enhanced glass panes
with embedded photovoltaic cells do the same job as the solar panels often seen
on roofs, except they are part of the very fabric of the building.

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ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD
New or advanced material market insertion has been known to be a time-consuming and costly
endeavor, typically taking 15 to 20 years for successful entry.166 Where materials are too difficult
or expensive to produce, new methods or equivalent materials will be needed. At the same time,
new or replacement materials will have to conform to increasingly stringent and broadening
environmental impact restrictions. Advanced materials often drive device and system performance
augmentation and reliability by reducing product weight and enhancing functional capabilities.
However, these materials have historically been both sometimes financially burdensome and not
readily available to manufacturers. New and advanced material development to increase device
performance is becoming more prevalent, but this process has challenges we must navigate too.

Substantial technological and commercialization risks make it difficult for new materials to
make the journey from the lab to industrial-scale production and the markets. Developing new
materials is heavily science-based and requires much investment before a commercial stage is
viable. Not many companies have that type of financial reach.Thus, science, governments, business,
and foundations must collaborate to accelerate new materials coming into the marketplace and
leverage their impact to achieve the SDGs.

This includes understanding material interface issues, adhesion, stress, and cross-contamination.
Material handling challenges are a risk too.167 Different chemicals that are required to clean or
prepare advanced materials to reduce defects and improve their operational yield see increasing
contamination that can be introduced in the product stream. For example, toxic chemicals are used
at high temperatures to produce graphene, which often results in the material containing signs of
some poisonous qualities.168 Advanced materials undoubtedly have the potential to spur advances
in a variety of sectors, from transport to medicine to electronics, but they are often resource-
intensive and expensive to produce. In addition to the previously mentioned possibility of concerns
over graphene toxicity, the costs of the material remain high.

TECHNOLOGICAL AND COMMERCIALIZATION RISKS MAKE IT DIFFICULT FOR

NEW MATERIALS TO MAKE THE JOURNEY FROM THE LAB TO INDUSTRIAL-
SCALE PRODUCTION AND MARKETS.

Nanomaterials are another new material to mention here as they are going to affect several
aspects of human life, so it will be important to consider and mitigate detrimental effects.The
downsides to these high-tech materials that currently exist are part of the reason the use of
nanotechnology at a larger scale is not being encouraged more. Apart from lung damage, there
are other notable side effects of nanoparticles. Persistent insoluble particles in the environment
can have far bigger negative effects than those revealed by human health assessments.169 There is
still very little awareness about the side effects of nanotechnology, and there is a need for further
research in this area.While nanomaterial technology holds immense potential, it requires a lot
of caution, as its implications could be dangerous in the form of atomic bombs or weapons of
biological warfare.

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37 IN BUSINESS
ANANAS ANAM170
Initiative: Piñatex for Hilton London Bankside Hotel
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

The world’s first vegan hotel suite opened at the Hilton Bankside London, featuring
Piñatex as its core material in 2019.171 The suite features a large bedroom, sitting
area, and bathroom. Piñatex is used throughout the suite, including the headboard
in the bedroom and cushions in the sitting room which feature stylish embroidered
pineapples (SDGs 9,11). Piñatex also covers armchairs, poufs, and even the hotel
room key card is made from the sustainable leather.The suite was designed by
Bompas and Parr, in consultation with The Vegan Society.172 This novel approach
to sustainable luxury upholstery is drawing new business and revenues, with suites
selling for over $1200 per night.173

Piñatex is the pioneering plant-based textile made by Ananas Anam. It is a material

made from the leaves of pineapples grown in the Philippines.174 The leather substi-
tute can be used as a sustainable and natural alternative to leather for the foot-
wear, fashion, home accessories, and interior markets. Its production is much more
sustainable than traditional leather and free of animal products. Piñatex is made of
up to 95% renewable resources and uses no hazardous chemicals in its production,
100% vegan and cruelty free, and made from plant waste preventing equivalent
to 12kg CO2 from being released into the atmosphere per linear meter of vegan
leather (SDGs 6,7,13).175 The leather requires less water and contains no harmful
chemicals ecologically toxic to wildlife. Any leftover leaf waste is recycled and used
for fertilizer or biomass.

Following a range of fashion collaborations, including with Nike, Ananas Anam

recently signed an agreement with Dole Sunshine Company – the world’s largest
producer of fruit and vegetables - to source raw material for its next-gen materials
(SDGs 12,17). “At Ananas Anam, we aim at meeting the challenges of our times by
developing innovative products in which commercial success is integrated with, and
promotes, social, ecological and cultural development,”176 said Dr, Carmen Hijosa,
Founder and Chief Creative and Innovation Officer at Ananas Anam.

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 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
Beyond the traditional materials that have followed us into the 4IR, advanced materials surpass
mere utility and focus on design, ergonomics, economics, and the ecology of a substance.We have
imagined an era of advanced materials as a force for good in urban infrastructure. As evidenced
by history time and again, breakthrough materials technologies have the power to set us on a new
trajectory toward a more sustainable and productive architectural future. Not only do materials
sciences offer unprecedented opportunities to reimagine buildings and their functionality, but the
construction sector will expand in scope based on new and improved business models.

The field of materials science and engineering has many exciting applications on the horizon
that are promising to improve the world as we know it.These changes are observed in the fields
of healthcare, manufacturing, food and agriculture, cities and infrastructure, textiles and smart
fashion, and many others. New and advanced materials provide businesses with unprecedented
opportunities to manufacture products and incorporate services from the enormous largescale to
the miniscule nanoscale.The sphere of not only animate but inanimate objects, too, is experiencing
an upgrade like no other, owing to the amazing abilities of materials as a force for good.

Imagine the possibilities of improving our world by way of materials.Throughout history, some
of the most impactful changes or breakthroughs have had to do with materials. Moving forward,
advanced materials will become one of the most effective catalysts across numerous business
sectors and industries as we move toward a collective sustainable future.This tech provides
revolutionary innovations that steer the world toward a better future for all.

We have imagined Advanced Materials for Good.

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 EXTENDED REALITIES 6

LET US IMAGINE ANOTHER WORLD.

EXTENDED REALTITIES EXPAND OUR
PERCEPTION OF REALITY.

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 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine taking a virtual trip around the globe and expanding our awareness to see things that were
out of view before.Technology has the capability to move us into new worlds and transform our
lives. Unlocking new spheres of awareness for our psyche and senses, technological advancements
are revolutionizing how we experience our immediate surroundings and the universe at large.
Imagine technology shifting and enhancing the reality we have always known, and extending it into
unprecedented realms.

The ways we interact in our world are expanding. Imagine technologies in schools or
professional settings that present learning opportunities and challenge our perception of what is
possible.These educational possibilities of 4IR tech bend the confines of our human limits
and bring into focus new immersive experiences.We then find our world transformed into an
Extended Reality (XR). Although the concept of XR may have once seemed like science fiction -
if not a merely fanciful, imaginative gaming experience - it is much more than that. It is indeed
already here as our new reality.

XR transcends simply providing an escape from our routines and daily lives.This innovation is
about moving into a universe beyond our seemingly solid foundation of current life, which
could be just the answer to many of our large-scale societal challenges. It is a technology that
can do amazing things. As we extend our scope of reality, the universe becomes vaster and
more expansive than previously felt.

Let’s imagine how this technology can improve lives from the education and learning
perspective. XR creates a safe learning space in schools and universities, where students and
educators are given the opportunity to explore experiential learning methods.While improving
learning rates, XR is addressing the gap in conventional settings where learners tend to forget
approximately 70% of the content they have been exposed to within 24 hours, and nearly 90%
in a month.1 Further, research shows that when the tech is employed in classrooms, students
demonstrate improved comprehension and retention.2 XR is also a valuable tool in engaging
students who face cognitive challenges or those who respond better to alternative learning
platforms.

Extended Realities are also highly effective for training and development purposes. Companies
looking to help staff develop new skills in a safe environment are accessing the tech’s many
advantages, including knowledge retention, lower operational costs, and increased engagement.
Currently, XR is providing benefits to business training for employees to practice high-risk
activities such as machinery operation, handle fire emergencies, or deal with unhappy

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customers in an Augmented Reality (AR)/Virtual Reality (VR) simulated environment. For
schools, universities, or workforce trainings, XR technology makes learning fun, interactive, and
engaging.Whether it is learning a new language, practicing public speaking, or engaging in other soft
skills, XR technology can help.

Psychologically and physically challenged people require extra educational support, and XR
technologies are making up for the competencies they miss out on in life.The new field of VR
therapy can help these people learn to manage everyday situations, allowing them to live a more
conventionally normal life.3 VR therapy is a computer-based simulation of the world around us,
multi-sensory in nature, and provides both visual and auditory environments configurable to mimic
any setting. By using an avatar to interact with others in a simulated environment, both children
and adults are challenged and overcome their fears in a safe setting and in a way that gives them
control.This rewires the regions of the brain that relate to social skills and amplifies those areas
that relate to attention and information exchange.4

Supervised practice enabled by technology for people in situations difficult to replicate at home
or office settings is no longer mere science fiction. A research team with the Institute of
Neurosciences at the University of Barcelona has used immersive VR to observe the effects of
talking to themselves as if they were another person or a therapist. Being their own therapist
through the experience demonstrated an improvement in participants’ moods, compared to
just talking about one’s problems in a virtual conversation with pre-scripted comments.The
method will soon be used by clinicians to counsel and soothe people dealing with personal
problems.5

From school children to adult professionals, this tech is key in educating people. It can also help
both patients and doctors learn more about the symptoms of anxiety disorders and stress.
Beyond these applications, XR is equally beneficial in tackling issues like health care limitations,
climate change, and others.The endless possibilities of this whole new world will be explored
throughout this chapter.

Imagine expanding our awareness into new worlds.This is XR for Good.

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6 EXPLORING
EXTENDED REALITIES

As we embark on our collective tech for good journey, we enter into a new realm of worlds
upon worlds that enhances our reality beyond ways previously deemed possible. Expounding on
a tech as revolutionary as XR means starting from the basics.This widely integrated tech involves
computer-generated digital imaging superimposed onto our real world. More is expanded upon
about the fundamentals of the tech before uncovering the market landscape. Business opportunities
in various sectors follow the exploration of the Global Goals. Sections in this chapter show how
those affected by mental health, as well as individuals who are developmentally deprived, largely
benefit from AR/VR devices.The journey weaves the reader along a path showing how immersive
VR experiences aid in diverse experiences, from surgical operations to infrastructure planning
to gender equality promotion. Unprecedented design and development of products and services
becomes possible through XR.The mainstreaming of XR over the next decade is an exciting
prospect, but is it beneficial in all areas? While 5G is a seminal step in terms of its magnitude, the
health risks it poses can be severe. Such critical considerations, and most importantly how to
address and mitigate these risks, are discussed.

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THE TECH
Computer-generated Extended Realities (XRs) fall into three categories: Augmented Reality
(AR),Virtual Reality (VR), and Mixed Reality (MR). Although all three are similar and belong to
the same group of technologies, in addition to occasionally being used in tandem, they are
distinct. Each of these falls under the XR umbrella, yet they separately fulfill individual and
specific goals. Augmented Reality (AR), currently the most widely integrated, is computer-
generated digital imaging superimposed or overlaid onto the real world.6 It does not require a
large investment, and most of today’s mobile phones are compatible with AR systems.The
most notable mainstream AR tech applications are the popular smartphone apps Pokémon Go
game and Snapchat lenses.Virtual Reality (VR) refers to a completely computer-generated,
digital illusory reality.7 VR devices such as HTC Vive and Oculus Rift transport users into new
visual and imagined environments. As these techniques evolve, new varieties emerge, and we
get Mixed Realities (MR).

Figure 5
Mixed Reality Spectrum, based on Microsoft Learn graphic 8

Real and virtual worlds interact in the MR experience, which combines elements of both AR and
VR. One of the most notable early MR devices is Microsoft’s HoloLens, used in business for
precise, efficient, and hands-free work.9 The term Mixed Reality was introduced in a 1994 paper
by Paul Milgram and Fumio Kishino, “A Taxonomy of Mixed Reality Visual Displays.” Their paper
explored the concept of a “virtuality continuum” and the taxonomy of visual displays.10 This leads
to the concept that tech giants have called the metaverse. In early August 2021, Facebook
announced it would become a metaverse company.11 The intention is to build on top of the
existing technological infrastructure of Facebook to create a system that enables users to move
between AR,VR, and regular 2D devices.

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg has described the metaverse as an “internet that you’re
inside of, rather than just looking at.”12 Within the metaverse, users can socialize and interact
with the world around them through digital avatars. XRs are the future of the global workforce
and the next big computing platform.13 The technology behind XRs is not new, though the
computing power that renders them commercially viable has more recently developed.14 It has
allowed businesses to upgrade their computing capabilities and transform the way they
operate. Facebook Reality Labs Research is already thinking ahead, building an interface for AR
and developing intuitive ways to interact and connect with people all over the world using AR-
computing-powered devices.
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 We find this technology becoming mainstream in the developed world in the same way the
Internet and mobile devices did in the past.When we use an online platform to access social
media through handheld devices, for example, we are often engaging with MR.The filters
people use on Instagram are MR experiences.Yet, way beyond recreational use, AR and VR can
influence the lives of societies all around the world. Advancements in computer vision,
graphical processing, display technologies, input systems, and cloud computing comprise the
MR tech space. Connecting people through AR,VR, and MR technologies could transform entire
societal structures, from education and healthcare to mining and tourism.

EXPANSION OF THE 5G NETWORK IS WELL UNDERWAY AND INCREASINLY

ACCESSIBLE.

In the coming years, AR and VR will be increasingly integrated into everyday life. Let’s be
mindful of the fact, though, that this implementation requires a combination of software and
hardware integrating many other technologies – including 5G for connectivity, video standards
for visualization, and AI for software algorithms.15 In order to unlock the potential of XR for the
good of the people and the planet, we would first need to build thorough and pervasive
networks for everyone. Nearly 20 countries around the globe still lack 4G connectivity, let alone
5G, thus excluding these populations from the opportunities offered by digitalization. Because
of this gap in infrastructure, the expansion of the 5G network is well underway and increasingly
more accessible.

NETWORKS
The 5G network is no longer merely a concept for XR; it is already here. 5G has emerged for XR
just as 3G did for mobile video and 4G for social media and apps.16 Enabling richer visual
content, 5G is bringing high-speed connection with greater reliability and lower latency.These
improvements are advancing the entire tech ecosystem, opening up new business
opportunities and industries, and enhancing experiences for end-users that are expected to
enable major breakthroughs in XR applications. Creating the illusion of making people feel like
they are in an entirely new digital world, hardware devices have started to trend towards
wireless technologies for headsets. Multinational tech visionary Qualcomm invented underlying
technologies that make 5G work.With its semiconductors, software, and services related to
wireless technology, Qualcomm owns several patents critical to the network that enables the
global expansion of 5G across industries.

188
QUALCOMM SNAPDRAGON XR2 5G PLATFORM
Qualcomm, headquartered in California with nearly $24 billion in revenue, is a leading wireless
technology innovator and the driving force behind the global development, launch, and
expansion of 5G.17 Qualcomm Snapdragon XR technologies and platforms provide a robust
computing power to deliver immersive AR and VR features that respond to the growing
demand of the XR ecosystem. Being the world’s first platform to unite 5G and AI, the
Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 5G Platform delivers immersive environments for sectors like
healthcare, education, and entertainment, among others.This tech enables users to explore
every angle of their virtual world in a 360° spherical view with rich 3D audio that captures the
scene in vivid sensory detail.18 In September 2020, Qualcomm Snapdragon XR2 Platform
partnered with Facebook to launch Oculus Quest 2, its next generation all-in-one VR
headset.19 It is one of the most advanced and immersive gaming VR experiences for consumers
running on the 5G network.The next generation Meta Quest Pro, also called Project Cambria, has
now already been released as well.20

The burgeoning of rapid 5G mobile networks is expected to further boost the potential of XR to
strengthen its presence in applications from work to entertainment. In combination with
upgraded cloud and 5G technology,VR and AR tools will be unrestricted by a low bandwidth to
deliver their experiences, resulting in cheaper headsets and viewing devices and more realistic
VR simulations. New wearable products will also become increasingly popular with
technological advancement. For instance, Apple launched its own set of MR glasses in 2022. As
a stand-alone device, this tech hardware will be independent of computer or phone
connectivity.21 There is great promise for these tech glasses to assist XR in breaking into the
mainstream market.22 A product like Meta glasses, which overlays AR on top of the user’s
reality, is likely to become popular as a medium for game designers.23 Based on holographic
technology, Meta glasses can identify users’ gestures to let them manipulate 3D projections of
objects.

“THE FUTURE OF PRODUCTIVITY IS SPATIAL,” SAID META WHEN

INTRODUCING THEIR AR WORKSPACE.24

Improving 5G coverage is an important aspect of XR’s development and widespread use. Los
Angeles-based tech startup BadVR is working towards their business goal to have broad
commercial impact, including the acceleration of 5G network planning and the ability to
perform real-time monitoring of large infrastructures like utility grids.The company’s product
SeeSignal specifically offers recommendations to VR headset users for 5G network availability.
This MR company’s capacity to scan spatial data for network availability offers far reaching
business benefits. Fusing VR technology with advanced visualization techniques, BadVR is
developing a new method of analysis and shaping the way future generations will analyze data (Case
38).This is possible via a proprietary VR experience that enables users virtually to step inside their
data.

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38 IN BUSINESS
BADVR25
Initiative: SeeSignal
Headquarters: Los Angeles, California USA

BadVR is an innovative VR company that has developed technologies to help ad-

dress 5G connectivity issues. By tapping into complex data spatialization, sampling
algorithms, and machine learning, BadVR’s SeeSignal Magic Leap VR headset enables
users to look around any surrounding area and study the strength of cellular phone
signals,WiFi, or Bluetooth networks.26 A user’s surrounding network data give
real-time information about the environment and nearby devices that can be lay-
ered together to explore the complex interactions between the previously unseen
digital worlds (SDG 17).This information, as displayed back to the user, is great
for businesses. Beyond only showing network signals, SeeSignal also offers recom-
mendations for ways to improve coverage (SDGs 10,11).There is potential for this
tech innovator’s 5G capabilities to revolutionize telecom planning with additional
features for handling signal measurements at scale (SDG 9).

BadVR is a platform for immersive data visualization that enables users to “see the
whole picture” and gain actionable insights into their surroundings. It also helps
companies significantly increase the value of their data by giving users the tools
they need to make faster and better decisions. “As a society, we have become
aware of the power of data and the impact it has on our lives. It’s important that
we create tools that make it easy to work with this data,” said CEO and founder
Suzanne Borders.27

The startup’s mission has broad commercial impact, including the acceleration
of 5G network planning and the ability to perform real-time monitoring of large
infrastructures like utility grids with minimal additional cost (SDG 12). By using MR
tech and machine learning, BadVR unlocks the brain’s processing potential, allowing
users to get value from their data with minimal effort or special training. By making
big data more accessible, people and companies can discover and identify hidden
problems and opportunities, as well as make better decisions, faster. Founded
in 2017, the startup has received over $3 million in funding.28

190
As of 2021, over 30% of the world’s countries have access to 5G, with China, the U.S., and South
Korea having the highest number of cities with 5G availability.29 Some estimates forecast that
by 2025, the global reach in total will be 3.6 billion 5G connections.30 The XR market holds a
promise in various countries of North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific and Japan, the Middle East,
and Africa. North America has been a dominant player in developing XR, as the region has been
attributed to the higher adoption of XR technologies in both consumer and enterprise
application segments, and Europe is generating the second-highest revenues for the tech.31

“WHEN THE INTELLIGENT CLOUD AND INTELLIGENT EDGE ARE IMBUED WITH
MR AND ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, WE HAVE A FRAMEWORK FOR ACHIEVING
AMAZING THINGS AND EMPOWERING EVEN MORE PEOPLE.”32
- SATYA NADELLA, CEO OF MICROSOFT

Every country has its own challenges related to infrastructure rollout, pricing, and access.The
complete integration of 5G networks will need hundreds of thousands more cell antennae to
carry the signals.This structure may be feasible for a metropolitan zone, but it is very costly for
rural areas. In India, for example, data costs are low, helping affordability, yet geographic
obstacles remain a major challenge with optical fiber connectivity needing to reach India’s
roughly 650,000 villages.33 There is ample room for tech to expand across the world, and
business can play a big role in accelerating this movement.

DIGITAL TWINS
Creating prototypes before the final product is critical in the manufacturing sector. Our physical
world is increasingly being designed and simulated virtually through digitalized processes that
produce a “digital twin” of a physical product before one is even created.This is done using the
3D visualization and digital mockup capabilities of AR and VR.34 Smart manufacturing using
digital mockup,VR, and AR tech applications in the 4IR are essential components of
digitalization in industry, particularly in sustainable design and manufacturing.

87% OF BUSINESS EXECUTIVES AGREE THAT MASSIVE, INTELLIGENT DIGITAL

TWINS—MODELING FACTORIES, SUPPLY CHAINS, PRODUCT LIFE CYCLES
AND MORE—ARE BECOMING ESSENTIAL TO THEIR ORGANIZATIONS’
ABILITIES TO COLLABORATE IN STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS.35

Digital mockup enables design teams to leverage advanced multi-CAD 3D visualization, large-
scale product assembly analysis, and universal collaboration to reduce and, in some cases, eliminate
expensive physical prototypes. Key enablers of the smart factory are VR and AR
devices and techniques that give companies a competitive advantage. XR tech is being used to
accelerate the product life cycle across concept, design, engineering, planning, assembly,
marketing, and sales. Many of the VR use cases are geared towards upfront definition and
inspection, whereas AR use cases are more predominantly found in assembly, manufacturing,
and service areas to improve quality and efficiency on the manufacturing floor.

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 AZURE AND CLOUD COMPUTING
With the expanding implementation of XR comes the necessity of stable cloud computing.
Cloud computing is the delivery of computing services over the Internet (the cloud).36
The special thing about cloud services is they help businesses lower operating costs, run
infrastructure more efficiently, and scale as businesses’ need change.The Azure cloud
platform comprises more than 200 products and cloud services designed to help users to solve
today’s computing challenges.37 Azure is important to XR as it facilitates the tech to build, run,
and manage applications across multiple clouds with the tools and frameworks of choice.The
tech solution boasts over 90 compliance offerings, the largest in the industry; maintains 95% of
Fortune 500 companies that trust their business on Azure; and $1 billion yearly investment in
security to protect customers’ data from cyberthreats.38

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
As early as the 1950s, examples of XR technology emerged. In 1956, cinematographer Morton
Heilig created Sensorama, the first VR machine.39 This movie booth combined 3D and color
video using stereoscopic technology with audio, aromas, and a vibrating chair to immerse the
viewer in the movie. Heilig then patented the first head-mounted display in 1960, which
combined stereoscopic 3D images with stereo sound. Also in the 1960s, computer scientist Ivan
Sutherland presented a paper outlining his concept of the “Ultimate Display,” a virtual world so
realistic that the user would not be able to differentiate it from reality.40 This is widely
considered the blueprint for modern VR, and in 1968 Sutherland created the first AR headset
called “The Sword of Damocles,” displaying computer-generated graphics that enhanced the
user’s perception of the world.41

EARLY CONCEPTS OF XR WERE IMAGINED AS CREATING A VIRTUAL WORLD

SO REALISTIC THAT THE USER WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO DIFFERENTIATE IT
FROM REALITY.

Moving into the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s new technology emerged to enhance the VR
experience.The first company to sell VR goggles and gloves,VPL Research Inc, was founded in
1985.Then along came VR arcade machines in the early 1990s, like the SEGA VR-1 motion
simulator, as affordable VR headsets were becoming available for home use as well.42 In 1998,
Sportsvision broadcast the first live American football game with the yellow yard marker
overlayed on top of the live camera feed via AR tech.This set the precedent for overlaying
graphics onto the real-world view and quickly spread to other markets.

As we are accelerating to the fast-developing 4IR, XR technologies are creating applications to

interact with smart objects and smart processes via cloud computing strategies enabled by AI
and the IoT. Smart objects and devices have the capability to analyze and communicate with
each other and their human co-workers, enabling the opportunity for smoother processes that
free up employees for other tasks. Business is being driven by processes that can now be
automated and by machines that are enabled with self-monitoring capabilities.This is possible
thanks to the updated 5G network, through which 4IR-enabled smart objects possess the ability
to be monitored, designed, tested, and controlled via their digital twins with processes and
controls that are visualized in VR/AR.

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MARKET SIZE OF XR
The COVID-19 pandemic undoubtedly forced a digitally integrated shift.With an increase in
remote work and interaction, XR has become vital for business.This new need for technologies
that enable virtual experiences has accelerated the adoption of XR, speeding up the market
trajectory for the next wave of computing. XR tech enables shared experiences over long
distances in real-time and allows for data to be accessed in a situation-based context.The
investment opportunities are boundless. Given its vast potential, XR can be applied to a
plethora of industries.With the increasing usage of smart glasses and headset displays, the
market for XR has proliferated.The devices to emerge in the coming generation will likely be
lighter and smaller, while offering an increased field of view and higher resolution displays and
cameras.

As XR profits in economically prosperous regions soar due to market friendliness to immersive

technologies, it is evident that consumers with financial means and tech knowledge are eager
to invest in the product.The XR market was valued at $42.86 billion in 2021 and is expected to
reach $465.26 billion in 2027, with a CAGR of 46.2% during 2022 to 2027.43 Ambitious
businesses eager to invest here can look forward to an improved design better suited for
wearability and use in a work environment. Commercially,VR and AR technologies first became
popular in gaming and entertainment, with over $7 billion expenditure in that sector alone back
in 2018.This is now spreading rapidly to other sectors.44 The estimated market size for VR and
AR in 2022 is $37 billion and can reach up to $114.5 billion by 2027 at a market growth rate of
25.3%.45

The convergence of the real world and simulated content has allowed MR environments to
emerge easily.The global MR market size is projected to reach $4.5 billion by 2026, from just
$196 million in 2019.46 Microsoft has been at the forefront of MR technology, using AI and the
HoloLens to assist with viewing manuals and screens directly from the job site with image and
object recognition and detection.47 This tech allows employees to collaborate on issues and
work more efficiently remotely.The development of enterprise XR solutions is overtaking that
of consumer solutions. Industries such as automotive, education, healthcare, aerospace, and
defense are significantly investing in virtual training and education solutions. For instance, in
the automotive industry, the virtual training module offers workstation training for laborers to
avoid accidents. Ford recently reported a reduction in employee injuries by 70% with the help
of virtual training sessions.48

North America is a prominent region for the XR market, most notably because it has also been a
pioneer in the adoption of innovations primarily within the United States.The adoption of AR in
healthcare is forecasted to grow quickly as well, with the value of the market increasing by 38%
annually until 2025.49 Asia-Pacific and Japan currently hold a smaller role in global XR, as the
market in this region is highly cost-sensitive, which has restricted early adoption.50 Although
other developing nations, such as India and the ASEAN countries, have a huge potential to
become important markets for XR, they remain restricted in development due to cost and
regulatory constraints.

These major market movements prove XR viewers can unlock a new generation of immersive
experiences using 5G-enabled smartphones. Some organizations that promise this are
Accenture, Qualcomm Technologies Inc., and other global operators such as Uplus, NTT
DOCOMO,Verizon, and Vodafone. Important network solutions with elements such as 5G and the
rise in mobile computing have seen significant growth in XR-based platforms in emerging regions.
The Asia-Pacific region in particular will be a growth market to watch.

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39 IN BUSINESS
JIO TESSERACT51
Initiative: Global Developer Program
Headquarters: New Mumbai, India

Jio Tesseract is India’s largest MR company.The tech leader is working towards en-
hancing and developing products that disrupt the global MR market. Its Developer
Program allows creators to build for the XR hardware and reach India’s most ex-
tensive user base, including the 5G network launched by Jio (SDGs 9,10,17).With
their built-in MR cloud for data computing that comes with the JioGlass Appstore,
the company offers customers a comprehensive package. Businesses can publish
and monetize their content on India’s biggest MR marketplace through
this Appstore. Jio’s platform offers developers the opportunity to make tech com-
panies’ content accessible to India’s largest user base, which includes 20 million
households (SDG 11).52 Engaging approximately 16 million enterprises, Jio supports
businesses by helping them improve productivity through immersive learning and

40
remote collaboration (SDGs 4,8).

SIEMENS53
Initiative:VRdirect EHS training
Headquarters: Munich, Germany

Siemens, one of the largest industrial manufacturers and most famous enterprises
worldwide, has committed to environment, health, and safety (EHS) training that
provides staff with valuable insights on underlying processes, and implements safety
measures (SDGs 3,4). Because safety measures are a crucial component in indus-
trial processes, companies are consistently looking for ways to make EHS training
more efficient. Immersive technology such as VR elevates the learning effect for
employees, helping them grasp the training content faster and apply it more confi-
dently (SDGs 10,16). Siemens has successfully implemented VR to train
its employees. By collaborating with VRdirect, Siemens created a virtual tour
through one of their industrial facilities, digitally depicting the different work envi-
ronments.54

This Siemens model that’s tackling the challenge of training staff for plant security
and occupational safety reveals the potential VR has for EHS workplace learning
purposes. One major benefit of VR solutions is that they are available via many dif-
ferent devices (SDG 9).The immersive and interactive training environment enables
active engagement with the necessary information. Overall, this tech solution is
both accessible and adaptable.With no special development skills needed for imple-
mentation, Siemens’ departments can create complete VR applications quickly and
easily on their own (SDG 12).The platform allows for broad application in several
business areas and the creation of immersive VR projects beyond virtual tours, too.
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In India, the XR spending is expected to triple in size due to market penetration, from $2 billion
in 2020 to surpassing an estimated $6.5 billion into 2023.55 Jio Tesseract and Reliance Jio, India’s
largest telecom company, launched JioGlass in 2021 as part of their journey to disrupt the
global MR market (Case 39).This is an example of a tech innovation that offers business solutions
allowing users to create a 3D hologram of any object within view.

Increase
Global XR
Up to
market of 38%
expected to annually $114.5
surpass AR in billion
expected AR/
$1 healthcare
market VR market size
trillion
forecast to by 2027.58
by 2030.56
2025.57

XR FOR GOOD
Extended realities are technological innovations that are poised to develop into the next
computing platform. As we discussed, the 5G network will significantly influence millions of
lives and benefit the whole world. Entrepreneurs and innovators in isolated or marginalized
communities need access to XR technologies also. Economic and policy incentives as well as
interventions can encourage individuals and businesses in disadvantaged locations to engage
with the opportunities brought by XR. In many cases, these communities will have the most to
gain, especially when considering the valuable skill-building, education, employment, and social
benefits the tech offers. From the business perspective, XR enables creative problem-solving to
improve efficiency and increase productivity while enhancing the customer experience.

Targeted incentives can empower people and communities to shape their own future and
ensure the development of locally relevant products, services, and business models. Most
importantly, XR presents an opportunity to create an enhanced experience to reach the Global
Goals in almost all sectors and locations.This provides an unprecedented opportunity to design
applications prompting broader societal impact. Some of the world’s greatest challenges today
can benefit immensely from the tech’s broadscale reach.59 Education is a key domain in which XR is
used for good, especially in underserved areas. For example, a notable female-founded tech
startup from Nigeria called Imisi 3D employs frontier technology solutions to create equitable
opportunities for children.

Imisi 3D provides learning and educational experiences for children through VR tools, helping to
address Nigeria’s education challenge, as well as its economy at large.The new company’s VR
solution can provide better quality education in Nigeria and have a significant impact on
educational problems such as out-of-school students with locally tailored educational VR
content. Nigeria, with support from mobile operators like Huawei and Ericsson, ran spectrum
tests for the 5G network in Abuja, Calabar, and Lagos in 2019.60 This made Nigeria the first West
African nation to initiate the 5G trial to deploy the technology towards achieving the best
benefit for the nation and driving the 4th Industrial Revolution in Nigeria.

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 XR boasts an untapped potential to increase productivity and safety in several industries, which
further makes it an attractive proposition for businesses.VR, for instance, can be used to
simulate working in dangerous environments or with expensive, easily damaged tools and
equipment, thereby eliminating the standard risks. AR communications, on the other hand, can
be beneficial in reducing the time spent by engineers, technicians, or maintenance staff
referring to manuals and looking up information online while on the job. Additionally, in AR,
natural gestures could be the underlying driver of the experience. Google’s Project Soli, a
sensing radar technology, is a perfect example of promoting touchless interactions.61 Operating
with the tap of a finger or the movements of the body, it requires minimal personal interface
with little to no visual overload.

XR BOASTS AN UNTAPPED POTENTIAL TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY

AND SAFETY IN SEVERAL INDUSTRIES, WHICH FURTHER MAKES IT AN
ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION FOR BUSINESSES.

From the health perspective, there are several ways XR is adding value as well.VR and AR
technologies are being used, along with other therapeutic techniques, to treat mental health
conditions. Most applied in the context of anxiety disorders, XR programs offer treatments for
those affected by mental illness.These technologies allow mobility, meaning treatment can take
place where it is best for the patient and help minimize the impact of their chronic condition.
One such project that addresses PTSD uses VR to send veterans back to Middle Eastern areas of
conflict, where they are guided through a virtual war simulation.62 This enables
veterans to process their trauma, helping them overcome PTSD.The project has been
considered successful due to its contributions to reduced panic attacks, facilitating greater
concentration at work, and improving sleep in patients.

The sustainability context hugely benefits from XR as well. Nestlé is an example of a company
leveraging sustainable packaging benefits, in addition to consumer engagement, that AR
technology brings.63 Connected packaging initiatives and AR are being used for spatial
storytelling, while also for informing and instructing about a brand’s purpose and sustainability.
We also have organizations such as UNICEF that are investing in MR prototypes for identifying
scalable solutions and providing the same technological advances to children from program
countries as to their peers in other regions.64

FOR TOO LONG, THE TECHNOLOGY NARRATIVE OF NIGERIA HAS BEEN ONE
OF CONSUMPTION AND NOT CREATION.

PwC in the Netherlands collaborated with a VR agency called Rooftop Immersive Studio to
develop the SDG Dome experience. Its aim is to help people grasp the urgency of the SDGs
while simultaneously showing them how new technology can offer solutions.This simulation
uses VR goggles, taking visitors on a 360-degree journey to experience the consequences of
current human activities on the planet, including the destruction of rainforests, the pollution of
drinking water, or the production of cheap goods in sweatshops.The SDG Dome has seen over
3,700 visitors ranging from students and business leaders to politicians and policymakers since
its launch in February 2019.65 XR solutions also seek to address the climate change issue by
exposing people to the conditions in different parts of the world with the most severe
environmental impacts. In terms of facing global warming, MIT’s Climate CoLab public space
called Climaure has emerged as an initiative that endeavors to inform people and build global
awareness about climate risks through personalized visualizations.

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AR IMMERSION FOR PUBLIC GOOD: CLIMAURE – MIT CLIMATE COLAB66
As an AR public space installation setup, Climaure provides an immersive spatial view at a life-
size scale of the environment around participants inside a cubicle booth. Physical movements
from users inside the installation control the interactions, allowing the study of local residents’
behaviors and analyzing their lifestyle habits. Such analysis can produce narratives that could be
tailored to the specific audience to thus evoke the maximum sense of urgency to address the
issue of climate change.What this AR application achieves is a personal level of connection to
the climate change issue. Being able to see, feel, and hear a future environment, the participant
is sensitized to climate change and resonates with a strong message. Climaure offers content
and interactivity that exposes people to dire scenarios like rising sea levels, storms, acid rains,
poisonous smog, floods, heat waves, and extreme weather scenarios. It is part of Climaure’s
plans to deploy AR installations at specific public spaces with high population densities for
maximum impact, including in Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, the United States,
and India.

Corporations are using XR in innovative ways often for twofold purposes: to enhance their
market value and to manage employee satisfaction.VR technology allows users to interactively
experience virtual surroundings, prompting technology to create virtual simulations for training
and onboarding purposes, and for actual simulations of real circumstances. For this reason,
Siemens, with more than 300 production and manufacturing facilities, and over 385,000
employees, is utilizing VR throughout their line of business to ensure the safety and health of
their employees (Case 40).

XR PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS

Bringing together the right skills and knowledge in a diverse world has been made easier
thanks to XR. In addition to promoting greater awareness in several sectors, and allowing
access for expertise to be shared regardless of location, XR also has the potential for easing
pain and addressing healthcare solutions through business service applications. Creating new
business opportunities in various sectors that are not locationally determined, XR is altering
how city infrastructure is designed and much more. Stepping into this parallel reality – an
extended reality - we are experiencing a major market disruptor and a huge platform for business
opportunities.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

This benefits from extended realities, as the tech presents highly effective solutions
in the medical and healthcare sectors. One of the ways in which AR is already being
used is for disseminating educational materials for medical professionals and patients,
such as simulations for surgeries and diseases to enhance patient treatments.We
have the example of AccuVein, which uses projection-based AR, designed to scan a patient’s body
and show doctors the exact location and status of veins.This improves the injection of the vein on
the first try by 3.5 times and reduces the need for further assistance or complications
by 45%, saving hospitals an average of over $350,000 per year.67

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 In Brazil, doctors developed a project called VR Vaccine using VR to encourage children not to
fear vaccinations.This involves children wearing a VR headset and watching an animated
adventure story while a nurse synchronizes administering the injection with the story. Brazilian
pharmacy chain Hermes Pardini has adopted this VR approach, which proved to be a very
successful endeavor.The company has since installed VR headsets in all of its pharmacies to
help with its vaccine campaigns.VR has also contributed to adult patients staying calm and
relaxed during surgery. At St George’s Hospital in London, patients were given the option of
using a VR headset before and during their operation, resulting in 94% of VR-choosing patients to
feel more relaxed and 80% to have less pain.68

QUALITY EDUCATION
XR technologies find applications in education for school age students (science, math,
and languages) and workplace training (surgery, disaster response, and maintenance
of power plants).69 The COVID-19 pandemic especially illuminated the urgent need
to recreate the education sector by moving to robust digital frameworks for remote
teaching and learning.This is one of the reasons the International Telecommunication Union (ITU)
and UNICEF launched the Giga project to expedite digital transformation in education, including
connecting all schools to relevant AR/VR content by 2030.70 XR solutions prove to be useful in
communications education, too.These applications range from learning languages to practicing
professional public speaking.VR educational software companies like Mondly provide immersive
language-learning experiences without needing participants to travel to a foreign country. Mondly’s
VR worlds offer interactive conversations with real people, using cutting-edge technologies to
teach 33 languages and improve business communication skills. MondlyWORKS, specifically, is a
language solution for businesses with a global impact that increases productivity, fosters internal
collaboration, and attracts and retains top talent.71

GENDER EQUALITY
XR technologies are useful for promoting this by reducing bias and enhancing
empathy.72 Through simulated environments that bring awareness to important
issues like women’s rights, XR may help users develop higher levels of empathy in
terms of acceptance in real world applications.73 REM5, a VR Lab, utilizes immersive
technology to allow students, teachers, artists, and community groups to explore a range of
subjects.These include racial and gender bias which can be simulated. For example, REM5 can
show what it’s like to be a woman in a meeting full of men.74 This technology could also have very
impactful and beneficial results in terms of mitigating human rights violations like rising cases of
violence against females in underdeveloped regions.75

DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

Promoting inclusive employment and sustained economic growth through XR tech
has entered a new dimension over the past few years.This has become a focal goal
due to employees and many organizations transitioning to remote work. AR is well-
suited to help remote teams feel like they are virtually in the same space. Along with
giving employees the feeling of being more connected in meetings, the tech has also provided a
more natural environment to brainstorm and share ideas.

Workplace meeting and collaboration solutions will need an MR approach, including being
accessible on desktop, mobile, and headset platforms through both AR and VR. In addressing
this, Lenovo has created ThinkReality A3 smart glasses aimed at business travelers and remote
workers.These glasses, connected to a 5G network, are useful for work-from-home employees
who are unable to set up numerous computers or other necessary devices.76 Since the glasses are

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capable of projecting up to five virtual screens for only the user’s eyes, the tech allows for greater
productivity overall.77 Lenovo also allows VR images to be sent to others wearing the ThinkReality
A3, thus creating a multi-user collaborative experience.

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Industry, innovation and infrastructure, as well as investing in research and
development, will be critical for businesses to sustain a competitive edge. Businesses
with a vision will need to develop the right environment to support digital
transformation. During the Covid pandemic, we have witnessed how a lack of digital
networks caused widespread public service disruption, with entire economic sectors halted and
millions left unemployed.78 Without the widespread tech expansion involving 5G, the necessary
conditions for an immersive XR experience will lag behind.Thus, the American multinational
corporation Qualcomm invented the underlying technologies that are foundational for XR
proliferation.These include immersive 3D graphics, computer vision, machine learning, intuitive
security, and 5G technologies.79 Qualcomm’s research is geared toward solving industry-wide
challenges and paving the way for XR breakthroughs by working with and investing in leading
XR companies.With over 20% of revenue invested in research and development since 2006,
Qualcomm’s commitment to XR innovation is propelling the entire industry forward.80

REDUCED INEQUALITIES
XRs are being called on to equalize people across the globe to raise awareness of
and foster understanding in diverse sectors. Data points processed with AR,VR, and
MR solutions are reducing social conflicts and keeping people safe. Authentically Us,
the first documentary VR series from Facebook and Oculus, has taken an emphatic
step towards allowing viewers to enter into the lives of transgender activists who are working
to make communities safer for LGBTQ+ people everywhere.81 VR, in this case, enables viewers
to confront the everyday challenges a transgender person faces and how they campaign to live
free and equal via a 360-degree video depicting the viewpoints of three transgender identities:
transmasculine, transfeminine, and gender non-binary.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

Cities benefit from XR technologies that allow people to move through networks,
search for locations, and navigate businesses. Sustainable cities are utilizing AR and
VR, along with the location or spatial intelligence, to develop public spaces and
services through provisions like environmental preservation, good governance,
asset management, public safety and health, transportation, as well as preservation of an area’s
cultural heritage.82 Singapore has planned the Virtual Singapore project, which would serve as
a digital 3D city model. Investing $73 million in the project, the developers intend to use it as a
test by government agencies, businesses, and researchers to build a more resilient city.83 Business
analytics, resource planning, management, and specialized services are some of the ways the project
achieves its goals. Additionally, India became the first city to be designed with its digital twin using
Cityzenith’s Smart World Pro software.The program includes a digital twin user ID scheme for
every citizen that will serve as a single portal for all government information, notifications, forms,
and applications.84

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 GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING
ƒ Support and compensate for developmental and mental health
problems with AR/VR devices.
ƒ Use VR headsets to relax patients during surgical operations.
ƒ Locate patient veins through body scans with XR capabilities
for medical professionals.

QUALITY EDUCATION
ƒ Deploy training and information
services with AR/VR experiences.
ƒ Enable on-demand and remote learning
through various MR tools.
ƒ Offer VR for language learning and
public speaking practice.

DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC GROWTH

ƒ Facilitate MR remote work from home.
ƒ Build connectivity across teams, experiencing being together even when apart
through XR.
ƒ Innovate in the workplace by generating efficiencies enabled through AR/VR
solutions.

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 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ƒ Improve effectiveness and speed of design and development through
shared VR visualizations of products and services.
ƒ Expand the widespread 5G network to allow for thorough XR
market integration.
ƒ Utilize AR/VR visualization for infrastructure planning and
development.

GENDER EQUALITY EXTENDED REDUCED

INEQUALITIES
REALITIES
ƒ Promote equality
and build empathy ƒ Employ XR to help
through immersive VR equalize populations
experiences. in terms of raising
ƒ Democratize XR awareness in diverse
experiences and sectors.
provide ways to ƒ Promote empathy
explore topics like through VR
racial or gender bias. experiences that
ƒ Equalize learning by enable users to
helping students better confront the
visualize complex challenges of others.
subjects through MR ƒ Give diverse
platforms. populations equal
access to MR
services.

SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES

ƒ Optimize city design and planning.
ƒ Develop AR/VR solutions that reduce the need
for traveling by providing digital experiences.
ƒ Enable XR digital twins for prototyping for
engineering and construction efficiency.

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 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
Extended realities are on course to impact all areas of our lives. As it becomes mainstream
over the coming decade, XR will enable several disruptive business models.85 Global companies
are already making the shift to incorporate this tech into their core operational practices.
Economies are experimenting with how realities will shape the future of many sectors,
including education, commerce, manufacturing, defense, retail, and entertainment. Fortunately,
businesses are stepping up and laying the foundation for this tech to be disseminated more evenly
throughout industries.The relatively low cost of XR technologies and their computing power
allows startups to develop innovative applications, while bringing 5G network capabilities to the
global market through internet-enabled distribution platforms.86

In these ways, XR emerges as an experiential solution to sustainable business in a changing

world. XR technologies have wide-ranging impacts across sectors and value chains. In cases
where remote collaboration is required, where people are far apart or unable to travel, this
tech can make the difference between companies’ abilities to adapt successfully and their
failure to do so. Enhancing global collaboration in areas such as education, visualization, and
simulation, XR brings people together in “real-life” settings to work together and see each other
regardless of distances. Immersive learning for the future workforce is expected to be one of
the most influential and immediately applicable markets for XR business breakthroughs.

Industries with high-risk working environments, such as energy, manufacturing, or construction,

are already benefiting from XR’s immersive training offerings. Other sectors are also now seeing
the value and beginning to explore the space. XR unlocks new business value through an improved
customer experience, optimized employee

BENEFITS OF XR IMMERSIVE LEARNING87

• Medical training: University School of Medicine in Atlanta uses VR for training surgeons who
make 40% fewer mistakes than surgeons who are conventionally trained.
• Retail training:Walmart uses VR to prepare store managers for Black Friday, America’s biggest
shopping day, deploying the technology across 200 training centers for an 80% reduction in
training time.
• Outside sales rep training: United Rentals uses immersive learning to bring construction sites
into the classroom, attaining a 40% reduction in training time.

performance, and creation of new content and services.This tech gives rise to a more
connected worker dynamic where access to data and digital systems enables them to be more
efficient, accurate, and safe. AR, for example, can create an extra layer for business models that
draws in audiences through fostering engagement, empathy, and action.88 Luxury automotive
brand Audi employs VR technologies to its digital twin approach, thereby giving consumers
the ability to experience a new model of their car before even physically touching it.89 The
initiative, entitled “The Audi VR Experience”, allows customers to look at every detail of the
vehicle captured with a special 3D camera before market launch and purchase.

VR is a cost-effective method for developing products and services, and many businesses have
embraced the tech specifically for this reason. Not only does it allow for more thorough product

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testing via prototypes, but using XR as initial models also gives businesses the product information
they need without having to develop expensive physical versions. In addition, design problems can
be detected at an early stage through VR prototyping, saving time and costs.Vuzix smart glasses
are an example of a gadget that combines VR tech accuracy and human influence for the optimum
working environment in warehouses.90 For improved efficiency,Vuzix utilizes tailored information
and video recording for errors to be spotted dimmediately.These smart glasses benefit workers
greatly by bearing burdens for them, such as facilitating efficiencies that result in carrying less
equipment and leaving both hands free.

Companies are positioning themselves to take advantage of these growing trends. AR is

revolutionizing markets with AR mobile Apps being an easy way for businesses to visually
communicate objectives to customers. Clients from several industries are currently employing
AR mobile Apps in core business practices, including healthcare, education, manufacturing,
construction, retail, education, and real estate. AR is currently worth $7.05 billion in the healthcare
market, over 100 million consumers used AR to shop in 2020, and AR mobile users are expected to
reach 1.73 billion by 2024.91 SphereGen Technologies is an example of a company revolutionizing
workplace training and employee engagement through XR innovations. Creating applications using
an innovative approach to business solutions designed for multiple XR platform compatibility,
SphereGen is providing leading-edge software to create XR collaboration and visualization
experiences (Case 41).

By embracing new technologies to connect, XR experiences are popularizing and offering huge
potential for a new way of learning and working. Industry leaders are investing heavily in this
tech, and research suggests that businesses fully adopting XR technologies and innovations could
grow five times faster than those who lag.92 By experimenting with these realities and co-
creating with partners, employees, organizations, and communities, businesses will reach the next
level.

GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

XR is one of the leading tech business trends today and holds great promise to revolutionize the
way we experience products and services across different sectors.Top brands and
multinational tech giants around the world, from Microsoft and Facebook to Apple and Google,
are creating immersive digital experiences.Their efforts to meet societal demands and solve
sustainability challenges respond to target SDG growth markets by improving efficiency and
streamlining business operations.We see an increasing number of companies harnessing VR,
AR, and MR to keep up with current trends and improve consumers’ perceptions of their brands
and increase their market share.There are likely to be no industries that will remain untouched
by the proliferation of XR across the commercial, governmental, and financial spectrums.The
impactful SDG domains that the tech addresses in terms of business opportunities are
interwoven.They include healthcare and medical services, education and training tools, cities
and urban living, and creating awareness. Business opportunities for this tech are expansive
and truly exciting, as they catapult us into new realities.

INNOVATING HEALTHCARE AND MEDICAL SERVICES

XR technologies present many benefits in the healthcare and medical domains. XR’s use in
healthcare is on the rise, from the operating room to medical classrooms, from pain
management to mental health. Experts estimate the market for XR in healthcare could reach $7
billion by 2026.93 One innovation in this regard is a calming VR experience for expectant

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41 IN BUSINESS
SPHEREGEN TECHNOLOGIES94
Initiative: XR business solutions
Headquarters: New Haven, Connecticut USA

Responsible consumption and production SphereGen Technologies facilitates

businesses custom solutions, allowing companies to harness XR across depart-
ments and industry fields.With a revenue of over $22 million, SphereGen provides
services such as application modernization and XR development to help organi-
zations in several industries (SDGs 10,12).95 It specifically enables solutions using
leading-edge software to create XR experiences.The company helps organizations
improve employee engagement through innovative and compelling training appli-
cations (SDG 8). SphereGen largely caters to educating professionals by creating
quality 3D models that can be viewed in VR headsets, HoloLens, and PCs and
tablets. It also has clients across various industries such as manufacturing and engi-
neering, education, healthcare, and finance (SDGs 3,4,8). SphereGen’s Unity design
team and Cloud specialists work together to develop holographic applications using
an innovative approach to business solutions designed for multiple XR platform
compatibility (SDG 9).This XR tech truly solves business process needs while ana-
lyzing data in real-time and developing the best tools to move businesses forward.

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mothers, with the purpose of reducing pain levels during labor.96 A study conducted shows that
those who used VR headsets with the Labor Bliss visualization for up to 30 minutes during
contractions reported an average pain reduction of 52%, whereas those who did not wear the
headsets experienced a pain increase of 58%.97 This tech paves the way for offering an
alternative to other pain relievers during childbirth.

EXPERTS ESTIMATE THE MARKET FOR XR IN HEALTHCARE COULD REACH $7

BILLION BY 2026.98

Another beneficial application includes doctors and nurses in the emergency room.Working in
a high-pressure, high-stress environment, medical professionals’ roles sometimes involve
making critical decisions for emergency procedures that require extra training.To tackle this
issue, doctors from the Children’s Hospital in Los Angeles teamed up with AiSolve and Bioflight
VR, creating a virtual trauma room that more accurately represents how real-life emergencies
may play out.99 Utilizing this training tool enables trainee doctors to prepare for actual events
without the fear of failure or dire consequences.

Dutch electronics multinational Philips focuses on health technology and has a presence
across 100 countries in the world. In 2019, the company collaborated with Microsoft,
combining Philips’ Azurion image-guided therapy platform and Microsoft HoloLens 2 MR
computing platform to develop an XR concept for future operating rooms.100 This reality hybrid
allows the tech initiative to create innovative applications for image-guided, minimally invasive
therapies.Through multidisciplinary studies and examination of a 3D model of the patient case,
collaboration with AR and VR imaging leads to more efficient planning and better time
management.

Businesses are taking advantage of Microsoft’s XR innovations.The tech giant’s products are
immensely powerful in the healthcare and medical sector, as the value creation can be fourfold:
shorter procedure times, better clinical outcomes, enhanced prediction and execution of the
procedure, and a more intuitive and comfortable experience for staff. One prime example is
Medivis, a medical technology company harnessing augmented reality and artificial intelligence
to advance medical imaging and surgical navigation (Case 42).

The tech has unprecedented potential to help with the visualization of medical data more
effectively. Because it overlays digital images and information onto the real-world view, AR is
ideally suited to visualizing medical information – such as overlaying anatomical data onto the
patient in real life.This can help clinicians carry out procedures in a faster, more accurate way.
A simple example comes from AccuVein, the global leader in vein visualization. Here, a map of
veins is overlaid onto the surface of the patient’s skin to help health professionals find veins
more easily for applications like starting IVs and drawing blood. Evidence shows that vein
visualization dramatically improves clinicians’ ability to find them on the first attempt by as
much as 98% in pediatric cases and 96% with adult patients.101

MEDICAL PATIENTS WEARING A VR HEADSET HAVE REPORTED AN IMPROVED

OVERALL HOSPITAL EXPERIENCE, WITH 94% SAYING THEY FELT MORE
RELAXED AND 80% REPORTING FEELING LESS PAIN.102

Further,VR has been proven to help patients stay calm and relaxed during surgery. At St
George’s Hospital in London, patients undergoing procedures with regional anesthetic were
given the option of using a VR headset before and during their operation, which immersed
them in calming virtual landscapes.This proved incredibly effective as an impressive 100% of
participants expressed that wearing the headset improved their overall hospital experience,
94% said they felt more relaxed, and 80% reported feeling less pain.103

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42 IN BUSINESS
MEDIVIS104
Initiative: Microsoft HoloLens 2105
Headquarters: New York, New York USA

Medivis is a leader in AR for surgery with powerful MR provided by Microsoft’s HoloLens.

Founded by surgeons, radiologists, and engineers, Medivis uses technological advancements in
AR and computer vision to create a holographic future for surgery (SDG 3). It is enabling
surgeons to perform routine procedures in a safer and more efficient manner.With $2.3
million in financing, the company launched the SurgicalAR platform, a visualization tool that
guides surgical navigation while decreasing complications, improving patient outcomes, and
lowering surgical costs (SDGs 9,12).106 Medivis has successfully completed more than
200 surgeries with the HoloLens; decreased radiation exposure to patients of SurgicalAR,
averaging 1 CT scan as compared to 10 CT scans with traditional 2D surgical solutions; and
demonstrated the potential to place catheters with 1 mm accuracy (versus the 2.2 cm accuracy
that is typical today).107

Medivis brings together doctors and engineers of all backgrounds from around the world, to
ensure a comprehensive knowledge base backs up all projects (SDG 17). Using XR headsets and
glasses, Microsoft HoloLens has developed a way for medical students and clinicians to learn
about and study the human body using MR (SDGs 4,10).This initiative ensures medical
objectives are realized through an understanding of the anatomical structure as well as how to
treat different medical conditions. HoloLens 2 is able to perform vital imaging for medical staff,
as it is operated using hand gestures and voice commands while enabling surgeons to view 3D
holographic images of a patient’s anatomy. Business benefits of HoloLens include reduced
medical staff training by 30% at an average savings of $63 per hour; reduced average annual
personal protective equipment costs by 75%, savings $954 per employee; and improved
efficiency by 30% to complete ward rounds at an average savings of $41 per hour (SDG 8).108

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UNLOCKING NEW EDUCATION AND TRAINING OPPORTUNITIES
In the educational setting, XR allows students to learn in new and innovative ways.The
advancement of XR has benefitted the education secctor especially, with experiential learning,
both in school and on the job. Learning takes many forms – from teaching children about the
solar system and climate impacts to training the workforce both on the job and remotely. XR
emerges as a sustainable solution because of its ability to mirror real-life situations, ultimately
exceeding current teaching and learning limits.There is also evidence that students are more
likely to remember learned information when using the tech. Stanford University and Technical
University of Denmark discovered that incorporating XR technology improved memory retention
rates by 76%, compared to traditional learning methods.109

From an educational and training perspective, participants can learn about abstract concepts
and potentially intangible worlds via these new realities.With a basic VR simulation, for
instance, students can start exploring the moon’s surface within a matter of seconds.Teachers
use the smartphone application called Human Anatomy Atlas to give students a virtual lab
experience regarding the human body.This AR app is best suited for high school and higher
education learners. Going beyond textbook-level definitions, it allows students to create, save,
and share custom interactive 3D models.This multilingual AR solution has over 10,000
anatomical models, including a database of body organs, muscle compositions and actions,
skeletal structure, and more.110

STANFORD UNIVERSITY AND TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF DENMARK

DISCOVERED THAT INCORPORATING XR TECHNOLOGY IMPROVED MEMORY
RETENTION RATES BY 76% COMPARED TO TRADITIONAL LEARNING
METHODS.111

Throughout the past few years, educational experiences in XR continue to be increasingly

common.We find exciting new realms being taught via this new reality, including subjects such
as history and science. A VR experience named Rome Reborn was developed by digital
archeologist Bernard Frischer of Indiana University. A team of 50 scientists collaborated for 20
years to complete what is the largest scale VR experience of a historical site.112 Rome Reborn
recreates an area of 5.5 square miles of the ancient city with 7,000 monuments and buildings.
Another significant project is the NASA Space Launch System VR Experience, a virtual reality
software program for learning about outer space.113 Those using the software can even sit in
the rocket’s cockpit during pre-launch activities to experience what it’s like to be an astronaut
inside the Orion spacecraft.

XR opens the door for distance learning classrooms, where students can experience the
benefits of learning in a collaborative environment while being remote.114 What facilitates this
structure are AR and VR training aids, ensuring that access to information is always available.
With AR today, educational institutions can easily design courses using simulation, visualization,
and interaction with both virtual objects and real environments. In schools across the US,
semiconductor company Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) has emerged to develop VR-
based learning to evaluate the potential for integrating VR effectively into the classroom while
enhancing student learning.

There are several workplace training VR applications on the market, most commonly for safety,
that businesses are finding beneficial.VR helps operators practice before an unfortunate event
to respond quickly and reliably in an emergency. COMOS Walkinside as a 3D Asset Portal is a

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 VR solution that provides all project stakeholders and decision-makers with easy and fast
access to all factory information, thereby ensuring a common understanding of its current
state.115 The integrated COMOS software solution lets operators create a virtual 3D
representation of their facility, and this VR model of operations forms the basis for efficient
maintenance and training, resulting in significant savings.116 Using a VR software solution allows
highly complex spatial 3D models for training purposes to be visualized immediately.

REDEFINING CITIES AND URBAN LIVING

Cities and urban areas are being redefined by transforming buildings and venues into
intelligent, responsive, interactive, and sustainable architecture. Further, with the onset of
climate change comes government planning to create sustainable cities that provide quality of
life to citizens. Smart cities aim to incorporate climate-resilient infrastructure by installing
technology add-ons that enhance convenience and aid in governance.117 In this regard, AR and
VR, along with location or spatial intelligence, can help develop public spaces to preserve
environmental integrity, good governance, asset management, public safety and health,
transportation, and preservation of an area’s cultural heritage.118 XR technology proves itself to
be a crucial component to all future spatial planning projects, as it provides context for
adaptation to improve models.

MIT’s Media Lab worked with the City Science Lab of Hamburg on a project called Finding
Places as part of its City Science initiative.119 The researchers used optically-tagged LEGO
bricks, simulation algorithms, and AR to model potential locations for refugee accommodations.
Participants in this project identified 160 locations, and the government quickly authorized 44
and constructed 10 accommodations, thus compressing a process that could have taken years.
In the commercial world, architects use this VR to provide consumers with virtual tours of
buildings.

AR technology is also being used in the manufacturing sector for product training and field
engineering services for the installation and maintenance of equipment. Companies can use XR
in various professional trainings in urban environments. Police departments, for instance, are
now using VR to train officers to deal with riots or arrest people in specific situations to make
streets safer for citizens and officers alike.120 In terms of urban design,Transmira and Kognition
have collaborated as part of a consortium of XR companies to develop and implement the latest
technology for the next generation of smart cities (Case 44).

Urban retail business is experiencing the shift to implementing AR in shopping and eCommerce.
Online 3D environments that mimic city stores are providing shoppers with ways to connect
without having to leave their homes. AR portals virtually transport the users into a desired
retail environment to walk around and explore through an XR device.These shopping mini
worlds have the potential to be integrated into existing virtual universes and apps, and
could play an important role in shaping the city and urban life.

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43
IN BUSINESS
ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES (AMD)121
Initiative:VR gadgets for school-based learning
Headquarters: Santa Clara, California USA

For more than 50 years, AMD has driven innovation in high-performance computing, graphics,
and visualization technologies. It has recognized the potential of VR technology to better
engage students and help them to retain key concepts (SDG 4).To test this theory, a
collaboration emerged between Hunters Lane High School and AMD with a six-week
experiment to determine student and teacher perceptions of, and attainments with,VR-based
learning (SDG 17).The school set up a VR lab where the four classrooms, totaling about 150
students, could use the VR equipment.122 Teachers learned about VR technology both to
develop strategies for integrating it into their curriculum and to create computer programs and
applications that troubleshoot various technology system issues (SDG 9).These educators also
made use of Google Earth VR, as well as tested other apps and games to experience how the
technology could be applied in different scenarios and subjects (SDG 16).

Given the reported shortage of tech talent in the workforce today,VR could help students
learn tech skills quickly, increasing the number of graduates ready to enter into the tech job
market (SDGs 8,10). “In my classroom, using VR helped the students retain knowledge more
effectively,” said Information Technology representatives at Hunters Lane High School.123 “This
could change the game for kids who are struggling because you immerse them in this world,
and they can see it and feel it. It makes them more interested and engaged.” In 2021, AMD
had a reported record revenue of $16.4 billion, which was up 68% over 2020.124 This was driven by
higher revenue in the computing and graphics segment.

44
TRANSMIRA SMART CITIES125
Initiative:VR gadgets for school-based learning
Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina USA

Transmira is a North Carolina-based XR startup that has entered into a partnership

with Kognition, the Philadelphia-based builder of AI technology for commercial property (SDG
17).Transmira and Kognition’s collaboration is part of a consortium of XR companies that
develop and implement the latest technology to create the next generation of smart cities and
intelligent architecture (SDG 11).This infrastructure aims to include stadiums and arenas, office
buildings, retail centers, university campuses, hotels, airports, and more (SDG 9).The
consortium of XR companies plans to bring together AR,VR, digital twins, integrated IoT sensors
and devices, blockchain technology, 5G, edge-computing and hybrid cloud, AI, and machine
learning (SDGs 7,12).126 “With our Omniscape technology and XR platform, we bring location to
life using AR and VR technology, AI-driven holograms, data visualization, interactive content, as
well as unique monetization capabilities” remarked Robert Rice, founder and CEO of
Transmira.127 This holistic approach gives a glimpse into the future of smart spaces, amplifying
the power of building tech, resulting in enhanced customer experiences, streamlined
operations, and safer spaces for people (SDGs 10,16).
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 INVESTMENT IN AR RETAIL PROJECTS
IT giants invest millions of dollars into various AR retail projects with new startups arising:128
• Google published Tango project and invested $1.4 billion into Magic Leap XR tech, which aids
in remote training and collaboration.129
• Apple introduced the platform to develop AR for iOS devices, called ARKit, which provides a
cutting-edge platform for developing AR Apps for iPhone and iPad.130
• Snapchat estimated $30 to $40 million to acquire Israeli AR startup Cimagine Media.131
• Facebook paid $2 billion for Oculus.132
• Commerce AR startups are heavily funded and have reached more than $650 million:
Augment133 ($1.8 million),VividWorks134 ($1.7 million), and Sayduck135 ($1 million).

From an efficiency and waste reduction standpoint, AR can allow customers to try products
before they decide to spend money. Brands report over 60% of shoppers prefer to buy using
AR, and 46% of shop owners express satisfaction about the transition to an AR/VR
resolution.136 Retail company ZARA has introduced a shopping App where customers can point
their phones at the specific shop windows or sensors in the store to see models wearing
selected outfits.This innovation allows customers to see how the outfit fits and moves without
having to try it on. Other than ZARA, Art Labs has also recently introduced an AR platform
where customers can try virtual footwear, decorations, or accessories to see how the item is
suitable for them before their purchase.

Project Archer is an AR studio in Seattle dedicated to paving the way for AR applications in the
sustainable retail space.With a focus on creating a productive and immersive real-world
shopping experience, Project Archer combines diverse data streams with personalized
information to make shopping experiences more productive and efficient.137 Studies show
impressive numbers for the future of AR in retail to enhance urban shopping experiences with
a huge potential to boost sales. More than 50% of smartphone owners already use it when
shopping.138 These data reveal that XR for retail could be highly beneficial for business: 71% of
shoppers believe they would shop more often if they used AR apps; 61% said they preferably
choose stores with AR over those without it; 55% admitted that AR makes shopping more fun
and exciting; and 40% of shoppers believe that they are ready to pay more for a product if they
are allowed to test it through AR.

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RAISING AWARENESS BY EXPERIENCE
Building awareness around important topics and providing people with the necessary
information in critical sectors is necessary for various factors, such as health and safety,
environmental protection, human rights, and economic growth and long-term prosperity.
Expanding this tech into areas where knowledge is lacking, or where people are in emergency
situations, is becoming a reality. In the hazardous mining industry, the need for improved safety
measures and training is constant. Imagine how a rapidly growing fire could deplete oxygen
inside a mine, subsequently harming the miners. Oculus Quest 2 all-in-one VR headsets can
simulate disasters, preparing miners for these dire situations.139

We have the example of volunteer rescuers with Ontario Mine Rescue navigating emergency
underground simulations, which hones their emergency-response skills in a safe but realistic
environment. By creating awareness for miners about potential problems, mitigation tactics can be
put in place to limit fatal accidents and ensure rapid responses to other dangerous events. Cultural
virtual experiences are also driving the consumer market and breaking into a variety of sectors.
Physically traveling is no longer a necessity, given that a new suite of virtual experiences is possible.
These VR immersions range from online guided tours to film festivals, global wine-tasting to
international exotic birdwatching.140 The virtual experience can now allow people to learn about
the world no matter where they are.

Creating a global awareness during the pandemic has been challenging, but several tourist
businesses have relied on virtual remote experiential tours to maintain their standing. Some of
Oculus’ most popular experiences include National Geographic VR, which takes users to places
such as Antarctica, making possible virtual trips navigating icebergs in a kayak, climbing an ice
shelf, and surviving a blustery snowstorm as they search for a lost penguin colony.141 Historic
Portsmouth in the UK has a new project,The Mary Rose, that is garnering the attention of
historians.The Mary Rose, a ship in Henry VIII’s navy, was built when he came to the throne in
1509. It boasts a new interactive photosphere experiential tour that rotates 360 degrees along
a walkway between the vessel’s wooden structure and the artifacts that were found with the
16th-century wreck.142 Historic Portsmouth provides the likeness of visiting the ship in person
through rotating clickable icons.

Historic projects and social business endeavors are brought to our awareness through tech.
Project Dastaan is an exciting initiative connecting generations and historians via XR advancements
(Case 45). Founded in 2018 by a group of four students at the University of Oxford, the venture
is advised by historians, filmmakers, and advocates.The Project is generously supported by the
CatchLight Foundation, Digital Catapult and Arts Council England’s CreativeXR Program, and a
National Geographic Society Exploration Grant.143

Several other experiential XR initiatives in the sustainability realm are evolving as well. In 2021,
centered around the theme of digital immersive content creation, Ithra Idea Lab in Saudi
Arabia launched a VR program called Creative Solutions with an innovative event that provided
opportunities to connect while showcasing the potential of immersive experiences. Creative
Solutions is an annual thematic innovation program that covers the fields of art, science, and
technology, aiming to develop viable solutions to identified opportunities and challenges.144
Ithra was able to successfully maintain a sense of community while also providing an immersive
experience that did not necessitate all the participants to have headsets, or be there in person.

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45 IN BUSINESS
PROJECT DASTAAN145
Initiative:VR peace building initiative
Headquarters: India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh

Project Dastaan aims to act as a catalyst for fostering mutual understanding among India,
Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Dastaan, which means “story” in several South Asian languages, works
to bring awareness to the experiences of the 1947 Partition generation.While creating a lasting
impact between generations, Project Dastaan seeks to reconnect displaced refugees with their
childhood communities and villages through 360-degree XR digital experiences (SDGs 11,17).

The partition of secular India and Islamic Pakistan caused chaos, panic, and widespread violence
(SDGs 1,16). Exactly how many people died is difficult to estimate, but visceral historical
accounts of rivers of blood and trains reaching their destination full of bodies are built into
cultural heritage. Figures range from 200,000 to 4 million dead and missing (SDG 3). An
estimated 15 million people left for the other side of the new border, where Muslims went to
Pakistan and Hindus and Sikhs to India.

Walking survivors and ancestors through the experience of VR can help them to remember and
make peace with the historical event (SDG 10). “When Partition violence was at its height, Gandhi
had said that no peace would be possible until the refugees displaced were able to return to their
homelands,” declares Project Dastaan.146 This return is made possible through VR. Project
Dastaan endeavored to virtually reconnect 75 first-hand witnesses of the Partition to their
ancestral homes by the end of 2022.The Project has several features including “Child of
Empire,” an interactive VR piece to be installed in museums, a feature film titled “The Lost
Migration,” and another film titled “Where the Birds Live.”

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ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD
The new and improved advancements of XR, made possible through the 5G network, are
groundbreaking.With download speeds up to 20 to 30 times faster than its 4G predecessor, 5G
promises a new world. It must be acknowledged, however, that there are still many people in
the world that do not have access to the 5G network, and thus XR does not reach them directly.
Further, while the tech is becoming a foundation for many modern services, it is also causing
potential health risks and we still have very little concrete health data due to the nascent
quality of the technology. Cancer and fertility damage are just some of the present and future
possible concerns caused by 5G.147 The difference between 4G and 5G in terms of gigahertz, the
unit of alternating current or electromagnetic waves that affect the transmission speeds of
devices, is significant. 5G technology has radio millimeter bands in the 30 to 300 GHz range,
while 4G is down around 6 GHz.148 This is a huge difference, and when applied to video latency,
it translates to speeds up to 60 to 120 times faster.

As outlined in this chapter, XR investment is growing and will go toward a wide range of
innovations, such as the ability to conduct remote surgery and training, as well as applications
that will greatly increase productivity. But just like other transformative technologies, the rapid
uptake of XR demands preemptive caution and monitoring. XR datasets could be profoundly
personal, and these data concerns are becoming a growing impediment to the tech roll out.
While XR tools make direct connections to our mental faculties and perceptions of reality, these
capabilities are not yet fully understood and subsequently raise heightened privacy and security
fears.149 Mismanagement of XR technologies risks harm to individuals and society that may be
extremely hard to reverse.

The urgency and necessity to get this right from the outset are paramount. XR is a relatively
new concept coming into the mainstream, so very few companies have designed responsible
measures to prevent, or at least mitigate, potential negative consequences of the technology.
Accenture identified six risks that business leaders can begin to strategize around while they
are still in the early stages of XR implementation.150 These risks include misuse of personal
data, creation of fake enterprises, addiction to technology, threats of cyber-attacks, antisocial
behaviors, and digitally divided worlds. MIT and Harvard have also raised awareness recently
about “adversarial attacks,” where hackers expertly manipulate input to systems (like changing
a VR image), altering the system to behave in unexpected or undesirable ways.151

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 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
At one time unimaginable, we now experience a combination of real-and-virtual environments
helping humanity solve our Global Goals.We have imagined XR to be able to address complex
challenges and enable us to see beyond the human eye. Complex challenges are being addressed
through VR and AR technologies. XR enables us to travel the world in a blink of an eye, and gives
people the opportunity to experience new realms of reality that were previously unavailable.
Through this technology we are immersed in hybrid real-virtual environment that extend our
scope of sustainable possibilities for all sectors, businesses, and settings.

Extended Realities technology has the capability and functionality to be used for more than
entertainment purposes. Governments, NGOs, and companies alike all benefit from this tech.
Whether it’s for infrastructure and efficiency, rewiring the brain for learning purposes, treating
ailments, or making leisure more interactive, XR enhances the way we live and experience reality,
both literally and imaginatively.

We have imagined XR for Good.

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TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 7
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
AND DRONES

AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES AND DRONES ARE

INCREDIBLY IMPACTFUL.
THEY’RE AT THE FOREFRONT OF ADDRESSING
MAJOR GLOBAL CHALLENGES.

217
 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine if technologies could adequately and efficiently provide relief services that arrive swiftly,
with precise navigation abilities, whereby both the people at risk and the rescue teams are safer. At
the same time as natural disasters are becoming more prevalent around the globe due to climate
change, technology is offering increasingly advanced emergency assistance solutions. Imagine
drones or other autonomous vehicles swooping in to save countless lives in instances when urgent
medical help is needed. Imagine a scenario wherein we would no longer require elaborate safety
equipment, conventional vehicles, or manpower for search and rescue operations.

Advanced tech solutions are ramping up innovations in the emergency assistance sector. Designed
resourcefully to integrate human genius into actionable products, autonomous vehicles (AVs)
and drones have become a necessity in assisting us under pressure in high-stakes circumstances.
There are many examples, but unmanned vehicles, especially aerial ones, have proven themselves
beneficial in disaster relief.With the help of AVs and drones, remote places that were once
considered inaccessible and unreachable due to limitations on infrastructure or inadequate
resources, are now being accessed like never before. People are rescued quickly via life-saving
technological innovations, rather than depending on slower-moving NGOs or governments.

Early instances of drones helping aid organizations emerged in 2013, at which time they assisted
in identifying the precise areas of need in the Philippines after the destructive Typhoon Haiyan.1
Drones have since come a long way and greatly increased their potential capabilities.These
tech champions have advanced beyond their original function of simply identifying where help
is required, and have progressed to be the ones to deliver the help.Thriving in the face of such
obstacles, drones are programmed to swerve past mountains, soar over roads, withstand extreme
temperatures, and much more. Undeniably swifter and nimbler than many emergency vehicles,
drones work their way through tough spots and emerge unscathed.

Although used throughout the world, Africa has been a crucial region in the proliferation of AVs.
Drone use for assistance in African countries began in earnest around 2016.The most widely
known drone programs in Africa have focused on the dire need for the delivery of blood, medical
supplies, and vaccines.

German delivery company DHL provides a good example. Partnering with drone manufacturer and
service provider Wingcopter in 2018, DHL ran a six-month pilot project in the Mwanza region of
Tanzania. Medical care for the 400,000 residents in this region had been severely limited. As part of

218
this program, drones delivered medical supplies to places in Mwanza deemed notoriously “hard to
reach” via traditional transportation.2 On the return trip, drones transported laboratory samples
back to the hospital’s rooftop on the mainland, which allowed for faster analysis and significantly
reduced waiting time for patients.The entire trip would have taken six hours with conventional
means of transportation, spanning nearly 150 miles by truck or four hours by ferry. Drones, their
autonomy and speed in high demand, could cover this area in 40 minutes while traveling a more
direct route of only 37 miles.3

Beyond Africa, drones and unmanned vehicles have worked many wonders during the COVID-19
pandemic. Imagine the whole world plagued and isolated due to the rapid spread of the
coronavirus, thereby catapulting the predominance of food and package delivery systems. Drones
came to the rescue for many during the pandemic, flying with supplies into high-risk regions.With
economic, environmental, and social benefits - safety on one hand, delivery time optimization on
another - drones ended up being lifesavers, literally.

Autonomous vehicles and drones used for the benefit of sustainable business will be at the
forefront of addressing many of the Global Goals. Scientists and researchers are hard at work
to make progress on the viability of this tech for commercial use, which is proof that the effort
is worthwhile from a societal perspective. Such endeavors are a testament to the fact that we
continue to place trust in the technology beyond using autonomous vehicles or drones merely for
recreational use.

By employing wisdom and decision-making skills, we bring forth AVs and drones as another
technology for the benefit of both the planet and the people. Imagine when we persist in this
choice, continuing along the development path and expanding our options, how millions more lives
will be saved.With medicines transported by air, with ambulances that fly in, and with knowledge
of exactly where to be and when, we can create efficient, intelligent systems that perpetuate
economic gains while also meeting the needs of society.

Imagine flying in to tight areas and saving lives.This is AVs and drones for Good.

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7
EXPLORING
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES
AND DRONES

There is a broad range of autonomous vehicles – and not just driverless cars – referenced when
the term AV is used. Here we discuss the range of AVs and drones, as well as dissect the
developmental history and science in detail. Next comes the market perspective, which hails AV
tech as one of the fastest, deepest, most consequential disruptions of transportation in history.
Extensive research is drawn on throughout this chapter, connecting the tech’s vast capabilities to
current-day business use.

The beneficial way in which AVs and drones will accelerate the realization of the SDGs is not
comparable to other technological advancement.This particularly relates to agricultural monitoring
using drones and delivery bots aiding in underserved or disaster-affected areas. How underwater
AVs and drones aid with managing and reducing ocean waste and marine threats is also explored.
The tech has the potential to serve as a foundational innovation that lifts cities to sustainability
status with gained control over traffic congestion and prevention of human-error-based dangers.

As business models are enhanced and Global Goals are promised to be met owing to
contributions of AVs and drones, societal structures head towards an optimized sustainable
future. But like all techs, the risks and downsides must be taken into consideration. Data
security and surveillance privacy are valid concerns that need to be addressed.

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THE TECH
Autonomous vehicles (AVs) are everywhere – the sky above, below ground, under water, on
top of the water, in the future, and might even soon flow through our veins! The tech ranges
from autonomous road vehicles including driverless cars, busses and trucks, to ships, to drones
which refer to unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), to autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs) or
unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs).This tech will revolutionize transportation, disaster
relief, broadscale mapping functions, public safety monitoring, environmental conservation,
and much more. AVs and drones offer huge advantages, from eliminating vehicle collisions and
predicting deadly forest fires to optimizing vehicle movement and helping with transport during
humanitarian initiatives.

The past half-decade has witnessed AVs making waves not only within the automotive sector,
but also throughout society at large.This technology is impacting cars, trucks, buses and other
public service vehicles. At the same time, we have often struggled with legislation, risks,
responsibilities, and a host of other hurdles that foster skepticism about whether this
development will truly become a viable option. Given there will be many hiccups, product
versions, and development stages along the way, AV technologies may indeed take a long time
to become viable solutions. However, the transition process itself ultimately promises
beneficial societal and business model shifts in different shapes or forms on the way to full
market saturation.

THE SHARE OF MILES DRIVEN BY NEARLY OR FULLY AUTONOMOUS

VEHICLES IS EXPECTED TO BE 80% BY 2030.4

Tech giants realize the breadth of the applications of this innovation.They are aware, for
instance, that the potential of AVs and drones range from road (cars, busses, and trucks), to
water (boats and ships), to underwater (drones), and to air (drones) applications. Companies
including Google and Apple are experimenting with AVs and drones.These players currently
monopolize the market share, in addition to innovators such as Tesla producing electric
vehicles. In the near future, innovations like micro drones could be developed that travel
through our veins and are capable of transporting medicine.

The possibilities for breakthrough solutions with AVs and drones, which we will discuss later in
the chapter, are truly endless. From the business perspective, this technology is enabling new
models by transforming the efficiency and effectiveness of transport and logistics worldwide.
By removing the need for human operators and developing new mobility service models, this
tech will change the current car ownership model and vastly improve the utility of these
vehicles. Autonomous vehicles and drones reduce costs and improve efficiency in terms of
smarter routing on roads and improved accuracy in aerial monitoring. Not only will the tech
transform business models for vehicle ownership, manufacturers and financial institutions will
also be required to rethink their product and service offerings.

THE PUBLIC BENEFIT OF FULLY ADOPTING AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES IN THE

US WOULD EXCEED $800 BILLION A YEAR IN 2030.5

Ahead of revolutionizing local and national transportation systems over the next decade,
connected vehicle (CV) technologies are also poised to bring significant changes to the built
environment and mobility.These include transforming how residents live, work, and move
around their communities and in cities. Connected Vehicles offer communication with other
vehicles, infrastructure, and devices via internet and radio frequencies.This CV tech has the
potential to bring massive improvements to transportation safety and mobility through
applications such as alerting drivers to nearby incidents, diversions, or heavy traffic.

221
 One of the most familiar CV technologies supports short-range communications, providing
wireless two-way communications used for traffic services like signal control, traffic monitoring,
automatic toll collection, traffic congestion detection, and emergency vehicle signal preemption of
traffic lights.6

It is equally important to explain the nuances across various levels of development in remotely
operated and fully autonomous vehicles. Autonomous, automated, self-driving, and driverless
are terms that are often used interchangeably, but there are subtle differences. Driverless, for
instance, is more advanced than self-driving, as the former does not have the back-up of a
person taking control, and the latter has the possibility of a human operator. In adherence to
industry standards, driverless is classified as Level 5, while self-driving is Level 4 or below.7

Many companies such as Google, Uber, Lyft and Waymo are in the process of developing Level
4 vehicles.Waymo’s Early Access program allows people to ride Level 4 cars in designated, low
intensity locations and situations such as traffic jams. In Level 4 vehicles, the driver can retake
control of the car at any time, but it is also equipped automatically to handle road construction
sites and other challenging circumstances as long as they fit the operating parameters of the
car’s software. Honda plans to have a Level 4 car on the road by 2026, and Google has built
Level 4 prototypes, such as its Firefly pod-car.8

Full automation is the ultimate goal of most self-driving tech initiatives. At Level 5, human
intervention is never necessary, no matter the conditions. As an example, driverless taxis pick
up passengers and have the possibility of being without a human operator. Regulators with the
California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently granted a permit to Cruise, the selfdriving
vehicle subsidiary of General Motors (GM).9 The first-of-its-kind permit allows Cruise to
charge for rides in its autonomous taxi fleet, without a human driver in the car. Although very
few Level 5 vehicles such as this are available on the roads at this time, tech leaders such as
Tesla are working on making this inevitable future a reality.

5
FULLY AUTONOMOUS

4
HIGH AUTONOMOUS

3
CONDITIONAL AUTONOMOUS

2
PARTIAL AUTOMATION

1
DRIVER ASSISTED

0
ZERO AUTOMATION

Figure 6
Categories of Autonomous Vehicles
Author © 2023

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The standards mentioned above apply not only to the road, as there are UAVs that refer
specifically to remotely piloted aircraft (RPA) that do not require a human onboard to fly.There
are also completely autonomous drones that require no human intervention and are self-piloted
via software. One RPA example is the Predator XP, equipped with cameras, sensors, and
munitions. It was manufactured by General Atomics Aeronautical Systems and was designed for
use by the United States Air Force and Central Intelligence Agency to complete aerial
reconnaissance and surveillance missions.10

“I’M EXTREMELY CONFIDENT THAT LEVEL 5 [SELF-DRIVING CARS] OR

ESSENTIALLY COMPLETE AUTONOMY WILL HAPPEN, AND I THINK IT WILL
HAPPEN VERY QUICKLY.”11 - TESLA CEO ELON MUSK

On the other hand, we have fully autonomous drones that can take off, carry out missions, and
land completely autonomously. In the case of autonomous drones, communications
management software coordinates missions and pilots the aircraft instead of a human.The
Sparrow I, manufactured by Percepto, is an example of an autonomous drone. It does not
require an operator on the ground or in the air, thereby carrying out solo missions around the
clock including pre-scheduled missions powered by PerceptoCore technology for aerial security,
maintenance, and operations.12

Similar nuances and standards apply to unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) on and in the water.
This tech is often used to monitor water quality in terms of contamination levels. Not only are
USVs less expensive than human testing, but they offer more flexibility than traditional weather
ships or research vessels. Fish farming is also being aided by the UAV market, given that the
tech provides an affordable and reliable platform for aqua farmers to monitor water quality
parameters and observe fish behavior during various processes in aquaculture.13 Moving forward,
we can confidently say that breakthroughs in CV and AV tech will enable manufacturers, software
developers, auto companies, universities and many other industries to imagine and test methods to
optimize global transportation and autonomous systems.

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
Although drones are often thought of as a modern invention, there is a long history of
autonomous driving and flying objects. It may come as a surprise that the first UAV dates back
to the 18th century in the form of hot-air balloons.Technically, these were the first aircraft not
requiring a human pilot.The Montgolfier brothers were the first to famously host the public
demonstration of an unmanned aircraft; it was a hot-air balloon in Annonay, France in 1783.14

Following that, advancements took off steadily over the years, ranging from military
applications in the form of Austrian unmanned balloon bombs, to French aerial photographs
taken from cameras mounted on UAVs in the 19th century.The year 1898 saw Nikola Tesla
display a radio-controlled robot-boat in New York City’s Madison Square Garden.15 The
progressive-beyond-its-years invention could respond to directional signals sent to it by Tesla
from afar and could also flash its lights.This compelling demonstration was the beginning of
what would evolve into radio-controlled aircraft and underwater vessels.

Throughout the 20th century, nations such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Israel
competed in developing UAVs for military and battle purposes. Radio-controlled target planes
were deployed for bombing and surveillance, taking the monitoring and warfare capabilities to
new heights worldwide. Some of these early applications were predominantly military-based
operations. Since then, however, UAVs have evolved into being used for good.

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 It was after UAVs were allowed to fly in US civilian airspace and underwater for search and
rescue, following Hurricane Katrina in 2006, that the consumer drone industry began to shift to
what it has become today. Companies like Parrot, DJI, 3DR, and many others endeavored to take
military UAV technology and repurpose it for good.This vast potential for industrial and
consumer UAV markets ignited many businesses like FedEx, UPS, Amazon, Google, and Uber to
invest in the technology. Since 2014, AVs and drones of all types have continued to expand in
capabilities.The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic has further piqued industry interest in
exploring how drones can enable safer and more cost-effective business operations. Rapid
growth is expected in the coming years, and by 2030 the UAV market is forecasted to be worth
$92 billion.16

MARKET SIZE OF AVS AND DRONES

From a market perspective, AVs could present one of the fastest, deepest, and most
consequential disruptions of transportation in history. It is expected that by 2030, within ten
years of regulatory approval of AVs, 95% of US passenger miles traveled will be served by
ondemand autonomous electric vehicles owned by fleets, not individuals, in a new business
model.17 The disruption will have large-scale implications across the transportation and oil
industries, shifting these industries’ value chains and oil prices while also creating trillions of
dollars in new business opportunities, consumer surplus, and GDP growth.

A change like this in the market of an automobile-centered society such as the US has the
potential to save the average American family more than $5,600 per year in transportation
costs, which is equivalent to an average wage raise of 10%.18 These predictions signify an
additional $1 trillion per year back into the American economy by 2030, potentially fueling
wide-scale spending and economic growth. Simultaneously, savings on transportation costs
could result in a permanent boost in annual disposable income for US households, totaling $1
trillion by 2030.

More autonomous vehicles will additionally mean fewer cars traveling farther, due to the
potential of an increase in ride-sharing businesses.19 The number of passenger vehicles on
American roads will predictably drop from 247 million to 44 million, opening up vast tracts of land
for other, more productive uses.20 Market projections state that by the end of 2023, 7.3 million
vehicles (7% of the total market) will have autonomous driving capabilities, requiring $1.5 billion of
autonomous-driving-dedicated processors.21 This is expected to grow to $14 billion in 2030.

Electric vehicles (EVs) with autonomy boast the capability as market accelerants to sustainable
energy as well, which is a fundamental value of a company such as Tesla (Case 46). In terms
of battery-powered electric and autonomous vehicles,Tesla has the potential to disrupt the
automotive and power generation industries with its technology.Tesla will see higher profit
margins as it achieves its plan to reduce battery costs by 56% over the next several years.22
Through the combination of its industry-leading technology and unique supercharger network,
Tesla has maintained its market leader status as EV adoption increases.

In the future, manufacturers will have options to produce more AVs, which will spur high levels
of competition and new entrants from other industries. Projections suggest that the
transportation value chain will deliver 6 trillion passenger miles in 2030.This is an increase of
50% over 2021 at a quarter of the cost, $393 billion versus $1.48 trillion.23 Also significant from
a market perspective, AVs are expected to generate at least $81 billion in new insurance
revenues in the US between 2020 and 2025.24

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46
IN BUSINESS
TESLA25
Initiative: Accelerating the Market
Headquarters: Austin,Texas USA

Tesla electric vehicles with autonomous driving systems are accelerants to

sustainable energy, which is a fundamental value of the company. Spearheading
the development of electric vehicles with autonomous driving systems,Tesla
seized the opportunity to catapult itself into transforming the automotive and
energy markets around the globe (SDGs 9,11).Tesla is the largest battery electric
vehicle automaker in the world, also selling solar panels and batteries used for
energy storage to consumers and utilities (SDGs 10,17). As the solar generation
and battery storage market expands,Tesla is well-positioned to grow. “Tesla’s
fundamental value is to serve as an accelerant to sustainable energy,” said Elon
Musk.26

Tesla invests around 5% of its sales in research and development, focusing on

improving its market-leading technology and reducing its manufacturing costs
(SDG 12).27 The tech company focuses on automation and efficiency in its
manufacturing process, such as reducing the total number of parts that need
to be assembled in a vehicle. Moving upstream into battery production as well,
Tesla’s goal is to reduce costs by over 50% (SDG 8).Tesla is focused on creating a
complete energy and transportation ecosystem, from solar generation and energy
storage to electric vehicles with autonomous driving that produces zero tailpipe
emissions (SDGs 7,13). Musk explains that “You have to win on autonomy, you
have to win on electrification, and you have to make a product so compelling that
it is worth paying the premium relative to the incumbent competitors.”28

Although Tesla did not invent electric cars, it was Tesla that became the real
accelerant to developing AVs and sustainable energy. A small start-up that turned
into a profitable company,Tesla’s market capitalization now exceeds the combined
market capitalization of the following seven automakers. As of October 2022,
Tesla has a market cap of nearly $711 Billion.29

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 CONNECTED CARS
The market for tech advancements in connected cars is also on the rise.With the introduction
of “vehicle-to-everything” (V2X) communication systems, where information travels from
vehicle sensors through high-bandwidth links, cars can now communicate important road
information about infrastructure such as parking spaces, traffic lights, and pedestrians.30 In
addition to improving road safety, many of the key features of 5G-enabled V2X technology
could also help manage traffic congestion in major cities.This would be in the form of
enabling direct communication channels between a vehicle and nearby road infrastructure,
alerting drivers to an upcoming red light or traffic jam, or adjusting the vehicle’s rate of travel
to maximize fuel economy and reduce emissions.This bumps up a huge revenue opportunity
for auto makers and surrounding tech components, with features such as remote diagnostics,
predictive maintenance and online service scheduling, as the market for connected cars is
predicted to jump to over $215 billion by 2027.31

Considering AVs in the air, the rise in the use of military drones by defense forces worldwide is
one of the most significant factors projected to drive UAV market growth to reach
$45.8 billion by 2025.32 The increasing use of drones in various commercial applications, such as
monitoring, surveying, and mapping, precision agriculture, aerial remote sensing, and product
delivery is also contributing to the growth of the UAV market. Drone services will remain the
biggest segment, with software growing rapidly. Asia is the biggest drone market today, driven
by China and Japan, while India is expected to be the third-largest drone market in the world by
2025.33 The global drone servicing and repair market is expected to grow from $8.61 billion in
2021 to reach $65.41 billion in 2026 at a CAGR of 49.5%.34

Underwater drones or UUVs are capable of functioning under the ocean without a human
occupant.These vehicles are generally divided into two categories—remotely operated
underwater vehicles (ROVs) that are controlled throughout their operations by a distant human
operator, and AUVs which are capable of functioning autonomously without any real-time
human inputs.The total global underwater drone market was valued at $3.59 billion in 2019,
and is projected to reach $7.39 billion by 2027, thereby registering a CAGR of 11.7%.35
Oceanographers using AUVs to check the water quality of the sea and maintain aquatic life is
projected to create a business opportunity worth $46.8 million during the 2018 to 2027
forecast period.36

The unmanned surface vehicle (USV) market size was valued at $637 million in 2020 and is
projected to reach $1.73 billion by 2028, growing at a CAGR of 13.35%.37 At the same time, the
global AUV market is projected to reach $596.7 million by the end of the forecast period of
2018 to 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.1%.38 North America is the world’s largest USV market,
with revenues expected to reach nearly $2 billion by 2027.39 The market’s expansion in this
region can be attributed to rapid technological advancements accelerating the industry’s
growth. Furthermore, due to the high demand for water quality monitoring and ocean data
mapping, Europe is expected to have the highest CAGR during this forecast period. AUVs are
generally used in aquaculture systems. Since aquaculture production has been increasing rapidly,
making fish farming one of the fastest-growing industrial sectors across the world, this has been
significantly contributing to the growth of the global AUV market. Industries such as shipping,
shipbuilding, coastal aquaculture, fishing, offshore oil and gas, offshore wind, maritime tourism, and
tidal and wave energy are all projected to boost the demand for AUVs in the foreseeable future.

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The global AUV market is consolidated by 10 to 12 players with a significant presence.This
includes Kongsberg Maritime AS that accounts for approximately 15% to 20% of the market.40 The
remaining share of the global AUV market is projected to be commanded by other leading players
such as Saab AB, ECA Robotics SAS, and Fugro N.V., among others.

DRONE DELIVERY MARKET41

By year five of business rollout in a single US metropolitan area, drone delivery could:
• Serve up to 53.9% of the population.
• Recover nearly $582.5 million per year in total time savings for consumers.
• Support 3.6-6.6% of metropolitan residents without access to a vehicle (as many as 66,000
people in a single metropolitan area).
• Help 22,000 people with mobility challenges to obtain their prescription medication.
• Generate up to $284,000 per year in new annual sales for a participating local business (up to
250% additional sales compared to a scenario without drones).
• Refrain approximately 294 million miles per year in road use and around 580 car
crashes per year.
• Reduce nearly 113,900 tons of CO2 emissions per year.

All cities are different based on a range of variables, including size of the existing market,
demographics, population density, and urban environment. Consumers in communities with
greater distances between commercial centers and residences may benefit more from drone
delivery through time saved – as much as 31 to 56 hours saved per person per year, averaged
across all residents. In areas with more people and higher costs of living, consumers may
benefit more from the value of time saved – as much as $323.5 to $582.5 million per year in
total time savings.

Prominent corporations around the world are implementing these technologies for efficiency
and business growth. For example, Chinese food delivery company Meituan has raised $10
billion in a stock and convertible bond sale to invest in autonomous delivery vehicles, delivery
drones, and other cutting-edge technology.42 AVs and drones also present growth potentials for
the surrounding industries.The market for automotive software and electronics, for instance, is
expected to grow by 7% each year for the coming years, becoming a $470 billion industry.43 In
2030, 57% of this industry is predicted to have its foot in software development, sensors, and
electronic control units.

Israel has spearheaded development of these technologies for the automotive world, primarily
via start-ups. Since 2010, over 40 mobility-dedicated start-ups in Israel have received funding from
investors, as have over 300 start-ups with possible applications in mobility.44 Investment in auto
tech in Israel has seen strong growth, totaling over $18 billion since 2010.

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 This total investment amount puts Israel fourth globally among countries investing in autotech,
behind the United States, China, and United Kingdom, but ahead of traditional automotive leaders
like Germany and Japan.

In 2018, Cruise, the autonomous-driving unit of General Motors, valued at $14.6 billion, was
responsible for roughly a third of GM’s overall valuation on the public market. Cruise and
Honda collaborated on a new autonomous vehicle design, where Honda spent $2 billion in this
creation over 12 years, making an additional $750 million equity investment in Cruise.45
SoftBank Vision Fund made a $2.25 billion investment in Cruise to assist GM in deploying its
autonomous cars for commercial use. Furthermore, SoftBank invested an additional $940
million in Nuro.ai, a driverless delivery option.These movements show significant collaboration
among major businesses in this tech’s market.

Global AV
market size Commercial &
$30.6 valued at recreational
billion
2022
$87.5 billion
drones
estimated
in 2021,
estimated market
predicted
global drone
market size.46 $614.87 $55.8
billion
billion
by 2030.48
by 3030.47

AVS AND DRONES FOR GOOD

AVs and drones are enhancing our lives and the world at large in many ways. Prominent
companies are actively investing in these innovations, including traditional car manufacturers
and tech giants like Google.This tech’s benefit to society is far-reaching.

SAVING LIVES
As we discussed at the beginning of the chapter, drone networks are beneficial for saving lives,
and additionally for cutting costs and eliminating emissions. Avy’s fully electric aerial network of
drones offers rescue teams an affordable, reliable and integrated solution for their missions,
without the environmental impact.49 In case of dangerous fires, for example, Avy’s drone can
be deployed to fly over a target area to monitor heat while firefighters operate on the ground
so they can act with speed and precision.

In rescue-related missions, drones became crucial tools during the December 2020 Gjerdum,
Norway landslide.50 Because first responders often bear the same life-threatening risks as the
victims, DJI’s first unmanned responders were called in to help increase the chances for success
of the rescue operation and save lives.With seven DJI drones in action, rescue operations were
able to successfully evacuate 1,000 people and save 13 lives in subzero temperatures.51 These
DJI drones were deployed on 570 firefighter missions over 230 hours of airtime to investigate
31 homes that had been buried in the disaster.52

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In addition to saving lives through rescue operations, AVs and Drones bring a spike in safety
too. Data suggest that self-driving cars will ultimately make roads safer.53 The United States
reports nearly 95% of serious automobile crashes are due to human error, caused by factors
like miscalculations, poor judgment, speeding, drunk-driving, and phone use.54 Fully autonomous
vehicles would eliminate human error, thereby making our roads safer for drivers, passengers,
cyclists, and pedestrians. Suppose 90% of the cars in the United States were to become fully
autonomous. In that case, an estimated 25,000 lives could be saved every year, with economic
savings estimated at over $200 billion a year.55

FULLY AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES WOULD ELIMINATE HUMAN ERROR AND

MAKE ROADS SAFER.

Other societal benefits include easier parking and improved daily commuting. Reduced
emissions are also a major plus. By employing electric and hybrid autonomous vehicles,
societies could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 80% by 2050.56 AVs would also
offer major opportunities for public health if vehicles were used in a ridesharing format and
integrated into a model that also prioritizes public transport, cycling, and walking.This type of
model would promote physical activity, reduce air and noise pollution, provide more public
space for a healthy urban design, and present new business opportunities.57

LAND MANAGEMENT
As drones become less expensive and more common today, they are a viable tool for countries
with fewer resources to use for mapping projects.We take a look here at The Zanzibar mapping
initiative that aims to create a high-resolution map of the Zanzibar and Pemba islands, covering
an area of over 1,400 square miles.This is predicted to be done by using low-cost drones instead
of more expensive satellite images or manned planes.58 These maps are not purely
informational. Zanzibar Commission for Lands will use the maps for better planning, land
tenure, and environmental monitoring, which means that drones are and will be playing a vital
role in helping to implement sustainable practices in Zanzibar.

Drones can also patrol forests to monitor environmental and ecological changes. Researchers at
Imperial College London’s Aerial Robotics Laboratory have developed drones that can shoot
sensor-containing darts onto trees in tightly packed environments like forests.59 The drones can
also place sensors through contact or by landing precisely on tree branches.This saves time
that human manpower would require as well as the cost of clearing a pathway for human entry.
The end goal is to use these futuristic drones to create networks of sensors to boost data on
forest ecosystems and to track biomes like the Amazon rainforest. Further, tech companies
such as DroneSeed are planting millions of trees in reforestation efforts worldwide. (Case 47)

MARINE MANAGEMENT
USVs and AUVs are delivering safer and more sustainable approaches to constructing and
maintaining marine assets as well.These play a valuable role in the maintenance and
observance of oceans, seas, rivers, and lakes.To ensure safety to our most valuable natural
resources, AUVs and USVs assist in performing important tasks on and within bodies of water.
USVs and AUVs can cover and collect data in larger areas, at greater depths, and at quicker
speeds than human divers and researchers. In addition, the deployment of a team of long-range
and long-endurance AUVs and USVs are capable of collecting environmental measurements
without adversely affecting marine life.

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47 IN BUSINESS
DRONESEED60
Initiative: #Teamtrees
Headquarters: Seattle,Washington USA

DroneSeed is a tech company specializing in drone reforestation.They produce their own large
UAVs specifically designed to plant trees over large areas efficiently, rapidly, and in ways that
will maximize the survivability and success rate of the seeds. Incorporating a collaborative social
component, a reforestation project was initiated when viral YouTuber Jimmy Donaldson was
challenged by his followers to plant 20 million trees to celebrate reaching 20 million
subscribers. He partnered with fellow YouTuber and former NASA engineer Mark Rober.
Together, they worked with DroneSeed and the Arbor Day Foundation to create a campaign
called #TeamTrees where every dollar donated would plant one tree (SDG 17).

Using drones to plant seeds has numerous advantages. For example, just three drones can plant
an area six times faster than a man-powered planting crew (SDG 8).61 In areas recently affected
by forest fires, planting tree seeds quickly is crucial to preventing tall shrubs from taking over
the area (SDG 15). Software analyzes the terrain data and determines the best locations to place
seeds for the optimal survival rate (SDG 12). DroneSeed makes the tree-planting process easy
by first sending out one drone to perform a 3D scan of the terrain. Software analyzes the terrain
data and determines the best locations to place seeds for the optimal survival rate. Flight paths
are created, and then another fleet of drones fly autonomously on the flight paths while dispensing
DroneSeed’s proprietary seed vessels. Each vessel contains a combination of seeds optimal for
the location and the necessary fertilizer. By combining proven reforestation practices with new

48
technology, the company regrows healthy, resilient, climate-adapted forests (SDGs 9,13).

SEA-KIT INTERNATIONAL62
Initiative: Furgo Marine Geo-Data
Headquarters: Essex, United Kingdom

Uncrewed surface vessel (USV) company Sea-Kit International partnered with geo-data
specialist Furgo to offer hi-tech geospatial technologies (SDG 17). Providing data to maritime
and research industries, Sea-Kit collaborates with Furgo to develop a new range of agile and
compact uncrewed surface vessels capable of deploying USVs for marine asset inspections (SDG
14).These adaptable, uncrewed, and remotely-controlled vessels enable multiple use cases,
including maritime logistics, environmental management, marine inspection, and efficient
survey of the ocean floors (SDGs 9,12,13).Through extended mission capability and reduced
downtime, the deployment of SEA-KIT USVs represents significant cost savings as well as
reduced carbon emissions for companies operating in the commercial offshore sector (SDGs
7,8). Sea-Kit has accelerated the development and use of uncrewed vessels remotely operated
from Fugro’s remote operating centers; this will ultimately improve safety, efficiency, and
reduce the environmental impact on marine activities (SDGs 3,16).This new range of maritime
autonomous vehicles will consume up to 95% less fuel than traditional vessels, a prospect that
supports international ambitions for zero global emissions in the marine industry.63
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These innovative systems can increase the spatial and temporal scale of the monitoring
while providing persistence and synopticity.64 Sea-Kit International conducts important research to
understand conditions of ongoing phenomena under the sea, such as oil spills or algal blooms, by
deploying autonomous vessels to track activities (Case 48).

AVS AND DRONES FOR GOOD ACROSS SECTORS

Beyond human and environmental needs, AV and drone technology is now also widely used for
commercial, professional, and industrial goods, as well as for private purposes.The tech is even
being deployed for beauty and positivity, as visual artist Reuben Wu recently released a new
series of photos called Light Storm featuring creative uses of drone lighting for surrealistic
nighttime and dusk to dawn imaging.65 Specifically, the artist creates mountain halo shots by
leveraging long exposure times and pre-programmed flight paths to capture stunning images.

Different sectors of the economy, including agriculture, transport, infrastructure,

entertainment, and telecommunications make use of UAVs, USVs, and AUVs applications.
Drones of all types can prove to be a major force for good as they hold massive potential to
meet the needs of the SDGs. Developing countries are facing famine, epidemic diseases, poverty,
and other challenges. AV and drone technology can help address each of these problems. As an
example, failing bridges are a severe economic and safety burden on cities and nations. Japanese
drone company Skydio helps manage this infrastructure issue through inspection and monitoring
(Case 49).

With the COVID-19 pandemic, the market for drones as delivery vehicles in agriculture,
ecommerce, and healthcare has seen an exponential growth. As if these applications were not
enough, drones also prove to be effective for monitoring and surveillance in international and
domestic law enforcement, wildlife preservation, and scientific research.

“WE ARE BUILDING THE TECHNOLOGY PLATFORM FOR EXTREMELY FAST,

POINT-TO-POINT, URBAN MEDICAL DELIVERY, ENABLING HOSPITAL SYSTEMS
TO SHRINK PATIENT WAITING TIMES AND SAVE MILLIONS OF DOLLARS
PER YEAR.”66 - ANDREAS RAPTOPOULOS, CEO OF MATTERNET

Markets across many sectors prepare for full autonomy and seek to increase profits from AV-
critical technology capabilities.This will be important for AVs.These advanced driver tech systems
expand from premium to mass offerings in developed markets, thereby leading to developing
markets, including China, boosting the next growth curve.67 It is natural that automobile accident
prevention due to the technology will fuel more consumers willing to pay for enhanced features.

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49 IN BUSINESS
SKYDIO 69
Initiative: Japan’s Bridge Inspections
Headquarters: Redwood City, California USA

Rehabilitating Japan’s faltering national infrastructure is projected to cost the nation nearly $6
trillion.70 By employing drones to help, it completely changes this equation for Japan Infrastructure
Waymark (JIW) (SDGs 16,17). In just one year, drone technology has assisted JIW in decreasing
the cost-per-bridge inspection by 75% and growing inspection volume by 7,000% (SDG 12).71
To do this, JIW deployed Skydio drones, the largest US UAV manufacturer and a world leader
in autonomous flight. JIW has been growing its business rapidly, providing bridge inspections to
Japan’s network of approximately 714,000 bridges (SDG 9).72 Skydio enables JIW to inspect more
complex bridges with greater precision.

Additionally, Skydio Autonomy division provides 75% cost advantages over pre-drone methods
on jobs that manual drones cannot perform (SDG 8). JIW has on-boarded 68 new pilots in 12
months by lowering the training burden from 100 to 8 hours of flight time (SDG 4).73 JIW’s over
300 Skydio drones have enabled safe flights in complex environments, more precise data capture,
and scalable systems (SDGs 3,14). Due to drone tech growth, JIW’s inspection business grew
an impressive 70 times in 12 months. In March 2021, the company became the first US drone
manufacturer to exceed $1 billion in value.74

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AVS AND DRONES PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS
AVs and drones at the peak of their application will have a significant impact on addressing all
17 SDGs.The United Nations states that by 2030, drone technologies could assist greatly in
ending the epidemics in impoverished regions with high rates of AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria,
and neglected tropical diseases.68 They can combat hepatitis, water-borne diseases, and other
infectious diseases through rapid and expanded delivery services. Drones also hugely benefit
urban areas as they enable greener, more cost-effective inspections of aging and decaying
infrastructure. Using UAVs for this necessary service cuts the carbon footprint of traditional
inspection methods and ensures efficiency by completing more inspections in less time. As
AV and drone tech is the future of transportation, these emerging technologies will provide
safe travel by eliminating human driving errors and providing lucrative business opportunities in
terms of sustainable development. Let’s have a closer look at the targeted SDGs.

ZERO HUNGER
These technologies have great potential to curb global food shortages through
enhanced delivery services and farming practices.Unmanned Aviation Systems
provide data to increase farm productivity and enable sustainable farming.They
can also be used to identify weeds and deliver herbicide only when needed, and
eventually could replace herbicides altogether by locating and removing individual weeds.75

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Global health benefits greatlt from AV and drone technology. One way is by providing
patients in need with essential medical and nutritional supplies no matter how
remote or inaccessible the area. In Ghana, Zipline drones are being used to collect
COVID-19 test samples and deliver them to medical facilities for testing as well,
resulting in quicker and more cost-effective deliveries.76 UAVs can also reduce the delivery of
blood samples for HIV tests and other time-sensitive supplies from 11 days to less than 30 minutes.

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

AV and drone innovations are expected to enhance the energy sector. AV algorithms
prioritize efficiency, which is predicted to reduce energy consumption by up to
20%.77 In the US, drone delivery can reduce up to 113,900 tons per year of CO2
emissions, equivalent to 46,000 acres per year of new forest.78 The renewable energy
space has begun using UAVs where drones provide solar farm managers with accurate data via
new technological developments, such as thermal sensors.This ensures that routine operations
are conducted more efficiently. Energy providers are deploying drones to increase the efficiency of
energy plant operations, with UAV monitoring systems playing a critical role in providing reliable
and affordable energy to their customers.

REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Nearly one billion people worldwide have limited access to emergency services.
Utilizing cargo AVs and UAVs to carry supplies to many of these isolated
communities can save lives, and create jobs.79 We have been discussing that due to
the increased safety features of AVs, crashes are less likely to occur.The tech also
allows for the reduction of vehicle weight and size, which decreases fuel consumption by 5% to
23% while also reducing costs for drivers.80

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 SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
AVs have the potential to reduce traffic congestion and air pollution, while also
saving lives and money on infrastructure projects in urban regions.81 Connected car
technologies, as well as vehicles that collectively travel close together, are expected
to reduce energy consumption between 3% and 25%.82 Electric, batterypowered
drones are being hailed as a solution to necessary infrastructure inspections in cities around the
world. Drones also make inspections quicker and cheaper, providing more thorough examinations
that reduce the need for carbon-and labor-intensive inspections. Even if UAVs were to inspect only
half of the bridges in the US, UK, Australia and Japan – just a fraction of the world’s inspection
agenda – it would be the carbon equivalent of removing tens of thousands of vehicles from the
roads each year.83

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

AVs are predicted to reduce the cost of driving because of decreased insurance
prices and lowered time consumption.This is the result of improvements in
productivity and driving comfort. Not only do AVs offer opportunities to reduce the
cost of driving, they also create significant CO2 emission reductions. Lowering CO2
emissions by over 20 metric tons when the overall traffic speed rises from 34 to 53 miles per hour,
AVs are poised to provide many benefits.84 In 2019, nearly 4,500 drones in the Chinese province
of Xinjiang accomplished agricultural productivity for 65% of the cotton fields in the region: raising
Xinjiang’s cotton output by 400,000 tons and increasing revenue by $430 million. Drones stimulate
economic growth and support the rural working class in China by removing time and labor costs
from the equation, helping farmers escape poverty.

LIFE BELOW WATER

Of Earth’s 70% water surface, only about 20% has been mapped using modern,
high-resolution technology.85 An accurate seafloor map is vital for navigation,
transportation, telecommunications, or physical oceanography. AVs and Drones
generate numerous solutions for this.86 Saildrone’s fleet of sea-going AVs provide
near-shore and open-ocean mapping solutions. Norway’s Blueye underwater drone operates at
waterworks and hydropower plants to inspect and document maintenance tasks in areas where
humans have no access.87 Additionally, research sites located along the Mekong River in South-East
Asia, as well as along the Ganges River in India, use drones to observe plastic pollution in oceans
and rivers.

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TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 ZERO HUNGER
ƒ Imaging crop health and causes of crop failure in famine-affected
countries.
ƒ Deliver food faster and more efficiently to underserved or
disaster areas.
ƒ Enable business opportunities through networks of innovative
food production and transport.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ƒ Allow for rapid delivery of medicine,
vaccines, and pharmaceuticals.
ƒ Reduce costs of transport.

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

ƒ Offer efficient energy output and a significant reduction in
resource use.
ƒ Conduct frequent aerial inspections of renewable energy
systems across large areas.
ƒ Provide comprehensive energy monitoring, leading to better
data for consumer preferences.

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 REDUCED INEQUALITIES
ƒ Ensure greater global access to healthcare products via drone deliveries.
ƒ Improve human safety through AV technologies, allowing markets to
emerge for new driverless products.
ƒ Augment public safety initiatives via drone monitoring capabilities in
terms of crime and disaster detection.

SUSTAINABLE RESPONSIBLE
CITIES AND PRODUCTION AND
COMMUNITIES AUTONOMOUS CONSUMPTION
ƒ Reduce CO2
VEHICLES
ƒ Reduce traffic
congestion in urban emissions significantly
areas through CV due to enhanced

AND DRONES
and AV technologies. driving efficiency of
ƒ Inspect AVs.
infrastructure in ƒ Increase agricultural
more efficient and productivity through
cost-effective ways. drone imaging
ƒ Decrease the and monitoring
necessity for parking technologies.
spaces in city
centers.

LIFE BELOW WATER

ƒ Engage in advanced underwater and deep-sea
mapping capabilities.
ƒ Observe the ocean to help reduce plastic
pollution and mitigate environmental impacts.
ƒ Monitor offshore energy with the efficient and
streamlined processes of USVs and AUVs.

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 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
The AV and drone sector’s technological advancements offer a range of business
benefits.91 To name a few, mobility-on-demand services maximize efficiency and utilization of
the vehicle network, including car sharing. Open-sourced driver assistance programs are being
developed, including software to improve autonomous vehicles’ functionality and energy
efficiency. Not only do these techs stand on their own for business growth, but they also offer a
host of other potential opportunities for associated companies that provide relevant services.

Data collection is becoming increasingly relevant for business forecasting. For many businesses,
drones are quickly joining in on the inevitable digitalization strategies. Along with cloud services
and big-data computing, the unprecedented data gathering capabilities of drones can radically
alter the competitive dynamics of the information landscape.89

Drone data collections provide the precursor of a larger shift of imagery analysis and data
science that goes beyond mapping to strengthen entire workflows within companies.
Innovative industry leaders and business executives already see the benefits of integrating UAV
tech solutions into their business practices by discovering ways to use drones to gather
intelligence for market research. Of the many potential business models stemming from this
tech, the most immediate intrigue that drones present is to enable us to go virtually
anywhere.90 It seems there will be no limit as more businesses discover how drones bring the
world into highly advanced imaging.

Drones for renewable energy maintenance have made it easier to ensure that renewable
installations are operational on a consistent basis, and drones for high-resolution real-time aerial
data solutions can more efficiently manage land use, transport, and pollution.This tech allows
businesses to serve their customers in new ways, enabling more effective and cheaper methods
to monitor and collect data, maintain and service infrastructure and assets, and distribute
supplies.91

STREAMLINING DELIVERY SERVICES

Over the last decade, the retail giant Amazon has spent billions of dollars working to streamline
delivery. It has proposed the development of Amazon Prime Air, a drone delivery system that
anticipates package deliveries in 30 minutes or less. More recently, an increasing percentage of
that investment has been directed toward autonomous vehicle technology. In 2020, Amazon
announced it would acquire Zoox, a startup developing autonomous driving tech geared toward
ride-hailing customers.This $1.2 billion deal provided Amazon with access to software, AI, and
a full-stack self-driving solution and put them a step ahead of its competitors. Zoox achieved a
key milestone in the testing and rollout of its autonomous electric vehicle in June 2022 where it
operated with no one inside, no chase vehicle, and no emergency stop, all on open, private
roads.

App-based autonomous vehicle networks using the cloud and apps to optimize a network of
autonomous vehicles have also seen significant growth. Middleware vendors, application
players and cloud and telecommunications leaders are merging to form the connected car
ecosystem. As technology continues to grow and play a larger role in consumers’ lives,

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industries have transformed and adapted.With the onset of COVID and other factors, online
services as a result of ubiquitous internet access have predominated.This movement in the
market has shifted delivery methods and eliminated many human components.

GLOBAL GOALS GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES

Recent developments in AV and drone technologies promise an exciting future with a market
growth potential of spread and breadth that has not yet been realized.With colossal funding
allocated for these techs, the world will witness major business development and significant
market opportunities. Along with early-stage startups,VCs and other investors, tech giants such
as Tesla and Alphabet are pumping money into developing AVs. Many major automotive
manufacturers, including General Motors, Ford, Mercedes Benz,Volkswagen, Audi, Nissan,
Toyota, BMW, and Volvo are in the process of testing driverless car systems.92

INSURERS HAVE AN ESTIMATED OPPORTUNITY OF $81 BILLION BETWEEN

2020 AND 2025 FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF COVERAGE OPTIONS FOR
AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES.93

Drones can substitute traditional methods of operation in many business activities.The usage
of drones has broadened in a variety of industries due to their ability to drive efficiency and
data analytics. Data efficiency and data analytics allow companies to better comprehend and
predict operating performance. In addition to these benefits, drones will enable new business
models and opportunities across many industries.

PROVIDING HEALTH SERVICES

Drones and autonomous vehicles can invariably play a major role in the rapid delivery of
vaccines, medications, and supplies directly to the source, thereby helping to manage
outbreaks of life-threatening communicable diseases.With the capability for rapid delivery to
areas where critical infrastructure damage would prevent humans operating typical ground or
air transport, AVs and UAVs present several business opportunities in the healthcare sector.

AN ESTIMATED 23 MILLION FULLY AUTONOMOUS VEHICLES WILL BE DRIVING

US ROADS AND HIGHWAYS BY 2035.94

Much of the global population lives without access to essential healthcare services.With over
40% of all people living in rural areas,95 and only 30% of those living near an accessible road,96
significant health challenges, poor infrastructure, and failing ground transport networks often
result in a lack of supplies and care.The COVID-19 pandemic, along with numerous recent
natural disasters, has highlighted the breakdown of supply chains in securing healthcare
supplies worldwide. Drones have made it possible for healthcare workers to deliver blood,
vaccines, birth control, snake bite serum, and other medical supplies to rural hard-to-reach
areas.

These UAVs have the ability to reach victims requiring immediate medical attention within
minutes. In some cases, this urgency could be the difference between life and death. Small
indoor drones could deliver medicine to the bedside of a patient from the pharmacy, leading to
more rapid and less erred medication dissemination.97 The UPS Foundation, Zipline and the Vaccine
Alliance Gavi recently formed a partnership to begin transporting blood and
vaccines using drones to rural areas in Rwanda (Case 50).98 With greater global adoption, we could
thus see some human steps eliminated from the process.

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 In June 2020, CVS Pharmacy began a pilot program using a fleet of Nuro autonomous vehicles
to bring prescriptions and other medical essentials free of charge to customers in the Houston,
Texas metropolitan area.99 Amsterdam-based drone developer Avy partnered with the European
Drones for Health project to accelerate reduction of preventable maternal deaths by delivering
health supplies, blood, and laboratory specimens promptly to those in need.100

We also have the example of Coldchain, a healthcare supply chain management company that
recently announced plans to spend $750,000 on Draganfly’s drone equipment to ship medical
supplies and COVID-19 vaccines on an experimental basis.101 Draganfly’s drones use 12-inch,
cube-shaped, thermal containers developed by Coldchain that can hold roughly 600 to 15,000
vials of vaccines. Similarly, US based tech companies Matternet102 and Zipline103 have used an
innovative business model during the pandemic to make greater community access to goods
more feasible.

Another company employing efficient medical courier solutions is Matternet. Based in North
Carolina, the tech startup has been a support to the COVID-19 response in the United States.
With their quadcopter (with four rotors) design, Matternet’s drones offer reliable
transportation of diagnostic samples and medical items between facilities.They also automate
other steps in the delivery process including removing packages from the drone, storing them,
controlling who can pick them up, and even giving the drone a new battery if needed.104 Through
an existing partnership between Matternet and UPS, drones have performed medical deliveries
in North Carolina and have also supported a retirement community in Florida with more than
135,000 residents by dropping in prescriptions without human contact from a local pharmacy.105 In
the era of the coronavirus, contactless deliveries via drone have reduced the risk of infection for
medical professionals working high-risk jobs, and also for the patients they are treating.This tech
solution truly is lifesaving.

OPTIMIZING FOOD AND AGRICULTURE WITH DATA AND ANALYTICS

It is crucial to develop credible alternatives to the status quo of intensive agriculture as the
world faces food shortages. By helping analyze crop yields and providing key data on soil quality
and other crucial factors, the drone industry brings hope to the food and agricultural sectors.
Drone startups present the possibility of helping farmers become more sustainable and
increase their yield.The benefits to using drones in the agricultural sector are countless;
farmers can not only optimize spraying of pesticides in areas that need treatment which
significantly reduces the amount used, but they can also reduce water use, control crop quality,
and access difficult-to-reach areas.

“WORLDWIDE, ABOUT A THIRD OF ALL CROPS ARE LOST. IT’S EASY TO

BLAME BUGS, BUT REALLY, A LACK OF INFORMATION IS DESTROYING THESE
PLANTS.”106 - NIKHIL VADHAVKA, CEO OF RAPTORMAPS

Agricultural drones are often programmed to take pictures of the crops and fields.These
devices communicate with software to create high-resolution maps, ultimately informing
farmers about irrigation, soil, and infestation problems. European startups such as Switzerland-
based Gamava107 and France-based Delair108 provide visual intelligence solutions that allow
farmers to capture, manage, and analyze their crops, thereby turning data into valuable insights.
There is a large business opportunity for drones in several areas, which include helping protect
food crops and making them more sustainable by reducing spraying. Further, UAVs could assist
farmers in switching to organically certified products to spray over their plots of land.109

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50
IN BUSINESS
ZIPLINE110
Initiative: Medical Delivery Drone Service
Headquarters: San Francisco, California USA

Zipline launched a medical-product-delivery-by-autonomous-drone service in 2016.The

company was delivering life-saving blood and medical supplies to remote and underserved
clinics and hospitals in Rwanda (SDGs1,3).Three years later, the tech company expanded
operations to Ghana, and by 2021, they had made about 200,000 life-saving deliveries.111
In response to the pandemic, in April 2020, Zipline added COVID-19 test samples to its
medical delivery services (SDG 9).They used their drones to collect tests from 1,000
rural health facilities in Ghana and delivered them to the company’s distribution center in
Omenako before traveling again to health centers for analysis (SGs 8,10).112 This marked
the first time that autonomous drones made regular long-range deliveries into densely
populated urban areas (SDG 11).

South Africa’s recent founding of the Drone Council facilitates the expansion of the
drone industry, with one of its objectives being to promote a more balanced involvement
of women (SDG 5).The blood sent by drone is often used for postpartum blood loss
and to treat malaria-induced anemia. “Basically, it’s very doable to save a woman’s life if
they have blood, and it’s very hard to save that woman’s life if they don’t,” said Keenan
Wyrobek, co-founder and head of product and engineering at Zipline.113 “In terms of
value to society, there’s not only the loss of a life, but also a child growing up without a
mother, so I think we’ve made a big impact on communities.”

Zipline’s delivery service allows the government to monitor and respond more closely to
the disease spread in remote areas of the country, also reducing test wait times and the
hazard of damaged samples (SDG 16). As of 2022, Zipline has amassed approximately 30.5
million miles flown, over 4 million products delivered, 450,000 commercial deliveries, and
25 million serviceable customers.

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51 IN BUSINESS
XAG114
Initiative: P100 Agricultural Drone
Headquarters: Guangzhou, China

XAG is an agriculture technology company with pioneering expertise in precision

agriculture and remote sensing drones, founded in 2007. XAG P100 Agricultural
Drone is crafted so that it can integrate efficient spreading and precision spraying
modules (SDG 9). It is a powerful and reliable drone with the intention to open a
new era of smart agriculture (SDGs 15). XAG’s latestgeneration agricultural drone
is versatile with many applications for precision farming.115 It can autonomously un-
dertake spraying, fertilizing, and sowing functions for multiple crops.This
agricultural drone is already assisting farmers across China,Vietnam, and Austral-
ia to reduce seeds, pesticides, and fertilizers without affecting crop yields (SDGs
2,12).These drones can finish the fieldwork much faster and with more precision
than 20 to 25 laborers who would spray pesticides manually (SDGs 1,10).116 Thus,
XAG is also looking to address the ongoing labor shortage in the agricultural
sector with this drone featuring several improvements over previous-generation
models (SDG 8).

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Agriculture technology companies across the world are increasingly relying on autonomous
vehicles. Autonomous vehicles are helping yield more crops amidst growing populations. XAG is a
Chinese drone tech firm helping make precision planting, spraying, and harvesting more streamlined
and efficient processes, directly affecting crop output and profits (Case 51).

DRONES FOR AGRICULTURE – CHINA

New and unconventional technologies are combating poverty in rural China, providing solutions to
low agricultural yields and unsustainable farming practices.These are three drone projects that are
addressing business solutions in impoverished Chinese communities:
Satellite imagery: Drones continuously monitor crop health from the sky and assist in spraying
herbicides and other supplements. In addition, UAVs can produce imaging of crop fields that
farmers can then view for crop management purposes.These drone-enabled photos can determine
the exact conditions and resources needed for agriculture to thrive, which is termed “precision
agriculture.” More than 55,000 agricultural drones are currently in use in China, spraying necessary
crop-enhancing pesticides over an estimated 30 million hectares of land.117
Yields and incomes: In 2019, about 4,500 drones in the Chinese province of Xinjiang
monitored for agricultural productivity for 65% of the cotton fields in the region.118 This
introduction of UAVs raised Xinjiang’s cotton output by 400,000 tons, which subsequently caused a
$430 million increase in revenue. As an added benefit, one drone can do the work of 60 farmers in
one hour and can spray pesticides 50 to 80 times faster than traditional farming.119 With efficient
agricultural practices and harvesting, drones stimulate economic growth and reduce poverty by
supporting the rural working class in China in terms of time and labor costs.
New networks: Drones are beneficial in rugged terrain, as they can travel through the air. Some
drones can be controlled through cell phones, which is especially useful for farmers who cannot
manage to survey certain problematic areas. Some drones have also allowed farmers to access
weather and disaster warnings, saving both unnecessary labor and a loss in revenues.120 This is
hugely beneficial for dealing with poverty.

In addition, AVs can help supplement labor shortages on farms. Blue River Technology, a
creator of autonomous planting and spraying solutions, records a savings of 90% on herbicides
overall. Fighting weeds costs farmers an average of $11 billion each year.121 We see a future
ahead where autonomous, artificial intelligence-powered technology helps farms to better
distinguish between crops and weeds, and kill only the weeds with exactly the right amount of
herbicide.

ACCOMMODATING THE FUTURE OF CITIES

The global population is expected to rise to 9.7 billion in 2050.122 Much of this population
growth will occur in cities, putting stress on infrastructure and services. AVs and UAVs present
several solution-based business opportunities within cities.The vision of the future of city
infrastructure includes self-driving cars and shared mobility.These are futuristic ways of

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 revolutionizing how we navigate through cities that fundamentally change their infrastructure.
These autonomous solutions will not just change the way we travel, but they will also bring to
cities more efficient and predictable traffic control and public transportation.

For example, AVs and UAVs can provide us with much safer roads. According to the US
National Highway Traffic Administration, 94% of serious car crashes are caused by human
error.123 Autonomous vehicles and drones can replace traditional driving practices and potentially
introduce and create new opportunities that were previously not possible. AVs can also be
highly beneficial in cities to free up parking spaces and make room for business opportunities by
redesigning roadways to accommodate fewer drivers. AVs and UAVs could bring all these benefits,
improving millions of people’s quality of life while also creating new business opportunities.
Research suggests that the automotive software and electronics market will grow by 7% year
over year in the coming years, becoming a $470 billion industry.124

ACCORDING TO THE U.S. NATIONAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC ADMINISTRATION, 94%

OF SERIOUS CAR CRASHES ARE CAUSED BY HUMAN ERROR.125

Predictions state that in 2030, 57% of this industry, including software development, sensors,
and electronic control units, will aid in implementing autonomous infrastructure in cities.The
appeal for more automation in cities translates to new revenue for businesses, especially if
AV/UAV delivery can deliver orders more quickly or reach customers they would not otherwise
have been able to. As we have been expositing, shifting deliveries from gas-powered vehicles
on the road to electric ones in the air could relieve traffic congestion and reduce emissions.
Similarly, startup Hoversurf developed a human-carrying drone serving as a taxi.

A recent study by Virginia Tech modeled how a simulated drone-delivery service might affect
three U.S. cities: Christiansburg, Columbus, and Austin. Findings stated that the hours saved,
revenue earned, and tons of carbon dioxide diverted would be worth the shift. Over a five-year
period, retail stores could see an increase in sales between 50 and 165%; restaurants would
benefit with sales growth between 121 and 250%; swapping car trips for drone deliveries could
cut out up to 294 million miles of road travel and 114,000 tons of carbon dioxide in a single
metro area annually.126

AMPING UP NEW ENERGY SERVICES

AVs and UAVs play an important and ever-increasing role in the energy sector. One of the
several applications for drones in the energy industry is often related to wind turbines
operating onshore or offshore.The flying monitoring of photovoltaic systems is also a
prominent application. UAVs can help save potentially billions of dollars each year globally by
increasing efficiency, reducing cost and time to complete audits and energy surveys, and
improving worker safety.127

Drones provide safe and efficient inspections for applications across the energy industry,
including traditional power generation, transmission, and distribution.Traditional groundbased
data collection in the energy sector typically lacks the detail and flexibility that a drone
can provide. Further, UAV technology can drastically reduce inspection time, save labor costs,
and reduce hazardous labor.

Scientists claim drones are 97% more efficient compared to manual inspections for solar farms.
Instead of human workers walking across many acres of solar panels or climbing onto roofs,
drones complete a detailed inspection of 100% solar panels in a fraction of the time at about 10
minutes per megawatt.128 UAVs can also conduct a complete thermal inspection using an
infrared camera, identifying hotspots that manual inspections might miss.This data is often
directly uploaded into interactive online web maps. Israeli tech company Nando is an example of
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52
IN BUSINESS
HOVERSURF129
Initiative: Hover Flying Car
Headquarters: San Francisco, California USA

The Hover flying car is a fully automatic taxi drone operating system that specializes in
Air Transport as a Service (ATaaS), allowing passengers to call an air taxi and travel via
an approved route to their destination (SDG 9). Putting safety first, Hoversurf ’s patented
software endeavors to consider all aspects of air travel.The unique drone layout with ad-
ditional propulsion motors allows Hover to fly twice as fast as conventional drones (SDG
12). Hover has achieved the dimensions of a regular car with a range of 100 km, speed of
200 km/h, and altitude of 150 meters. In addition, this innovative tech company plans to
secure 10% of the Smart City urban air mobility (UAM) market in 2040 (SDG 11).130 Re-
search predicts we could foresee a $2 billion market with 1,000 aircraft operating soon in
several cities, growing to $18 billion and 12,000 units in 25 cities by 2025, and eventually
reaching $58 billion and 43,000 units in 64 cities by 2030 (SDGs 10,17).131 The company
plans on smooth integration into the real urban infrastructure where drivers can park
easily by landing in a standard parking space, maneuvering in the parking lot, and driving
into the garage.

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53 IN BUSINESS
NANDO132
Initiative: Drone Security For Solar Farms
Headquarters: Bnei Atarot, Israel

Nando drones help maintain safe, efficient operations at large industrial facilities
such as solar farms (SDGs 7,16). Replacing human operators, who must constantly
be aware of and manage on-site activity, equipment, technology, and ongoing pro-
cesses, Nando autonomous drone-based platform turns the archaic model of site
security upside down (SDG 8). Instead of guards making the rounds and patrolling a
perimeter to detect intrusions into the secured site, with a response team on call,
autonomous drones in the sky hover above a site for up to 70 minutes at a time.
These technologically advanced UAVs are capable of detecting both movement and
the human form at a range of up to 250 meters. Given the superior field of vision
of drones, together with exceptional flight time, these “eyes in the sky” are capa-
ble of replacing perimeter patrol for a fraction of the cost (SDGs 10,12). Nando
drones are coupled with another unique Israeli innovation – the camera. Utilizing
advanced AI technology, an ANN (artificial neural network) algorithm enables the
camera to perform deep learning (SDG 9).The camera has both night and daytime
capabilities, which enables real-time onboard image processing and identification
while the drone is in flight.When real-time identification of an object occurs, the
control system transmits a warning to the management system which is capable of
tracking the identified object.

Nando’s platform is designed not only for the security needs of high-end industri-
al solar farms, cannabis fields, car lots, gas drilling sites, and factories but also for
other non-security applications, such as monitoring capabilities for various param-
eters in mines and agricultural fields (SDG 11). Israel is one of the world’s largest
exporters of unmanned aircrafts, in terms of the number of systems sold. Over the
last decade, Israel has exported $4.6 billion worth of UAVs to countries ranging
from Great Britain to India to Uganda.133

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drone providing innovative solutions for solar energy operations (Case 53). Repair personnel in
the field can use uploaded maps on a smartphone app for maintenance.

ISS Aerospace, a UAV systems leader in the defense and energy sectors, increases efficiency for
its customers and completes energy inspection and audit tasks much quicker.134 Specifically,
it eliminates the need for planes, helicopters, and climbers to undertake these tasks, thereby
dramatically reducing energy survey costs and danger.

Key factors driving the market growth for AVs in the energy sector include the rising need for
road safety, environmental impact of traditional vehicles, and increased energy savings by
autonomous vehicles.135 When energy savings are factored into the equation, the net result is a
reduction in lifetime energy use and associated greenhouse gas emissions of approximately
10% compared to conventional vehicles.136 Considering all of the potential uses of autonomous
electric vehicles – including taxis and service vehicles in major cities, or the transport of goods
on highways – it is increasingly evident how this technology has a significant positive impact on
the environment through energy efficiency and savings.137

UAV INSPECTIONS OF RENEWABLE ENERGY ASSETS – LIDAR SENSORS – USA:138

Drones can improve the quality of information they supply to many energy stakeholders and
partners. LiDAR sensors mounted onto drones have improved surveying efficiency and accuracy.
Photogrammetry by UAVs provides valuable data of site monitoring to superintendents, power
plants, solar farms, and dam managers. Power companies also invest in software to turn data
collected by drones (photographic, GIS, thermal, and infrared) into actionable intelligence.
Drones present ideal business opportunities for renewable energy assets through gains that
reduce cost, improve critical energy and water infrastructure reliability, and enhance safety and
decrease business risk.
Solar Energy – Drones can detect malfunctioning panels far quicker on more than 6,000 utility-
scale solar facilities in the US that require regular inspections. For commissioning, warranty, or
regular maintenance, drone inspections are 95% more efficient and can identify defects that
manual inspections might miss. In addition, drone inspections save 10 minutes per megawatt
and, on average, $1,200 per megawatt in costs, with larger sites saving more.
Wind Power – Drones eliminate much of the climbing hazards associated with inspecting more
than 52,000 utility-scale US wind turbines.With a demonstrated inspection time of 15 to 30
minutes per turbine, drones reduce man-hours and turbine downtime for maintenance checks
by over 75%. Drones equipped with a high-resolution camera also perform preventive
maintenance inspections on wind turbines, whereby crews can locate and photograph problem
areas on blades or the tower itself.
Hydroelectric Energy – Hydroelectric power stations produced 38% of the total renewable
electricity in the country in 2019 and 6.6% of total electricity, the highest in the US for a
renewable source.139 For the safety and integrity of the dams located in at least 34 US states,
regular inspection is necessary. Drones can largely undertake these tasks, along with fish ladder
monitoring, aerial photography, construction monitoring, and dam monitoring during flood
inspections.

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 SECURING WATER MONITORING
Unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs) are the type of vehicles capable of functioning under
the water in the ocean and rivers without a human occupant.These can be remotely operated
vehicles (ROVs) controlled by a distant human operator, and autonomous underwater vehicles
(AUVs) capable of functioning on their own. Some of the business opportunities with this tech
include conducting marine research, environmental surveys, aquaculture, and inspections of tanks,
propellers, and boat hulls.140 Ocean floor mapping is also a growing business, as today, only 21% of
the ocean is considered mapped to modern standards.141

The technological advancements in UUVs include high-resolution cameras and highly sensitive
sonar that reduces the time required to inspect underwater equipment.These tech innovations
have opened new avenues of opportunities in the underwater drone market. Companies
operating in this market globally include The Boeing Company, Lockheed Martin Corporation,
Bluefin Robotics, Saab Seaeye Ltd,Teledyne Marine Group, Kongsberg Maritime, Oceaneering
International Inc.,TechnipFMC plc, ECA Group, and Deep Ocean Engineering Inc.142

SUBMERSIBLE DRONES ARE ESTIMATED TO BE A NEARLY $5 BILLION

MARKET AS OF THE END OF 2022.143

UUVs have a strong market presence among oceanographers, filmmakers, and the military.
Although these submersible devices have traditionally been expensive, starting at about
$20,000, there is currently a $2,000 version for consumers that represent the biggest future for
these devices.They have many of the same features and capabilities as the more expensive
professional drones.There are various technical demands of making high-performance
underwater drones, including attention to how the ocean affects hardware in terms of currents,
buoyancy, navigation, and other elements. Underwater drones are becoming increasingly
popular with small startups and companies that are on a mission to address underwater
sustainability challenges. Submersible drones are estimated to be a nearly $5 billion market as of
the end of 2022.144

Unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) for mapping the ocean floor have a strong presence in
international waters. Seabed 2030 is a joint project of The Nippon Foundation and General
Bathymetric Chart of the Oceans (GEBCO), with a mission to map 100% of the ocean floor by
2030.145 In addition to providing a much-needed force multiplier for surveying, USV systems
lower environmental impacts by using harvestable energy, eliminating personnel at sea, and
reducing ship-generated noise, overboard discharge, and potential for pollution. Compared to
350 ship years and a cost of over $3 billion using traditional methods, the Saildrone Surveyor USV
offers a solution to successfully achieve the goal of Seabed by 2030, especially on the high
seas (Case 54).146

In January 2020, Blueye launched a new product called Blueye Pro, which has proven an asset
for all maritime businesses. It is a flexible, completely autonomous and easy-to-use tool to
perform underwater inspections.147 The installation of new features such as the camera-tilt
functions can measure a depth rating of 305 meters, performing more use cases for underwater
inspections. Autonomous high-resolution ocean mapping data for navigation and charting
offshore energy, at a fraction of the cost of traditional survey methods, is also becoming more
viable.

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54
IN BUSINESS
SAILDRONE148
Initiative: Mapping the High Seas
Headquarters: Alameda, California USA

Saildrone Surveyor, a 22 meter USV, recently completed a mapping mission that traversed
approximately 4,200 kilometers and mapped nearly 22,000 square kilometers of pre-
viously unmapped seafloor (SDG 14).149 Primarily powered by solar and hydro energy,
and propelled by wind, Saildrone Surveyor is at the forefront of long endurance and low
impact for ocean mapping (SDG 7).The tech solution boasts autonomous high-resolu-
tion mapping data to 7,000 meter depth for navigation and charting, telecommunications,
offshore energy, exploration, characterization, and physical oceanography (SDG 9).This
is all at a fraction of the cost of traditional survey methods (SDG 12).150 USVs emit very
little or zero CO2 compared to a survey ship, which makes the overall carbon footprint
of Surveyor extremely small and low impact (SDG 13). In addition, the Surveyor is incred-
ibly quiet during operations, which is good for the environment and marine life, and even
better for collecting sonar data. Saildrone vehicles have sailed over 800,000 nautical miles
and spent more than 18,000 days at sea collecting data that provides unprecedented
intelligence for climate, mapping, and maritime security applications.

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 ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD
Autonomous Vehicles will revolutionize mobility. In societies that have a driving culture, such as
the United States, AVs could offer a positive outcome with a lot more public transportation.
Yet, it is critical to consider the negative outcomes, which could be significant if we do not alter
our behavior. Suppose people start traveling via AVs to work.They could then tell the car to go
home, and then pick them up at the end of the day.This extra travel would double the number
of miles, fuel costs, and environmental impacts. Autonomous vehicles are similar to computers
on wheels, and there are times when computers malfunction.With the widespread
implementation and millions of people driving AVs, difficulties would arise when drivers have to
call somebody to service the car’s misfiring operating system.These computerized cars are also
at risk of being hacked any number of times.Thus, there are systematic challenges to both the
safety and optimization that could occur in the event of widespread tampering with AVs at
scale.151

Further downsides include the possibilities for potential economic losses as a result of markets
shifting and jobs disappearing. Swathes of transit jobs will likely be lost, such as taxi and Uber
drivers. As AVs would create ease of transport and parking within cities as well as driving across
countries, they will disrupt the way we live and the service jobs associated with those changing
travel dynamics.Turbulence in the parking sector could also occur due to the increase in AVs.
This disruptive tech advancement has already been felt at airports around the world, as AV
transport services that do not require parking will eliminate the need for customers to park at
the airport.This could pose a big problem. Airports generally rely on parking for collecting
money and several of them are already reporting a decrease in the number of people parking.
By default, this lowers their revenue for parking, along with services like Uber and Lyft.152
Parking lots could be eliminated altogether, with the space being reappropriated, causing
financial losses and infrastructure shifts. Many of these areas, if not managed properly, could
become fallow real estate or bankrupt properties.

From an environmental standpoint, AV production highlights intensive resource depletion.

Many rare Earth elements are critical to the manufacture and production of electronic devices
in AVs.There is 100% reliance on imports for these materials among a considerable number of
countries and manufacturers.153 Rare Earth elements are often located in regions that lack the
economic or technological resources to harvest them.This is often due to mismanagement or
local militia groups who control their mining and sale.The very process of obtaining rare earth
elements is potentially harmful to the environment. Contamination from radionuclides is one
example, as dust and metal are released into the atmosphere. Human rights violations are also
common in this heavy metal mining process.154

Drones and unmanned aerial vehicles present associated security risks as well. Hacking into
them could lead to main control systems being invaded, replacing the original users with new
drivers or controllers of the devices.The network and control systems of drones often contain
confidential information that hackers could obtain without the knowledge of the original user.
In addition, drones have been known to be employed for criminal behaviors and unauthorized
surveillance.155 Aerial drones are sometimes equipped with heat and night sensors to detect
any signs of life.They can easily target an individual of interest for a corrupt institution or
group. Historically, instances of drones mistakenly firing at civilians have caused fatalities,
injuries, and damage to properties.159 Drones also have some detrimental ecological impacts.
They have been attacked by animals, even in mid-flight, which poses a risk to the wildlife.

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 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
We have imagined a sustainable future that will begin to take shape as we collectively take on
mass adoption of AVs and drones.These technologies provide a high level view of an aerial future
where swift deliveries save time and money, while also benefiting the environment in terms of
carbon emissions.Whether there be a need for search and rescue missions or a demand for
medical supplies, remote autonomous vehicles are there to save lives.Thanks to AVs and drones,
transport pathways are simultaneously less crowded and more safe. Roads are more open and the
underwater world is more thoroughly monitored, thereby reducing fossil fuel consumption and
ensuring regular inspection of ships.

We have imagined all that AVs and drones will do for the good of society and business. As we take
a comprehensive look at the options available to make the right choices regarding this tech, there
remains a long way to go and much is still required for achieving a sound regulatory framework.
Considering current conditions, international and public/private collaborations, as well as hardware
and software tech developments, will all be necessary to truly unlock the potential for good of
these autonomous vehicles and drones.

We have imagined AVs and Drones for Good.

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 BLOCKCHAIN 8

BLOCKCHAIN IS THE ULTIMATE DATA MANAGER.

IT IS A TRUSTWORTHY VERIFIER OF
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN, WHERE, AND HOW.

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 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine we could verify the origin and ownership or movement history of any item from the
farmer to the consumer to maximize sustainable commerce. Imagine how, no matter what
products or where consumers are around the world, everyone could have basic access to
knowledge about the provenance of goods they purchase and use. A clear understanding of supply
chains would allow us all the ability to know where our products come from and how they are
produced. Imagine the benefits of technology allowing consumers access to the global market
through information about pricing transparency between farmers and the marketplace.

Consider tracking and tracing cotton fabric down to the fundamental level of raw materials or
crop, and ensuring transparency of the final product.Technology enables us to do just that. It
provides the opportunity for people to gain access to verifiable origin and supply chain
information about the cotton fabric they wear daily. Blockchain makes it possible to identify
production aspects such as where the cotton came from or if it was grown organically.This
innovative tech supports both vendors and consumers in gaining a clear picture of product
origin and movement.

As the most widely used fabric in the world, cotton accounts for over 40% of the total global
fiber market.1 To meet this high demand, farmers are increasingly using high-yield genetically
modified plants with excessive pesticides and fertilizers. Organic cotton initiatives being
marketed by brands and retailers have enhanced the fiber’s popularity to a point where
demand far exceeds supply. For this reason, industry forecasts anticipate double-digit growth
in the coming years.2

Today’s apparel and fashion industries are confronted with the big challenge of ensuring
product validity through transparency and tracing.Tracking products to their source and along
the supply chain is often fragmented and complex. It involves many players, as it is difficult to
trace finished products and raw materials to their origin.This is where blockchain can play
a significant role.3 Through blockchain and IoT technologies, the origin of organic cotton is
verifiable across the entire supply chain; it is now possible to acquire data and metrics
throughout the production process, even when operations are located in remote regions.

This development is significant, as it is a verifiable way to answer consumer concerns and

questions: “Has my organic cotton shirt or dress actually been made from genuine organic
cotton?” After all, there have been instances of fraud in sourcing organic cotton.4 Many textile
companies at the forefront of sustainable business solutions are now engaging in more
rigorous supply chain tracking. Cross Textiles, a Turkish innovator in the sustainable fashion
market, participates in the Jeans ReDesign project with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.5
Setting an example as a sustainable business, Cross Textiles monitors the supply chain and
shares it transparently with customers when requested.This exemplary and progressive
company invests in technology to lower the use of resources in its jeans production process,
deriving a competitive edge through engagement in the circular economy.

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Blockchain takes tracking sustainability across the supply chain a step further than its tech
predecessors by providing a verifiable and secure method for transparent assessment.
Businesses like Denim Deal, a Dutch-based multi-stakeholder initiative, are implementing
blockchain to navigate the challenges of textiles in the circular economy. The denim industry’s use
of textile waste in garments and overcoming traceability supply chain challenges is the initiative’s
primary goal. By partnering with Aware - a tracer particle and blockchain technology by Dutch
company The Movement - businesses can distinguish false material from authentically sustainable
fabric with a simple scan.6 Aware’s tracer particles, which are added to the fiber before production,
make it possible to prove that the original recycled feedstock was used in the final product.This
capability allows companies to accurately measure their environmental impact targets and prevent
fraud.

Denim Deal partners, such as Dutch brand Kings of Indigo and Turkish denim mill Calik Denim,
use blockchain to track products. Calik collaborates with Denim Deal to trace its recycled cotton
and polyester fabrics.7 More specifically, the technology creates a digital twin version that is
registered into a secure blockchain to be completely absent of fraud. By adding tracers, every
garment receives a unique fingerprint, and this can be read with an easy-to-use scanner for
authentication. As the first company in the world to make recycled cotton traceable, Aware’s
use of blockchain tech is a crucial tool applicable to many brands as they begin to switch from
the current linear sourcing model.The Movement, the company behind the sustainable solutions
Polylana Fiber and Aware validation technology, successfully raised €1 million in pre-seed funding in
early 2022.This early-stage capital will allow the startup to grow its team, invest in technology, and
create more sustainable alternatives for the textile industry.8

Improving transparency and traceability has become a priority for the garment industry to
increase its ability to manage supply chains more effectively, while still embracing sustainable
production and consumption patterns.This, in turn, ensures business success. Imagine the
benefits blockchain brings to suppliers and consumers who can get the full report behind their
cotton products.This reliable, decentralized technological solution unlocks markets and
services across industries that were once unimaginable.

Imagine tracing product materials back to their origin.This is Blockchain for Good.

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8 EXPLORING
BLOCKCHAIN

Blockchain’s popularity rose with the emergence of Bitcoin in 2008, but there is more to the
history of this innovative digital roster tech that goes further back.This groundbreaking technology
is significant for both the present and future of business, particularly due to its disruptive
possibilities. Beginning with the concept of blockchain, as well as its foundations, the chapter
explores tech and its transformative qualities at length. Critical questions regarding the tech’s
efficacy and sustainable nature emerge:To what extent does blockchain add value to a sustainable
economy? How does it enhance business profits? Answers to these questions are revealed in
detailing investments and a market-based future structured around blockchain and its unique
product tracing capabilities. Subsequently, the respective implications for the business sector are
discussed.

Blockchain’s contributions to poverty management are considerable, too, especially for farmers
who are exploited for their crops’ low market prices due to the obscure pricing mechanisms
structured to benefit big business. As a core element in its application as a Tech for Good,
blockchain uncovers new horizons for economic and social systems.This chapter recognizes
blockchain as an essential tool for building a fair, inclusive, secure, and democratic digital economy.
The optimistic assessments of the tech’s potential that follow are enhanced with exciting new
business ventures highlighted in case studies from around the globe. Although barriers to
blockchain utility exist, which include its substantial energy consumption, the chapter reveals how
breakthrough solutions are addressing this concern and how the tech brings forth a plethora of
evolving sustainable business models that promise to outweigh associated downsides.

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THE TECH
Among innovative technologies, blockchain has the unique potential to establish new foundations
for global economic and social systems. Blockchain shows great promise to become a truly
disruptive technology that enables the sustainable development of new business models. As defined
by the European Commission, Blockchain is “a technology that allows people and organizations to
reach agreement on and permanently record transactions and information in a transparent way
without a central authority.”9 More specifically, it can be described as a public ledger consisting of
all transactions across a peer-to-peer network.

Blockchain serves as a distributed ledger or database shared across a public or private computing
network. Each computer node in the network holds a copy of the entire ledger, so there can be no
single point of failure. Because every piece of information is algorithmically encrypted within this
immutable ledger, the process of recording transactions and tracking assets in a business network
is deemed secure.These encrypted data are added as a new “block” to the chain of historical
records that forms the database or “blockchain.”10 Blockchain requires no central authority, which
means various consensus protocols are used to validate new blocks.This, in turn, prevents fraud.
The possibilities for blockchain to have a significant impact on business are unprecedented. It is
the first native digital medium for value, just as the Internet was the first native digital medium for
information.

BLOCKCHAIN TECHNOLOGY IS “A DATA STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF LINKED

BLOCKS OF DATA, E.G., CONFIRMED FINANCIAL TRANSACTIONS WITH EACH
BLOCK POINTING/REFERRING TO THE PREVIOUS ONE FORMING A CHAIN IN
LINEAR AND CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER.”11

This revolutionary tech started with the creation of Bitcoin, the world’s first digital and
decentralized currency, also known as cryptocurrency. As an important element of the 4IR,
blockchain’s defining features enable the transfer of a range of assets.This transfer occurs among
parties in a secure and inexpensive manner, without third-party intermediaries.12 By design,
the tech paves the way for a form of financial democratization. As a decentralized and global
computational infrastructure, blockchain can transform many existing processes in business,
governance, and society, thereby allowing for greater freedom and autonomy among underserved
communities.The benefits of blockchain allowing new players to enter the market are vast, creating
distributed value and growing participation in the economy.

A decentralized open-source network enables businesses to independently take action in response

to unsatisfied market needs.This flexibility boosts the tech’s market potential, especially in sectors
that are dedicated to driving social impact and generating profits. But blockchain’s applications
extend far beyond commercial use and are being spread across many different sectors.Various
social innovation organizations – philanthropies, NGOs, non-profits, social enterprises, government
agencies, and even for-profit organizations promoting social benefits – adopt blockchain in a variety
of humanitarian cases.These include a range of projects, from monitoring the extent of human
trafficking to restoring pertinent land records.13 Prominent agencies such as the UN have also
recognized the potential of blockchain, noting that effectively delivering mandates in the digital age
requires embracing technologies like blockchain that will help accelerate the achievement of SDGs.

MADE POSSIBLE WITH THE WFP INNOVATION ACCELERATOR, THE BUILDING

BLOCKS BLOCKCHAIN PROGRAM BOASTS APPROXIMATELY $2.5 MILLION IN
SAVED BANK FEES.14

257
 The tech allows the development of a participatory business model. In other words, it eliminates
the presence of a middleman who retains profits. In the blockchain system, the overall process
is organized through smart contracts, allowing automated transactions and reducing processing
fees.These benefits are particularly relevant in many areas of the developing world. For example,
UN Aid programs have implemented blockchain technologies for the purpose of guarding
against fraud, hefty administrative fees, and mismanagement of funds.To provide the maximum
amount of aid to those who need it the most, the World Food Program (WFP) implemented a
blockchain pilot project in 2017 called Building Blocks, which served vulnerable families in Pakistan,
Bangladesh, and Jordan.The project was made possible with the WFP Innovation Accelerator,
boasting approximately $2.5 million in saved bank fees.15 Building Blocks has been scaled to
provide $325 million worth of cash transfers to one million refugees, making it the world’s largest
implementation of blockchain technology for humanitarian assistance.

SOUND FOUNDATIONS
The incorporation of IoT has been instrumental in the proliferation and dissemination of
blockchain tech. By bringing the objects around us to life and making them “smart” and capable
of communicating with each other, IoT can amass significant data through constantly capturing
and optimizing the physical world. A critical component of current IoT solutions is the centralized
party (like a cloud server) for connecting and communicating via the Internet. In contrast to
current trends, the original architecture design did not have a decentralized system.16 But that gap
posed a great threat to the privacy and security of data being generated. Blockchain arbitrates this
concern by providing a secure and trustworthy approach to sharing information using a distributed
peer-to-peer model. Featured parts of this distributed ledger technology include increased
transparency, security, privacy, auditability, resilience, access authentication, and data immutability.

Blockchain technology first emerged in 1991, when W. Scott Stornetta and Stuart Haber created
a cryptographically secured blockchain featuring unalterable timestamps of records.17 Yet it was
not until 2008 that the term “blockchain” began to acquire the significance it has today. Satoshi
Nakamoto (this name could be a single person or a group of people) molded Bitcoin into the
blockchain structure as a primary application of this digital roster technology.18 Nakamoto
improved the blockchain structure by utilizing a decentralized strategy, keeping records of the time
and date of added “blocks.” In 2009, the blockchain structure was recognized as a central part of
the hyped cryptocurrency Bitcoin, acting as the public record for all exchanges on the network.

In August of 2014, the size of stored records of all exchanges recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain
network was up to 20 GB. By January 2015, this amount reached nearly 30 GB. Signifying
blockchain’s notable impact and influence, the size expanded from 50 GB to 100 GB between
January 2016 to 2017.19 It doubled again and exceeded 200 GB before 2020. In the latter half of
2022, all exchanges recorded on the Bitcoin blockchain network are approximately 425 GB.20

The breadth of blockchain applications and platforms has expanded in recent years and continues
to do so, thereby becoming more widely utilized.This was observed when Ethereum followed
Bitcoin. Ethereum, the community-run technology powering the cryptocurrency ether (ETH),
emerged as a platform for building decentralized applications through smart contracts.21 It inspired
a whole new realm of possibilities for a “token economy” through the creation and exchange of
non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which are non-interchangeable tokens connected to merchandise and
sold as unique digital property.22

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DISTRIBUTED LEDGERS
Blockchain - The “block” refers to digital data; a “chain” is characterized as a common information
base.Therefore, ‘blockchain’ describes digital data kept in a public dataset.23 Blockchain is a
disseminated network comprising computer systems and the Internet that keeps an account of
transactions. Specifically, it is a digital ledger of transactions that is distributed across the entire
network of computers (or nodes) on the blockchain.Within a blockchain, one record is dispersed
and protected across the system while every computer involved individually approves the
exchanges. By incorporating a sequence of blocks, blockchain comprises information units used to
store value-based data. Since it is a decentralized system, no single entity has authority over the
network. Each exchange is compiled in a block validated by a group of computer networks, and
each block has its own separate data and is given a hash to identify it from different blocks.

Cryptocurrency - Cryptocurrency is a digital currency that allows parties to transfer money

without involving a central authority, such as a bank. It is secured by cryptography, which renders it
nearly impossible to counterfeit.The price of the most well-known cryptocurrency, Bitcoin, which
was valued at less than $100 in 2013, sold for a high of $68,000 per coin in November 2021.24

Cryptocurrency Mining - Cryptocurrency mining is a transactional process that involves using

computers and cryptographic processes to solve complex functions and record the data to a
blockchain.25

The most widely used application of blockchain technology is online payment systems management
with fast, inexpensive, and secure transactions that do not require intermediary agencies.There
are hundreds of cryptocurrencies and projects within the blockchain sphere, including some of the
more well-known such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Solana, and Cardano.These also encompass
protocol tokens like Ether, utility tokens, securities tokens (e.g., crypto equities and crypto bonds),
natural asset tokens, crypto-fiat currencies, and stablecoins.26 There is no doubt that blockchain
has global transformational potential. If harnessed and disseminated properly, this distributed
ledger tech will be instrumental in enabling the shift toward sustainable decentralized solutions in
several sectors.

Blockchain applications have now expanded far beyond cryptocurrency.With its ability to create
more transparency and fairness while also saving businesses time and money, the technology
is positively impacting a variety of sectors. Ranging from enforcing fair contracts to making
governments work more efficiently, blockchain’s benefit to a sustainable future for all continues to
be realized.

BLOCKCHAIN MARKET SIZE

Blockchain is projected to alter markets and shift commerce structures in the coming years.The
tech has huge market potential with a wide range of applications, such as banking, cybersecurity,
energy, and IoT. Companies both big and small are implementing blockchain to gain competitive
advantages. Statistics show that blockchain implementation could generate $700 million in
increased productivity.27 Large multinationals such as Walmart have partnered with Nestle, Dole,
Unilever, and Tyson Foods to implement blockchain in the food industry. In one project example,
blockchain made it possible to trace individual mangoes back to the farm in only 2.2 seconds.28
Walmart says that without blockchain it would take more than six days to identify the original
farm. European retailer Carrefour is the first company on the continent to introduce blockchain
for food products.The company believes that the technology is revolutionizing its supply chains by
helping to raise $5 billion in organic food sales in 2022.29

259
 As a result of blockchain’s proliferation, the payments industry is growing with fintech startups and
smaller banks providing consumers with more choices for their financial wellbeing. Silicon Valley
technology conglomerate Cisco reported that as much as 10% of global GDP will be stored on
blockchain by 2027, which could be a predominant factor in distributed ledger tech seeing large
investments in recent years.30 The global blockchain market was valued at $4.67 billion in 2021 and
is projected to grow from $7.18 billion in 2022 to $163.83 billion by 2029, at a CAGR of 56.3%.31

It is also expected that Blockchain as a Service (BaaS) will grow in demand in the coming years.
Tech giants like Amazon, Microsoft, and Google have already invested heavily in the development
of this service. Several other well-known brands that constitute big portions of the market have
also invested and are developing their own solutions at a rapid pace.32 These brands include IBM,
Oracle, Alibaba, and French energy company EDF.The additional value potential of BaaS is huge,
expectantly rising to an estimated size of $360 billion by 2026 and reaching $3.1 trillion by the end
of 2030.33

Over the past decade Blockchain has revolutionized access to capital for new ventures as well as
shifted markets. Investment funds flowing to tech startups in this space have grown significantly. In
2017, blockchain-based startups raised approximately $4 billion in total through a process known
as an ICO (initial coin offering).34 Fast forward to 2021 and in Q2 alone blockchain startups
raised nearly $4.4 billion in funding, which was 30% more than in Q1 that same year.35 Also, in
2017, venture capital funding for blockchain startups consistently grew and reached $1 billion.36
Compare that with venture capital funding for crypto startups that surged in 2021, rising more
than in any other year with over $27 billion invested globally as of late November.This figure
is more than the previous 10 years combined.37 The global blockchain AI market size is also
projected to grow more than threefold from $228 million in 2020 to $703 million by 2025, at a
CAGR of 25.3% during this period.38

Blockchain’s ability to create and transfer digital assets through smart contracts enhances existing
commodities trading processes, which characterize inefficiencies that lead to a loss of income and
opportunities for businesses. Blockchain technology’s growth with an expected rise in the rate

CERTAIN BLOCKCHAIN SECTORS SEE GREATER FOR-PROFIT ACTIVITY39

Overall, 61% of the blockchain initiatives are for-profit. Those with the greatest commercial
opportunity include energy (94%), health (87%), and financial inclusion (78%). Conversely,
those sectors traditionally rooted in non-profit or government activity include philanthropy,
aid, and donors (76%) and democracy and governance (33%).

of adoption will thus help firms, investors, and the other parties involved in commodities trading
realize greater gains and increased profitability.

Implementing blockchain technology can overcome the various issues that occur throughout
the regulatory compliance process.The historical record and transparent ledger provided
by blockchain networks allow near real-time monitoring of transactions for multiple parties
involved.40 Out of the $4.4 trillion commodities markets, banks, financial institutions, institutional
investors or funds, those entities claim approximately 30% of the benefit from blockchain-enabled
trade financing.41 Global trade finance markets can prosper by identifying how blockchain can
address the more than $3.4 trillion gap between supply and demand for trade finance, particularly

260
for trade flows to and from emerging markets addressing the SDGs.42

By the end of 2024, it is expected that businesses around the globe will spend $20 billion per year
on blockchain technical services.43 As many as 74% of tech-savvy executive teams say they believe
there is huge business potential in blockchain technology.44 Financial institutions alone have spent
about $552 million on blockchain-powered projects, and 25% of companies invested between $5
million and $10 million in blockchain during 2021.

Nearly
$10.02 $67.4 $1 trillion
billion billion cryptocurrency
2022 global 2026 expected market
blockchain blockchain capacity at the
market size.45 market value.46 beginning
of 2023.47

BLOCKCHAIN FOR GOOD

Blockchain has uniquely triggered innovative activity across the globe with an explicit moral,
ethical, and responsible intent. Because the technology eliminates the role of intermediaries,
central authorities, or third-party assurance providers to validate transactions and processes,
it presents a new level of organizational transparency and trust.48 This means that a business
entity’s full potential can be brought to bear when making more informed decisions without the
common financial risk.There are thus expectations for the tech to unlock financing mechanisms
to deliver on core business missions.The impact and potential of Blockchain today is recognized
across regions and industries, spanning from the financial and business sectors with cryptocurrency
transactions to the retail and agricultural spaces with product traceability.

The UN Innovation Network set up five blockchain projects to integrate this technology for inter-
agency cooperation. One of many examples includes a partnership between the UN International
Telecommunications Union and the Food and Agriculture Organization to track pig supply chains
in Papua New Guinea.49 Additionally, to use blockchain as a force for good while profiting from
the cryptocurrency investing market, UNICEF developed The UNICEF Crypto Fund.The Fund is
a prototype that lets the agency accept Bitcoin and Ether donations and invest them directly into
blockchain startups. Upon its commencement in October 2018, there was immediate uptake from
the cryptocurrency community as a donation of one Bitcoin and 10,000 Ether came from the
Switzerland-based Ethereum Foundation.50

Although blockchain and cryptocurrency have been identified as high energy use industries,
research from the University of Cambridge shows that the renewable share of energy mining
pools is as high as 78%.51 The majority of identified mining facilities use some share of renewable
energy sources as part of their energy mix. Further, Ethereum 2.0 and the move from a proof of
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55 IN BUSINESS
ENERGY BLOCKCHAIN LABS INC.52
Initiative: Green Energy Marketplace
Headquarters: Beijing, China

Energy Blockchain Labs Inc. is focused on mitigating climate change (SDG 13). It
works to create a more efficient way for organizations to meet government-man-
dated carbon emissions reduction quotas. Using IBM blockchain technology, Energy
Blockchain Labs created an efficient, transparent platform that allows high-emission
businesses to meet quotas by buying carbon credits from low emitters (SDGs 7,8).
Energy Blockchain Labs bases its business model on the assumption that blockchain
technology could bring a higher level of efficiency to carbon asset trading in China,
thereby helping expand market integration and environmental benefits. “Creating a
blockchain platform for carbon trading will help facilitate more seamless collabora-
tion among all participants and parties,” says Cao Yin, Founding Partner and Chief
Architect at Energy Blockchain Labs.53

China taking on this initiative is an important step, given that the country is respon-
sible for approximately 25% of the world’s CO2 emissions. Businesses electing to
go green in the country often experience high renewable energy costs, especially
when compared with fossil fuel prices. Further, traditional market mechanisms in
China have not been historically aligned with the proliferation of green energy
production and consumption (SDG 12). By addressing emissions challenges with
blockchain technology, businesses in China anticipate a reduction in emissions of
20% to 50% within the average 10-month carbon asset development cycle; effi-
ciency improvements within the green economy by increasing adaptability to new
energy market dynamics; and the ability to increase promotion of green technology
by channeling more funds to low-emission organizations.

262
work (PoW) consensus to a proof of stake (PoS) model has led to reduced energy use.54 In this
endeavor, Ethereum is joined by other next-generation blockchains like Cardano, Polkadot, EOS,
and Cosmos, each implementing their own PoS versions.55 Since a PoS model demands significantly
lower hardware requirements than a PoW consensus, the energy needed to facilitate secure
transactions will only continue to fall in the future.

Blockchain also contributes to climate change management. AI and IoT services can enable
blockchain to reduce administrative reporting requirements and support the green bond market,
thereby helping access capital to meet the annual funding deficit of the SDGs.56 Blockchain
applications for climate change also include the new carbon emission trading schemes.These
employ blockchain to improve the carbon asset transactions’ systems.The Chinese government
has come forth and established Carbon Emission Reduction (CER) quotas to reduce emissions and
green energy costs, which allocate carbon emissions limits to enterprises.57

The CER quotas have spurred the growing trade in carbon assets – also known as “carbon
offsets” – to serve as accounting mechanisms by which high-carbon emitting enterprises can buy
the equivalent of their reduction quotas from low-emission enterprises and use those funds to
invest in more green technology.With IBM technology behind it, Energy Blockchain Labs created
a blockchain platform to trade carbon assets in China. Bringing a new level of efficiency to carbon
asset trading, the tech solution helps expand the market and its environmental benefits.

BLOCKCHAIN AS A KEY TO SUSTAINABLE TRANSPARENCY

With blockchain providing a verifiable record, it is now possible to assess companies’ claims
of being resource-positive and energy efficient.These metrics for business success can now all
be fact-checked and verified, thanks to the tech. Crucial to sustainability in the tech sector is
the concept of the circular economy which focuses on reducing waste, reusing products, and
recycling materials. Blockchain technology enhances the circular business model by providing
adequate information to stakeholders about truly sustainable products.With the fact-checking
capabilities blockchain provides, consumers have more information about how to choose the
items they purchase, and businesses have more control over the products they sell.The outcome
is streamlined supply chains, like those of Walmart, Amazon, and IBM.This tech solution can
help companies optimize processes, create innovations, and increase productivity.58 Ultimately,
businesses can yield simultaneous beneficial results such as reduced operating costs and reductions
in waste.

Healthcare in the US also benefits from the circular economic nature of this tech, which fosters
trust and transparency. An astounding $100 billion in medication is discarded or destroyed
annually.59 This is coupled with the reality that there are nearly 32 million Americans who cannot
afford the medication they need. RemediChain has come forth as a blockchain platform that gives
vulnerable patients access to medication while at the same time ensuring any surplus medication is
redistributed properly.60 It provides a tech solution and elevated trust through the redistribution
of unused medicine to patients who need it.

APPROXIMATELY 60% OF CONSUMERS ARE MORE INCLINED TO BUY

PRODUCTS WITH CLEARLY DEFINED SUSTAINABILITY POLICIES.61

Another innovative sustainability-focused business, Provenance, promotes product transparency

through a software service. Using blockchain, mobile, and other open data, their software gathers
product information in a trustworthy and accessible manner. Provenance labels this information
“Proof Points,” which are made public for consumers to evaluate for themselves to make informed
decisions about their purchases.

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56 IN BUSINESS
PROVENANCE62
Initiative: Proof Points
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

Provenance’s innovation, “Proof Points,” responds to the UN SDGs by enabling

consumer goods brands to be publicly transparent in their social and environmen-
tal business practices (SDG 12).The platform and its services provide all the tools
for digitization of supply chain impact transparency – essential to the needs of con-
scious shoppers today. Founder and CEO Jessi Baker explains: “We created Proof
Points during the Blockchain for Social Good prize period to enable commitments,
impact progress, and process claims to be digitally authenticated in a straightfor-
ward way we can all understand and trust.This will enable the brands of the future
to win.”63

Provenance uses blockchain technology to enable the secure traceability of cer-

tifications and other important information in supply chains.The digital ‘passport’
structure the platform introduced creates a type of auditable record of the journey
behind all physical products that relates to aspects such as environmental impacts
and labor practices (SDGs 8,13). It prevents the selling of fake goods, as well as the
problem of ‘double spending’ on certifications present in current systems (SDGs
9,10).64 In the company’s effort to secure a competitive business advantage in
the blockchain marketplace, Provenance facilitates transactions at a reduced cost
compared to some legacy blockchain platforms. Provenance is also offering grants
to developers to accelerate growth in the blockchain ecosystem. Hash, the digital
token native to Provenance, is both the means of payment for transactions as well
as a method of governance of the blockchain.65

264
It is precisely blockchain’s decentralized foundational structure that promises to eliminate the
threat of fraud in all areas of banking and trading platforms.With a defining feature being the ability
to be made transparent and immutable, the tech addresses burdens such as operational risk and
administrative costs. If widely adopted, these interoperable digital financial solutions could provide
more of the population with access to important financial tools while adding $3.7 trillion to
emerging countries’ GDPs by 2025.66 The open-source payment platform Mojaloop, developed by
the Gates Foundation, is a prominent example of this application.67

Mojaloop aims to level the economic playing field by building inclusive payment models that benefit
the world’s poor.68 The initiative uses distributed ledger technology to enable interoperability
between financial institutions, which can speed up transaction times.The increase in efficiency can
lower costs and expand access to financial services to the 1.7 billion people who do not use banks.
Mojaloop’s Ripple provides open-source code and developer tools for furthering innovation across
global payments and beyond.The founding vision for Ripple is “to make it possible for the people in
the world from all corners to be able to move value like they are moving information.”69 The tech
startup calls this concept IoV (Internet of Vision).

BLOCKCHAIN AS A DISRUPTOR FOR GLOBAL PROGRESS

The decentralized model of blockchain technology has the potential to alter entire business
segments, challenging traditional market and financial structures.Technology platforms are
promoting and deploying blockchain solutions specifically designed for the SDGs. According to
the Center for Global Development, remittances are the largest single source of international
development finance, as they play an important role in propelling developing countries forward
economically. For some countries, remittances are the primary driver of economic activity – they
make up over 20% of the GDP in Nepal, El Salvador, and Haiti.70 With approximately one billion
people in the world using remittances, the impact on poverty reduction is significant.The average
cost of sending remittances through traditional channels is roughly 7% globally, which accounts for
approximately $35 billion worth of payments remitted lost each year to fees.71

In countries like Venezuela, where unfavorable market conditions have caused traditional financial
institutions to pull back, blockchain businesses - including Ripple mentioned above - are working
with banks and traditional money transfer organizations to help modernize the processes. Other
business initiatives such as Stellar are taking a more consumer-focused approach and transforming
the world of finance.They are giving even small businesses the disruptive power and reach of
international banks.72

EACH YEAR, WORKERS ABROAD SEND OVER $500 BILLION IN REMITTANCES

TO FAMILY AND FRIENDS BACK IN THEIR NATIVE COUNTRIES, WHICH
AMOUNTS TO OVER THREE TIMES GLOBAL FOREIGN AID.73

Ethereum’s “Next Billion” and Cardano’s “Project Catalyst” are two large initiatives in the
blockchain space disrupting industries and services while promoting Tech for Good. Cardano’s
Project Catalyst is a series of experiments seeking to generate the highest levels of community
innovation as a force for good.74

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57 IN BUSINESS
CARDANO75
Initiative: Project Catalyst
Headquarters: Zug, Switzerland

Cardano is proactive in funding crypto and blockchain solutions to tackle critical

development challenges, especially in Africa. Project Catalyst is a blockchain-led
initiative that disrupts static and outdated systems by aiming to increase Cardano’s
business and create solutions to community challenges.The Ethiopian government,
for instance, is exploring the technology to provide personal digital identification
(ID) for 5 million students across 3,500 schools (SDG 10).76 Cardano’s project also
targets locations and causes of educational under-achievement across Africa (SDG
4). It further supports the efficient allocation of resources while reducing fraudu-
lent university and job applications (SDGs 8,16).

Dor Garbash, Cordano Head of Product Governance, says: “I think a nice aspect of
Catalyst, if you really think about it, is it’s almost like a machine that converts these
raw tokens that sit in a treasury into a resource in the hands of the people who
are building the network. And that’s what it does – it just transfers the wealth to
the doers and to the reviewers, and the maintainers of the system.”77 The decen-
tralized nature of this innovation enables the distribution of funds to proposed
projects, which helps position smaller local initiatives at the same level as large
international projects. Project Catalyst’s grant funding rounds have increased from
$250,000 to $2 million in less than a year, thanks to the IdeaScale platform.78

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BLOCKCHAIN PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS
Blockchain can move the world forward across multiple platforms and sectors by laying
the foundation for long-term and inclusive progress. From retail-level investment in green
infrastructure projects to enabling blended finance for developing countries, blockchain can be a
potent force for facilitating a systematic shift and expanding traditional financial capital, while also
capturing social and environmental capital. As illustrated below, harnessing blockchain technologies
to drive sustainable and resilient growth and a new wave of value creation will require global
action through business targeting the SDGs.

NO POVERTY
This employs cryptocurrencies and other blockchain-based tokens to allow
the world’s two billion unbanked people to trade and transact in a trusting and
transparent way.79 Initiatives such as BitPesa, BitSpark, and CariCoin are beginning
to gain traction by using blockchain technology to ease the difficulty and high costs
of sending money across borders.80 By using crypto for transactions, blockchain platforms are
sharply reducing fees and transferring money. It is important to note that cutting prices to transfer
money by just 5% can save $16 billion a year.This tech solution of peer-to-peer transactions from
migrant workers to family or friends living in their home country is transforming the vast global
remittances market and easing the burden of migration.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Blockchain can prove the authenticity of medical products, thereby helping reduce
risk and potentially minimize costly or fatal incidences.The tech improves data
security, makes medical records more accurate, and cuts the operational costs for
information management and storage.The World Health Organization reports that
an estimated 1 million people die every year as a result of taking counterfeit medications.81 The
incorruptible medical blockchain technology is a solution to reducing such risks caused by fake
medications and, consequently, saves lives.

Blockchain applications make it practically impossible to change information stored in its sections.
It can additionally help pharmacists identify at which stage the violation was made in the case
of detecting a low-quality product. Blockchain software AsliMedicine aims to trace medication
through the entire healthcare chain, ensure its integrity, and identify fakes.82

QUALITY EDUCATION
The market for EdTech is growing rapidly, with blockchain as a major component
to keeping student information and records secure and safe.83 Security and
verification are becoming a major concern, as data breaches often target student
records and steal information that can be used to create fake identities or be sold
by hackers. Blockchain could make these attacks ineffective by protecting student identities and
school records. As more schools from kindergarten to university go digital, this could be key in
ensuring student privacy.The Social Alpha Foundation, an entity that accepts material assistance
in cryptocurrency, raises funds to award grants to projects that are engaged in social support
and training for blockchain technology.84 One grant of $30,000 was awarded to the Social Impact
Hackathon winners at the Impact Summit.85 Attended by 350 students from IT departments, the
event demonstrated how technical knowledge learned in schools can help in solving global social
problems.

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 AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
Platforms that collate distributed data on resources, such as household-level
water and energy data from smart sensors that can help mitigate current gaps
in information between stakeholders.This would enable more informed and
decentralized decision-making regarding power system design and management of
resources. It would also allow for innovative financing and payment structures that are beneficial
to businesses. A platform built on the Ethereum blockchain,The Sun Exchange is a peer-to-peer
marketplace that allows anyone, anywhere, to invest in solar panel projects using Bitcoin.86 The
South African startup enables Bitcoin users to purchase solar panels and lease them to schools,
factories, and communities to earn rental income. It is designed to make solar asset ownership
more affordable with incentivized token features that include access to discounts and lease
bonuses when using The Sun Exchange and priority access to new solar projects on the platform.

Supply chains are an important component of sustainable development worldwide across all
sectors. Blockchain for supply chain management has reflected a wide variety of improved industry
uses.We have examples of multinational development banks investigating the use of blockchain
for trade projects in regions such as South Asia and Latin America. Energy utilities are increasingly
considering blockchain’s potential to improve the efficiency of electricity markets. Russia’s national
grid operator is testing the technology to improve the efficiency of electricity metering, billing, and
payments by end-users.87 This solution will enable consumers to monitor their real-time energy
consumption via a mobile app and automate payments within the network.

RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION

This gives rise to technological change actions taken by conscientious consumers.
Consideration of overall levels of consumption could be important areas for
business growth. Blockchain has enormous potential to help organizations verify
the sources of their goods and track their movement, strengthening transparency
in any supply chain. Fraud, contaminations or counterfeits can be pinpointed immediately, in turn
ensuring customer safety and enhancing business efforts to be socially and ethically responsible.
Launched in December 2017,WaBi is an Ethereum-based crypto-token for safe consumer products.
As a blockchain-based service,WaBi aims to provide solutions for the global circulation of fake
goods.The network connects consumers and brands by linking the physical and digital assets
through RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) labels equipped with anti-copy functionality.88 By
incentivizing users with WaBi token rewards, this business innovation allows brands to generate
new types of data for market research, testing, and strategic decision-making.

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 PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
These are critical, as more than a billion people globally do not have recognized
personhood, which is the most basic of human rights.89 Lack of officially recognized
identity impacts every aspect of life since.Without valid proof of identity, many basic
services and rights are out of reach.The blockchain-based platform offers methods
for securing identity data. By making an immutable record of the actual or attempted illegal
transfer across borders, it helps prevent severe human rights violations such as human trafficking.
Public procurement is one of the largest sources of government spending and one of the greatest
sources of official corruption worldwide.The World Bank estimates that public procurement
represents, on average, 13% to 20% of global GDP.90 Each phase of the small and large public
procurement process comes with its own challenges and opportunities for corruption, bribery,
undue influence on government assessments, and more. In this regard, blockchain is evidenced
to increase external oversight.The Colombian government undertook a proof-of-concept for
a blockchain-based procurement system, as approximately $6 billion were compromised by
procurement corruption between 2016 and 2018.91 By removing the barriers to adoption,
Modex, an early player in the blockchain procurement field, makes blockchain implementation
straightforward and affordable for many businesses and industries, including governmental
processes.92

269
 NO POVERTY
ƒ Provides blockchain identification and payment services for the
most vulnerable population segments.
ƒ Facilitates transparency in pricing around locally sourced crops for
which farmers have been historically underpaid.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ƒ Facilitates responsible and effective use
of personal health data.
ƒ Proves the authenticity of medical
products, helping reduce risk and
potentially minimize the amount of
costly or fatal incidences.

QUALITY EDUCATION
ƒ Eliminates data breaches in education records, including test
scores and transcripts.
ƒ Improves the quality of education by sharing exam scores and
research data across multiple institutions.

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 AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
ƒ Makes renewable energy available at a lower rate and in an optimized
manner by eliminating intermediaries and significantly reducing
transaction costs.
ƒ Records, verifies, and makes transparently available to all network
participants data for each transaction.

INDUSTRY, BLOCKCHAIN RESPONSIBLE

CONSUMPTION AND
INNOVATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE PRODUCTION
ƒ Enables creation ƒ Provides solutions for
of incorruptible the global circulation
databases for records. of fake goods through
ƒ Allows records to be safer consumer
synchronized, keeping products.
information up to date ƒ Verifies the sources
and authentic. of goods and
tracks movement,
strengthening
transparency in any
supply chain.

PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG

INSTITUTIONS
ƒ Secures identity data and makes an immutable
record of the actual or attempted illegal transfer
across a border.
ƒ Increased transparency and reduced fraud are
beneficial byproducts of the tech that
has a disruptive quality.

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 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
Companies and processes across industries can employ blockchain to enhance their business
models. It can serve as a tool to execute and record transactions and track ownership for assets
that change hands several times before settlement. Business executives report that not only is
blockchain a necessity for solving some of a company’s most pressing problems, but it also has
the potential to stimulate improvement over other methods.93 The tech can enormously reduce
paper consumption by securely and permanently recording continuously retrievable data on a base
level.94 Monitoring the supply chain through blockchain technology makes it possible to identify
inferior products earlier in the process. Product recalls and new products can thus be reduced.
The entire business world can benefit from more trusting, transparent, and direct relationships
catalyzed by sustainable blockchain solutions.

Digital technologies and ubiquitous data are increasing visibility, transparency, coordination, and
information sharing across companies.This trend enables smarter, more informed decisions and
greatly improves operating efficiency. Blockchain will likely serve as the underlying structure for
several industries’ transactional infrastructures.The energy industry network is particularly suited
for blockchain technology applications. Further rise in technological advancements is expected
to transform operations within the energy and resources industry into a vast global network of
connected devices that gather digital data on a blockchain platform.95

“ANYTHING THAT YOU CAN CONCEIVE OF AS A SUPPLY CHAIN, BLOCKCHAIN

CAN VASTLY IMPROVE ITS EFFICIENCY – IT DOESN’T MATTER IF IT’S PEOPLE,
NUMBERS, DATA, OR MONEY.”96 - GINNI ROMETTY, FORMER CEO OF IBM

By incentivizing circular economies, blockchain could fundamentally change how materials and
natural resources are valued and traded.This can be done by incentivizing individuals, companies,
and governments to unlock financial value from things currently wasted, discarded, or treated as
economically invaluable. An example of this shift is seen in the way consumer demand is driving
fashion brands to use more organic cotton.97 Despite growth in production, companies struggle
to meet that demand.The fragmented nature of supply chains makes it difficult for manufacturers
to know if the cotton they are buying is truly organic.To tackle this, Bext360, an agricultural
blockchain startup, has emerged and will be explained in the next section. As businesses endeavor
to reach sustainability goals to enhance profit and brand value, carbon footprint reporting becomes
increasingly important.

Given that 40 countries have already either applied or are in the process of implementing a
carbon pricing system, enterprises need ways to manage this tracking through an avenue that is
transparent and organized.98 Blockchain provides a solution to this challenge. It offers validation
from external parties, covering the supply chain, value chain, and footprint of all products, and also
enables participation of other stakeholders. Next-gen sustainability monitoring and verification in
blockchain have the potential to transform both sustainability reporting and assurance, thereby
helping companies manage, demonstrate, and improve their performance. Meanwhile, consumers
and investors are able to make better-informed decisions through verifiable blockchain data.This
drives a new wave of accountability and action, providing business executives and managers with a
complete picture of managing risk and reward profiles.

Blockchain platforms are further being harnessed to use cryptographic tokens with a tradable
value to optimize existing market platforms for carbon.This creates new opportunities for carbon
credit transactions.The Carbon Utility Token (CUT) is an example of a growing class of green
assets designed to help corporations manage their carbon allowances.99 The sale of each CUT
token goes towards investments in carbon capture and carbon offsetting programs. As more and
more corporations begin to add cryptocurrencies to their core business practices, CUT provides
an avenue to completely offset the carbon footprint behind each coin.
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GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Blockchain was initially developed to move Bitcoin from one point to another. It has now evolved
far beyond and is being used by a number of companies in diverse sectors to move assets and
monitor business progress in various areas. Enterprises all over the world are now using the tech
to speed up business processes, increase transparency, and potentially save billions of dollars.
Blockchain use-case solutions are particularly relevant across sustainability applications.These tend
to fall into the following cross-cutting themes that address new financing models for environmental
and social outcomes: streamlining supply chain transparency and management, realizing the value
and natural capital for food and agriculture, enabling the green economy and decentralized energy
systems, and reducing fraud and organizational management in healthcare.

BOOSTING SUPPLY CHAIN TRANSPARENCY AND MANAGEMENT

Today’s supply chains are more globalized than ever, and economic opportunities are emerging for
businesses utilizing blockchain and cryptocurrency.The traditional model of supply chains being
opaque with inaccessible or unverifiable data points is slowly changing with shifting demand and
regulations. Consumers are requesting more transparency about the origin of their products, while
companies realize the need for sustainable and responsible procurement practices. Monitoring
the supply chain makes it possible to identify problematic products earlier in the process, thereby
reducing recalls.This leads to reduced production, which positively affects the greenhouse
gas balance and other resources. In this context, technology emerges to support supply chain
management, especially in terms of transparency and traceability.

SUPPLY CHAINS TODAY ARE MORE GLOBALIZED THAN EVER AND ECONOMIC
OPPORTUNITIES ARE EMERGING FOR BUSINESSES TO UTILIZE BLOCKCHAIN.

Blockchain provides many solutions specific to the traceability of goods such as food, minerals,
raw materials, textiles, or pharmaceuticals. It can significantly improve supply chains by enabling
faster and more cost-efficient delivery of products, enhancing product traceability, improving
coordination between partners, and aiding access to financing.This technology can enable supply
chain management’s transition to a sharing economy where people and companies reduce waste
and decouple growth from the consumption of finite resources.100 The end result is increased
sustainability and profitability at the same time. Due to their international, complex, and multi-
stakeholder characteristics, global supply chains generate sizable environmental and social impacts.
This is especially true in the agricultural sector, which employs 28% of the world’s population.101
Bext360, a Denver-based startup, is utilizing blockchain technology to better track and verify the
authentication of the organic cotton supply chain (Case 58).With sustainable green trade valued
at more than $1 trillion per year, companies are adopting better ways to assure their goods’
origins, identity, and traceability.The estimated annual cost of Indonesia’s illegal, unreported, and
unregulated fishing is approximately $5 billion.102 By adopting a blockchain traceability solution,
tuna industry actors are increasing their supply chain speed by overcoming operational and market
gaps.They are delivering sustainably caught fish to consumers with fewer health and safety risks
and less product spoilage.

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58 IN BUSINESS
BEXT360103
Initiative: Organic Cotton Traceability Pilot
Headquarters: Denver, Colorado USA

Focused on transparency and greater insight into the agricultural market, Bext360
is partnered with the C&A Foundation, Fashion For Good, and the Organic
Cotton Accelerator to form an initiative called Organic Cotton Traceability Pilot
(SDG 17).104 The primary purpose of Bext360 is to trace organic cotton from
farms to the gin, where it is processed for textile use.The second phase of the
pilot ensures cotton can be traced from the gin to the consumer. Finally, the
initiative is aimed at scale so it can be used for organic cotton farmers, textile
producers, and fashion companies around the world. Blockchain allows textile
producers and fashion companies to identify authentic organic cotton traders.
Coming as close as possible to full traceability of the cotton’s origin, purity, and
distribution, this method seeks to give the complete picture of the product’s life
cycle within the current landscape.

At the consumer level, the solution can be used to communicate which suppliers
and manufacturers worked together to create the final product. “The success of
the Organic Cotton Traceability Pilot provides a positive impulse towards trace-
ability and transparency in the value chain,” says Katrin Ley, Managing Director
of Fashion for Good.105 “In addition, the process shows enormous potential for
further expansion to include other fibers in the fashion supply chain.” Bext360,
with its vast network, is able to decrease the cost of people to manage its supply
chain and increase the ability to prove authenticity, sustainability, and origin (SDGs
8,12). Beyond enterprises, the use of Bext360’s software is also highly beneficial
to farmers. Cotton is traced to the level of the individual farm and the payment
process is digitized, ensuring that producers are given their fair share of the
cotton proceeds (SDG 10). Additionally, the blockchain tokens are designed to
provide incentive payments to producers at various steps of the process.

274
NOURISHING VALUE AND NATURAL CAPITAL FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
The rising demand for food in the present era creates new issues, such as counterfeit products that
threaten farming supply chains at different stages. Blockchain technology tackles this by enabling
the traceability of information in the food supply chain and thus helping improve food safety and
security.The secure data management and storage facilitates the development and use of data-
driven innovations for smart farming and smart agriculture insurance.To allow food production
and transport to operate with more confidence, AgriDigital has developed the ability to eliminate
counterparty risk by running commodity transactions on a blockchain (Case 59).

The World Food Programme’s (WFP) Building Blocks project has notably emerged recently, which
uses blockchain for authenticating and registering transactions that expand refugees’ choices in
how they access and spend their cash assistance.

Weather conditions affect global nourishment sources, such as crops and livestock. Climate change
is expected to further exacerbate weather conditions in the future.Thus, agricultural insurance
schemes are an increasingly important aspect of food production as a risk management tool for
farmers. Blockchain can contribute to improving index insurance in two dimensions. First, it makes
automated payments in a timely manner based on weather data that triggers the payout as defined
in a smart contract. Second, it automatically integrates weather information and other data points
based on risk reduction analyses, such as plant growth information and smart improvements, thus
making the payout process more efficient.106

Etherisc, a Swiss company, provides decentralized crop insurance using blockchain technology that
administers payouts based on weather data in Decentralized Insurance Protocol tokens as the
native currency.107 Alibaba spin-off Ant has more than 50 blockchain applications in development
on its blockchain platform, AntChain. AntChain Traceability-as-a-Service (TaaS) is a blockchain-
based food traceability solution combined with IoT technologies to enable trust, increase efficiency,
and provide end-to-end transparency on food and agricultural information along the supply chain.
Leading Chinese restaurant group Oversea Enterprise Berhad is the first local business adopting
AntChain TaaS in Southeast Asia to trace its mooncake products.108 In 2019, Ant Group processed
$17 trillion in transactions on mainland China and a further $90 billion overseas.109

STRENGTHENING GREEN ECONOMIES AND DECENTRALIZED ENERGY SYSTEMS

The energy sector is already one of the most rapid adopters of blockchain technology. Due to
its distributed nature, Blockchain can make energy networks much more secure if implemented
correctly. In coordination with burgeoning technologies such as AI and IoT, blockchain can help
secure networks and grids because it is managed by a distributed group of peers rather than by
a central server or authority.110 Blockchain manages energy demand and supply, enables peer-to-
peer trading, and facilitates distributed energy generation by allowing consumers to buy and sell
their own energy. Historically, national energy systems relied on large, centralized power plants
to produce electricity and transmit it over networks to households or industrial and commercial
customers.

However, new sustainable energy technologies such as wind and solar, energy storage and smart
grids, and digital tools like IoT, AI, and machine learning are allowing more small producers to
generate and transmit electricity. In this regard, blockchain contributes through “smart contracts,”
which allow real-time pricing and make the grid more flexible.111 Blockchain also enables
consumers to sell excess power to the grid at wholesale rates rather than retail prices and to
buyers in their local communities. It also helps boost efficiency, thereby reducing waste.The unique
characteristics of the peer-to-peer trading platform that blockchain enables can also be used to
link carbon-trading schemes from different countries.

275
59 IN BUSINESS
AGRIDIGITAL112
Initiative: Blockchain-Based Agricultural Solutions
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia

AgriDigital is an Australian company with a cloud-based commodity management

platform that connects farmers and value chain actors through a blockchain-en-
abled system (SDGs 9,17). It is aimed at helping farmers suffering from coun-
terparty risk when selling their crops.The blockchain component allows each
transaction to be immutably tracked on the platform.Their payments occur in
real-time through smart contracts, creating a better life for low-wage farmers
(SDGs 8,10). “In a trading environment where margins are so thin, AgriDigital ena-
bles us to be running as lean as possible, and this system is far ahead of everything
else in allowing us to do this,” says Jackson Morris, Commodity Trader at OTO-
CHU Australia for AgriDigital.113 Currently, AgriDigital generates a transaction
value of over $3.5 billion, a product volume of nearly 25 million metric tons, and
has approximately 7,000 active users.

60 WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME114

Initiative: Building Blocks
Headquarters: Rome, Italy

The World Food Programme (WFP) has been using Blockchain to deliver food as-
sistance to 106,000 Syrian refugees in Jordan (SDGs 2,3). Specifically, it facilitates
cash transfers while protecting beneficiary data, controlling financial risks, and
allowing for greater collaboration (SDG 9). Globally,WFP is the largest agency de-
livering humanitarian cash and in 2019 distributed a record of $2.1 billion, reach-
ing over 28 million people in 64 countries.WFP also initiated a proof-of-concept
project in Sindh province, Pakistan to test the capabilities of using blockchain for
authenticating and registering beneficiary transactions.The blockchain technology
behind the project allowed direct, secure, and fast transactions between partici-
pants and WFP – without requiring a financial intermediary like a bank to connect
the two parties (SDG 10).

After refining the project’s approach, the next phase of Building Blocks was im-
plemented in two refugee camps in Jordan. Now, over 100,000 people living in the
camps can purchase groceries by scanning the iris of their eye at checkout (SDG
11). Cash value from WFP or other partners is stored in a beneficiary account
maintained on the blockchain.The cash that beneficiaries receive or spend on
goods and services is paid to the beneficiaries or to the retailers through a com-
mercial financial service provider built on a private, permissioned blockchain and
integrated with existing biometric authentication technology. Building Blocks save
on financial transaction fees in the camp setting and ensure greater security and
privacy for Syrian refugees (SDGs 1,16).
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Facilitated clean energy trading through this tech could also allow for the development of peer-
to-peer platforms on which renewable energy would be traded. Consumers would be able to buy,
sell, or exchange renewable energy assets with each other by using tokens or digital assets that
represent a certain quantity of energy production.

Smart contracts can also empower environmentally-conscious businesses to drive the green
economy.This could be through a reforestation or carbon restoration smart contract. Enterprises
could be paid in the form of tokenized carbon credits which would, in turn, be sold to charitable
organizations, crowdfunding campaigns, or even companies seeking to show they have made a
green impact.115 Further, smart contracts can also give environmentally-conscious consumers
more options in terms of their energy consumption. Decentralized energy grids, like the Brooklyn
Microgrid Project, use smart contracts to give consumers the ability to produce and trade solar
electricity with their neighbors through an exchange that uses a blockchain as a coordination
mechanism (Case 61).116

Incorporating smart contracts and blockchain technology creates a secure and automated process
that cuts costs for users and removes the need for energy suppliers or transmission companies.
Decentralized grids are more resilient in emergencies like natural disasters because the energy
is generated, stored, and consumed within a small geographical area. By tracking and reporting
emissions reductions, blockchain technology can ensure more transparency around greenhouse
gas emissions and make it easier to track and report emissions reductions. It could serve as a tool
to monitor the progress made in implementing the Nationally Determined Contributions under
the Paris Agreement.117 Traditionally high-polluting industries are employing blockchain to clean
up their operations, which can lead to significantly reduced emissions from Bitcoin mining.Take for
example, Genesis Mining, an Icelandic company which enables crypto mining in the cloud and uses
100% renewable energy to power its computers.118

BLOCKCHAIN HAS THE GREAT POTENTIAL TO EMPLOY TECH IN SOLVING

ENERGY RISKS AMONG SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST VULNERABLE
POPULATIONS.

There are numerous blockchain energy initiatives across the globe, including several tech startups,
guided by the promise of greater transparency and accuracy.They not only address consumer
needs but also create business opportunities. Several blockchain initiatives and startups focus
on energy sharing, virtual power plants, and decentralized energy resources, as demonstrated in
the case of Brooklyn Microgrid. New systems are emerging where power flows from microgrids
to smart meters connected to the blockchain network. Modern energy services are vital to the
wellbeing of humans and a country’s economic development.Yet, 800 million people globally lack
access to electricity. Around 95% of these people are in either sub-Saharan Africa or developing
Asia, with 80% in rural areas.119 Innovative initiatives address consumer concerns around the world
in vulnerable areas, such as Haiti, where locals can interact with their smart meters and purchase
power directly from their mobile devices.

Distributed, renewable energy blockchain solutions empower underserved communities to

reduce the use of fossil fuels and mitigate the effects of climate change. ImpactPPA identifies the
fundamental issue restricting access to critical resources, solutions, and capital as the existing
legacy financial institutions that govern how and to whom access to capital is deployed.120 The US-
based startup solves this problem by using blockchain for new sources and methods of effectuating
change, while also enabling communities through self-determination to rise out of poverty and
move forward in the global economy.

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61 IN BUSINESS
BROOKLYN MICROGRID121
Initiative: Exergy
Headquarters: Brooklyn, New York, USA

Through blockchain technology and the company’s own innovative solutions,

Brooklyn Microgrid developed Exergy. Exergy facilitates peer-to-peer transactions
between its microgrid participants using blockchain technology and smart con-
tracts (SDG 10). It is a permissioned data platform that creates a localized mar-
ketplace for transacting energy across existing grid infrastructure (SDGs 7, 9,11).
The full potential of the Exergy platform has yet to be realized, but it is designed to
influence the energy model of the future. Participants access the local energy mar-
ketplace through the Brooklyn Microgrid mobile app. In the app, people can choose
to buy local solar energy credits. Prosumers sell their excess solar energy to the
marketplace where consumers purchase the available solar via auction (SDG 12).

According to Lawrence Orsini, CEO of LO3 Energy (the organization behind the
Brooklyn Microgrid), “Exergy is about enabling the market shift to an economy that
looks towards useful work more than it does to the production of energy.The plat-
form itself is, at its core, about releasing grid edge data, so that devices can start
to respond in real time to actual grid edge telemetry, enabling devices to respond
to a burn out, or a congestion, or over-voltage. Getting that data and localizing, at
the granular level, is really the function of the platform.”122 Purchasing local solar
energy through Brooklyn Microgrid supports the local economy and reduces green-
house gas emissions and air pollution (SDG 13). Additionally, Brooklyn Microgrid
provides users with control over where their energy is sourced.

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BLOCKCHAIN IN THE ENERGY SECTOR
Innovative companies around the world using blockchain tech in the energy sector include:
• The Energy Web Foundation, which is building an open-source, blockchain-based digital
infrastructure for the energy sector in Germany with a growing portfolio of cutting-edge
pilots.123
• British startup Rowan Energy that develops a blockchain-based reward system for solar
power producers.124
• Startups like GTIME Blockchain in Chile provide energy traceability platforms that directly
connect to renewable energy plants and provide real-time information about the energy
source.125
• Estonian startup Powerchain, which provides decentralized energy storage and trading
systems for electricity manufacturers.126
• EPC Blockchain, a Malaysian startup that offers a Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS) solution by
using decentralized storage to enable energy project owners to keep track of their energy
savings and renewable energy generation.127

REINFORCING SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS SERVICES IN HEALTHCARE

Blockchain technology can transform healthcare by enhancing data security, privacy, and
interoperability. In 2018, healthcare institutions were subjected to cyberattacks, resulting in the
violation of more than 15 million patient records.128 In 2019, the number of breaches increased
by 60%.129 Blockchain can tackle such attacks by providing a new model for health information
exchanges where electronic medical records become more efficient, disintermediated, and secure.
Improving the interoperability and security of today’s electronic health record management system
and drug supply chain requires blockchain-based solutions. Every year, the healthcare industry
carries out high-cost transactions, although 63% of physicians still do not receive the data on time
or adequately.130 As a result of inefficient supply chains, patients’ deaths and the inclusion and sale
of counterfeit pharmaceutical products is quite common in the medical industry.

These challenges result in the loss of over $200 billion per year for the healthcare industry in the
U.S. alone.131 Blockchain can solve these problems efficiently and minimize loss while making data
interoperable and providing doctors with real-time access. Blockchains will enable the storage of
all data in a single place that the patients themselves could control and monitor. Interoperability
of the blockchain system will allow doctors easy access to a patient’s accurate medical history.
Medical professionals can thus better identify health conditions and formulate a more effective
care process. Blockchain also ensures unparalleled security for patients’ data, giving them control
of the parties they share their records with.

BY 2025, 55% OF ALL HEALTHCARE APPLICATIONS WILL HAVE DEPLOYED

BLOCKCHAIN FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES. BY THE SAME YEAR, THE
VALUATION OF BLOCKCHAIN IN HEALTHCARE IS EXPECTED TO JUMP TO
$5.61 BILLION FROM THE PRESENT $170 MILLION.

Vancouver’s Coral Health emerges as an example that employs the tech to accelerate the care
process, automate administrative procedures, and improve health outcomes.132 By inserting patient
information into a blockchain platform, the company efficiently connects doctors, scientists, lab
technicians, and public health authorities. Coral Health also implements smart contracts between
patients and healthcare professionals to ensure that data and treatments are accurate. COVID-19
has highlighted the challenges and vulnerabilities in global supply chains, alerting the need for
better transparency and traceability.
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62 IN BUSINESS
KOIBANX133
Initiative:VitalPass
Headquarters: Buenos Aires, Argentina

The digital passport VitalPass was developed with the technological support
of Koibanx, a Latin American company with experience implementing block-
chain-based asset tokenization and transactional solutions for the financial and
government sectors.134 Koibanx is a private software company focused on smart
contracts solutions and blockchain services. As part of a collaborative effort
between Koibanx and blockchain ecosystem Algorand, the world’s first blockchain
based COVID-19 passport was launched by the Colombian government in 2021
(SDGs 3,17).The system uses the blockchain technology to generate records of
patients’ experiences from paper to digital certificates (SDG 10).This tech solution
provides security, traceability and openness throughout Latin America (SDG 16).

When a person visits a participating location for vaccination, an email address is

used to assign a username.The certificate is then issued at the healthcare location
and registered on the Algorand blockchain through a user interface designed by
Koibanx.This system provides the person with a passport-like document linked
to a vaccine verification on the blockchain.The details are subsequently accessed
through a simple QR code.Talking about the collaboration,W. Sean Ford, COO of
Algorand said: “We are excited about the innovation coming out of Latin Ameri-
ca, particularly when it comes to the ability to harness the power of efficient and
advanced blockchain to quickly bring innovative solutions to life.”135 This digital
vaccination passport is free and cannot be falsified, since it creates a permanent
and inalterable record on Algorand blockchain, which is a public, decentralized
network that was purposefully built for global applications that can scale to mass
adoption (SDG 9).

As of its latest funding round in August 2022, Koibanx raised a $22 million.136 The
investment round was led by Algorand and included the participation of Borderless
Capital, Kalonia Venture Partners, G2 and Innogen Capital, among others. Koibanx
also plans to allow developers to create financial products on the blockchain, with
the aim of reaching 10,000 developers by the end of 2023.

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Blockchain is being used to track vaccine delivery, thereby addressing large global inefficiencies that
cost lives and money, especially in rural areas where supply chain inefficiencies slow the vaccine
delivery rate. One in five infants fail to obtain basic routine immunizations, resulting in 1.5 million
annual deaths of children from preventable diseases.137 It has also been critically important for
global healthcare to track COVID-19 vaccinations on blockchain.The digital passport known as
VitalPass has been developed by Koibanx, a Latin American asset tokenization company, to monitor
immunizations utilizing the powerful Algorand blockchain technology.

ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD

Although blockchain presents many exciting solutions, advanced ledger tech has some possible
downsides and risks to consider. Blockchain is a relatively untested technology in widespread
application and presents some sustainability challenges in a rapidly changing world. Beyond
its potential beneficial impact across public and private sectors, blockchain has also garnered
skepticism related to its scalability and the high-energy use of early platforms. Companies
employing this tech as a model for sustainable business must simultaneously be critical of the
controversial aspects and how to address them.While crypto-mining processes have traditionally
used large amounts of energy and blockchain governance and user protections remain an area of
concern, there are numerous benefits to this decentralized transactional structure with proven
Tech for Good power.

Crypto-mining processes engage powerful computers that run complex calculations to solve
equations. Naturally, the more high-powered the computer, the more electricity used. Some miners
even connect entire warehouses full of computers to the network to increase their computational
power.The increasing need for advanced systems is generating complexity in algorithms, a trend
that requires more energy. Recent studies have revealed that Bitcoin consumes around 121.36
TWh per year, more electricity than the entire country of Argentina.138 While this is still a fraction
of the energy the Internet uses in total, it is something to be cautious about as blockchain use
grows.

BEYOND ITS POTENTIAL BENEFICIAL IMPACT, BLOCKCHAIN HAS GARNERED

SKEPTICISM RELATED TO ITS SCALABILITY AND THE HIGH-ENERGY USE OF
EARLY PLATFORMS.

Also important to note, despite the enhancement blockchain brings to security, accountability, and
transparency for people worldwide, this innovation needs sufficient monitoring for governance
and user protection. Guarding against undesirable outcomes will be necessary for individuals,
companies, organizations, and societies at large.With this in mind, there has been encouraging
momentum towards defining and self-regulating user blockchain protection, such as the Global
Digital Finance Code and the WEF Global Blockchain Council’s Presidio Principles.139

Blockchain is still a nascent technology despite its vast, exciting potential and the promising
cases presented throughout this chapter. Regulatory uncertainty, immature infrastructure,
technological limitations, and risks constrain the tech. Governments and policymakers may be
cautious about supporting the maturation of blockchain while they create coherent regulatory
frameworks. Several countries worldwide, like the US, Malta, and Belarus, have stated the need
for instituted blockchain regulations.140 All these potential risks, downsides, and challenges are
important considerations when addressing the complexities of blockchain’s consumer protection,
infrastructure capabilities, and its influence on politics and cultural norms. Resolving these ensures
that the technology will be able to meaningfully contribute to sustainable development aims.

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 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
We have imagined how blockchain simplifies all stages of agriculture supply chain. Supply chain
management in agriculture is often more complex than in other sectors, as food production
depends on factors like weather, pests, and labor structures that are sometimes hard to predict
and control. Blockchain tech enables transparency, trust, and a high degree of efficiency throughout
the agriculture network.With verifiable data for sustainable business across the entire product
movement, the technology solution seeks to ensure transparent transactions and eliminate
fraud. Moreover, distributed ledger applications can be extended to help mitigate taxing and
inhumane labor practices and promote safe and verifiable access to medicines and vaccines. Hence,
blockchain simplifies all stages of the agriculture supply chain.

The cotton farmers can now track fair pricing with greater ease and consumers are able to verify
the provenance of organic goods. As blockchain increasingly expands for business management
practices, society will also experience improved energy efficiency through supply chain movement.
Just imagine the ease with which we can gain access to information about the agricultural practices
and labor markets behind the products we buy.The data are now at our fingertips, providing the
knowledge we need to make more informed choices that will move markets toward a sustainable
world.

We have imagined Blockchain for Good.

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TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
 SPACETECH 9
OUTER SPACE IS A VAST FRONTIER YET TO BE
FULLY EXPLORED.
IT UNLOCKS UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITIES
TO ADDRESS OUR GREATEST CHALLENGES.

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 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine peering across the stars from our celestial vantage point of the International Space
Station, or peeking out the window of a seat on the SpaceX Starship and seeing the Earth
from afar.When viewing Earth from outer space, we see the entirety of the planet’s beauty.
The view from space shows us the deep blue of water surrounding the greenish-brown
patches of land. From space, our habitable planet appears beautiful, and this distant
perspective gives us a new appreciation for the place we call home. Imagine if we could
witness this view with our own eyes and not merely through images.

This far-off view has an appearance of ample water supply, yet we soon find our eyes are
misleading us.The majestic cobalt oceans, lakes, and rivers we look at on the map do not
give the full picture of the water supply on Earth. Despite the abundance of water sources
we may see, the optical illusion is that many regions fall short when it comes to access to
potable water. On Africa, which is the second-largest continent, although groundwater
sources are vast, countries and populations in arid regions lack the necessary infrastructure
and technology to access water. Urgent action is paramount to overcome the global water
crisis, and advanced technologies are an essential tool for monitoring and managing water
resources on Earth.

Outer space has always fascinated humankind. Now, the intrigue is focused in a completely
new way in which space technologies are being employed to protect people and the planet.
Albert Einstein once said, “look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything
better.” Equally important is to look at nature from a great distance. Space tech solutions
come to mind, such as satellite imaging within hydrological and hydro-geological systems
that are integrated with other geospatial data sources.

The integrated approach of the Geographic Information System (GIS) and remote sensing
has been recognized universally as a unique, effective, and highly versatile technology for
evaluating, managing, and monitoring water resources. Similarly, earth observation satellite
data can help address water shortage problems in different ways.The archives of space
agencies contain a valuable and extensive mountain of data awaiting exploitation. By
utilizing space tech to zoom in on Earth and see beneath the surface, we can get a better
picture of what needs to be solved and where to help address the SDGs.

NASA’s Gravity Recovery and Climate Experiment (GRACE) provided excellent

opportunities to enhance groundwater data as well.1 The mission involved twin satellites that
took detailed measurements of Earth’s gravity field anomalies from its launch in March 2002

286
to October 2017. Among its innovations, GRACE monitored the loss of ice mass from
Earth’s ice sheets and improved understanding of the processes responsible for sea-level
rise and ocean circulation. It also provided insights into where global groundwater resources
may be shrinking or growing, and where dry soils are contributing to drought.

Water is indeed crucial for economic survival and poverty alleviation. Hence, water
conservation and protection are essential aspects of managing Africa’s water resources.
According to a United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) assessment, two-thirds of the
Earth’s population will live in water-stressed conditions by 2025 if current consumption
patterns continue; in this category are 25 African states.2 Furthermore, in the African Water
Vision for 2025, the World Commission of Water for the 21st Century emphasized several
obstructions that affect water resource management.3 These issues include the abundance
of transboundary water basins, the fluctuation of climate and rainfall patterns, the scarcity of
water and groundwater resources, increased demand and water pollution, and
environmental degradation.

To this end, the Commission Internationale du Bassin Congo-Oubangui-Sangha (CICOS),

based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leads a consortium that deals with water
resource management by providing user-customized GIS information on navigation,
meteorological, hydrological, hydropower and drinking water production, agro-pastoral
services, forest management, and protected areas, among others.4 These satellite
technologies used for water supply management are vitally important to the African people.

Imagine how leveraging space tech to transform how we manage water resources and
deliver water and sanitation services for humankind could transform our lives.The vast
realm of outer space provides ample inspiration to design technological breakthroughs and
reimagine our relationship to the vacuum beyond Earth’s atmosphere. As we journey into
outer space to unlock solutions that address the Global Goals, the view from this extended
vantage point will include seeing how space technologies can help us preserve our beautiful
planet Earth.

Imagine solving our water resource challenges on Earth from outer space.This is SpaceTech
for Good.

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9 EXPLORING
SPACETECH
Throughout the book thus far, we have predominantly explored technologies on, just above, and
beneath the surface of planet Earth. In this chapter, however, the narrative navigates a journey to
discover the possibilities for technologies in outer space and the ways in which they benefit the
Earth and surrounding solar systems. Advanced space tech solutions span across technologies
and come together to form a comprehensive network, many of which are already mentioned in
previous chapters, such as robotics, AI, and drones.The infrastructure supporting these techs in
space goes beyond our earthly applications into exciting new genres as well. Satellites in outer
space, for instance, play a prominent role in improving the world today and have beneficially
disrupted human endeavors, particularly in reference to science and technology.

Yet important questions arise:Why seek to explore space when numerous challenges remain
unaddressed here on Earth? Why travel into outer space when our home planet’s resources
have yet to be fully managed and utilized? Why build satellites for space when there are so many
opportunities to focus on and resources to manage here on Earth? The answer is that the world
needs to explore opportunities and solutions that go beyond this stressed planet to help resolve
threats here on Earth.

This chapter takes on a metaphorical concept of viewing Earth from space. It will describe
the different technologies applied in space and how space tech has huge economic impact by
itself. Most importantly, the following pages present space tech as an impressive force for Good
throughout many business sectors. Businesses are now identifying new opportunities in space
tech.This shift of paradigms, sometimes called Space 4.0, is a period that has seen changes in
motivations, actors, and technologies.5 Space 4.0 is similar to the concept of Industry 4.0 -
accentuating the impact of the 4IR on manufacturing and services. Organizations that employ a
combination of digital technologies, such as cloud, machine learning, and blockchain, are developing
a strong competitive advantage in addition to impacting both upstream and downstream parts of
the space value chain. Innovations go hand in hand with related risks and challenges. How these can
be effectively addressed is considered at the end of the chapter.

288
THE TECH
Space technology is the application of engineering principles in the design, development,
manufacturing, and operation of devices and systems for space travel and exploration. Space tech
is currently used to explore other planets, study the universe, and provide communication and
navigation services to support human activities.6 This tech solution encompasses a wide range
of concepts, including instruments such as satellites and human aspects of space travel including
astronautics, physics, chemistry, and biology. Space tech also covers research and development of
new technologies, new applications for existing technologies, and improvement of technologies for
existing space systems.

THE TERM “SPACETECH” REFERS TO ANY TECHNOLOGY THAT SUPPORTS OR

ENABLES TRAVEL TO SPACE OR ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED IN SPACE.7

With the launch of Sputnik in 1957 and the subsequent beginning of the space age, the progression
of space technologies has spurred the development of numerous applications that use satellite
data. Space tech also underpins scientific progress in earth and atmospheric sciences, as well as in
astronomy and astrophysics. Some of the most notable contributions from the field include satellite
measurements that showed the extent of the ozone layer depletion in the atmosphere.8

Over 2021 and 2022, many innovative companies made substantial progress in the space tech
sector. Beyond the groundbreaking space tourism voyages sending wealthy billionaires into
space, there are significant beneficial advances in a number of areas throughout the sector: these
include rockets and launch systems; Earth observation, which has a wide variety of applications
for businesses and society; small satellites for next-generation communications and sustainability
efforts; and systems to defend against asteroids and clean up space debris. Rocket Lab, Relativity
Space, and ABL Space Systems are companies at the forefront of the industry, finding their own
novel angles in the new space tech realm.The most well-known and prolific is SpaceX, a private
aerospace manufacturer founded by Elon Musk (Case 63). SpaceX continues to lead the pack of
launch vehicle manufacturers, with a record number of launches last year and deliverance on its
promise to get NASA and its corporate customers into orbit at a lower cost than ever before.

The historical contexts of the variety of space technologies are important to discuss, including
the description of what they are, both in relation to space and other technological categories.
Categories in space tech are distinguished here by infrastructure that utilizes a variety of
previously mentioned technologies that create outer space-specific applications and installations.
Here, there is a clear categorization of five space technology groups: spacecraft and gear for
astronauts; satellites; space stations and deep-space communication; orbital launch vehicles
including in-space propulsion; and a wide variety of auxiliary technologies including support
infrastructure, equipment, and procedures.

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 SPACE VEHICLES, SUCH AS SPACECRAFT, AND GEAR FOR ASTRONAUTS
Robotic spacecrafts are specially designed and constructed systems that function in the hostile
environment of outer space.With complexities and capabilities that vary greatly, their purposes
are diverse and unique. NASA categorizes these space vehicles in eight broad classes of robotic
spacecraft, according to the missions they are intended to perform: Flyby Spacecraft, Orbiter
Spacecraft, Atmospheric Spacecraft, Lander Spacecraft, Penetrator Spacecraft, Rover Spacecraft,
Observatory Spacecraft, and Communications and Navigation Spacecraft.9

OVER THE YEARS, MORE THAN 1,300 NASA TECH DEVELOPMENTS HAVE
GONE INTO COMMERCIAL PRODUCTS.10

Since space can be very cold or very hot, specific gear for humans in that environment needed to
be devised. Solar radiation is intense, but objects in the dark lose heat quickly.The temperature can
vary by 135 degrees Celsius from one side of an object to the other. As a result, scientists at NASA
have developed ways to warm, cool, and insulate people and equipment. Over the years, more
than 1,300 NASA tech developments have gone into commercial products.11 The space blanket,
for example, is probably the best-known NASA product for keeping warm, and it was originally
designed to protect against temperature extremes in space and used on almost all manned and
unmanned NASA missions.

SATELLITES
Satellites are objects in orbits around the Earth.The idea of communications satellites came from
Sir Arthur C. Clark in 1945.The first communications satellite (a simple reflector) was the U.S.
Echo 1 in 1960, and the first “geosynchronous” satellite (having a period of rotation synchronous
with that of the Earth’s rotation), Syncom, went up in 1962. As of the December 2021 Satellite
Database, experts at the Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) list more than 4,852 operational
satellites currently in orbit around Earth.12 Satellites have become essential for modern life. Among
the important applications of satellite technology are video, voice, mobile, IP data, radio, Earth and
space observation, global resource monitoring, military, positioning (GPS), microgravity science, and
many others. Satellites are classified by the distance of their orbits above the Earth. In 2020, 1,283
satellites were launched.13

AS PER DECEMBER 2021 SATELLITE DATABASE, EXPERTS AT UCS LIST

MORE THAN 4,852 OPERATIONAL SATELLITES CURRENTLY IN ORBIT AROUND
EARTH.14

Low Earth Orbiting (LEO) satellites are located at an altitude of from 100 to 1,200 miles, and
Medium Earth Orbits (MEO) are located at an altitude of from 4,000 to 12,000 miles. Geo-
stationary orbits are located exactly 23.4 miles high. LEO and MEO (sub-geosynchronous)
orbiting satellites can communicate with the Earth by “passing off ” to a fleet of like satellites,
thereby providing full Earth coverage.They can also pass off to a geosynchronous relay satellite,
or they can deliver data to the ground as they pass over a ground station.The top ten countries
dominating the satellite industry are the United States, China, Russia, the United Kingdom, Japan,
India, Luxembourg, Canada, Germany, and European Space Agency (a multinational alliance of 22
European nations).The growth in the number of satellites over the last decade was mainly driven
by the development of the smaller CubeSat, which allows a large number of small-sized satellites to
launch at the same time.15

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SPACE STATIONS AND DEEP-SPACE COMMUNICATION
A space station is a large man-made spacecraft that floats and orbits in Earth’s space.While
small space stations can be sent to orbit fully assembled, larger space stations are sent to space
in modules and assembled there.They store supplies, energy, and environmental systems that
can support human habitation. Scientists and astronauts who inhabit the space stations engage
in activities such as scientific experiments, maintenance, spacewalks, and social media updates.
The essential task of all ground tracking stations is to communicate with spacecraft, transmitting
commands and receiving scientific data and spacecraft status information. Since 1971, 12 space
stations that were launched into a low orbit around Earth have been occupied for varying lengths
of time. An example is the European Space Agency’s tracking station network – Estrack – which
is a global system of ground stations providing links between satellites in orbit and ESOC,
the European Space Operations Centre, in Darmstadt, Germany.16 The core Estrack network
comprises seven stations in seven countries. In a typical year, the Estrack network provides over
15,000 hours of tracking support to 20 or more missions, with an enviable service availability rate
above 99%.17 These technically advanced stations can track spacecraft almost anywhere – circling
Earth, watching the Sun, orbiting at the scientifically crucial Sun-Earth Lagrange points, or voyaging
deep into our Solar System.

PER YEAR, THE ESTRACK NETWORK PROVIDES OVER 15,000 HOURS OF

TRACKING SUPPORT TO 20 OR MORE MISSIONS, WITH AN ENVIABLE SERVICE
AVAILABILITY RATE ABOVE 99%.18

Good communication is vital not only for collecting science and status data but also for navigating
spacecraft through the Solar System.To navigate spacecraft, it is necessary to know their position,
which is no easy feat when they are so far away. However, by measuring three parameters –
distance, velocity, and the angle at which a spacecraft is located in the sky – it is possible to
calculate a satellite’s position down to a small box-shaped region of space.The Deep Space
Network (DSN) is NASA’s international array of radio antennas that support interplanetary
spacecraft missions, plus a few that orbit Earth, with communication ground segment facilities.The
DSN also provides radar and radio astronomy observations that improve human understanding of
the solar system and the larger universe.19 The antennas of the Deep Space Network are essential
to space travel.They provide the crucial connection for commanding spacecraft and receiving their
images and scientific information on Earth, all necessary for propelling human understanding of the
universe, the solar system, and our place within it.

ORBITAL LAUNCH VEHICLES, INCLUDING IN-SPACE PROPULSION

Orbital launch vehicles are internally propelled vehicles used to carry payloads from Earth’s
surface to Earth’s orbit or beyond.The payloads vary, but they can be satellites, spacecraft, or
interplanetary probes.Today, orbital launch vehicles are powered by rocket engines that generate
large amounts of thrust even in a vacuum by means of expelling hot gas through a nozzle.The
primary function of rocket engines is to convert chemical energy to kinetic energy.There are
several different styles of rocket engines that are used. However, they perform those functions
in slightly different ways with slightly different architectures primarily determined by their fuel
type and their fuel consumption method. Spacecraft propulsion is any method used to accelerate
spacecraft and artificial satellites.

There are several different methods, but most current spacecraft are propelled by forcing gas
through the rear of the vehicle at high speed through a supersonic nozzle of a rocket engine. All
spacecraft use chemical rockets to launch, although some (such as Pegasus missiles and Space Ship
One) use air-jet engines in the first step. Most satellites have simple chemical thrusters or missiles
that resist jets to maintain orbit.20

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63 IN BUSINESS
SPACEX21
Initiative: Starship
Headquarters: Hawthorne, California USA

SpaceX is an innovative tech company that has attained some significant milestones
in the global sustainability agenda, both on Earth and in orbit.The tech company
developed fully reusable spacecraft sending civilians beyond the Earth’s atmos-
phere.Their reusable rockets, for example, allow them to simply refuel the rocket
in question, aim it back at the sky, and send it right back into space (SDGs 9,12).
SpaceX rockets use liquid kerosene, which is not hazardous or toxic like hypergolic
propellants.22 In the future, the company aims to use the natural gas methane as a
greener alternative to rocket fuel (SDGs 7,13).

NASA chose SpaceX’s Starship rocket to send humans to the moon, investing $2.9
billion in the vehicle that Elon Musk’s team is developing with the goal of sending a
man to Mars (SDGs 10,16).23 Starship is built to be fully reusable and the world’s
most powerful launch vehicle, capable of carrying more than 100 metric tons of
passengers and cargo.The rocket and satellite company became the most valua-
ble private startup in the world in August 2022 when its valuation rose to $127

64
billion.24

MAXAR25
Initiative: A New Era of Space Operations
Headquarters:Westminster, Colorado USA

Maxar is a tech solutions company that partners with innovative businesses and
more than 50 governments to monitor global change, deliver broadband communi-
cations, and advance space operations with capabilities in space infrastructure and
Earth Intelligence (SDG 17).

In space - With more than 60 years of experience, Maxar designs and manufactures
satellites and spacecraft components for communications, Earth observation, explo-
ration, and on-orbit servicing and assembly (SDGs 9,12).

On Earth - Maxar capabilities in Earth intelligence help customers map, detect, and
predict change across the globe. Fueled largely by Maxar’s own constellation of
high-resolution imaging satellites, the company provides high-resolution satellite
imagery and data layers, machine learning, and domain knowledge so organizations
can make decisions with confidence (SDGs 4,10).

Maxar’s initiatives include 1300 Class, the world’s most popular spacecraft platform
to accommodate evolutionary advances in technology. Also relevant in the compa-
ny’s portfolio are satellite imagery, robotics, power and propulsion elements, and
292 SAMPLR, the first robotic arm to return to the moon in over 50 years.
Soviet bloc satellites have used electric propulsion for decades, and the new Western geo-orbital
spacecraft are also using electric propulsion for orbit maintenance of north-south. Advanced in-
space propulsion technologies will enable much more effective exploration of our solar system,
near and far, and will permit mission designers to plan missions to “fly anytime, anywhere, and
complete a host of science objectives at the destinations” with greater reliability and safety.26

AUXILIARY TECHNOLOGIES
Increasing demands for global connectivity, enhanced national security, and advanced space
exploration is driving commercial innovation in the space industry.There are a variety of other
technologies, including support infrastructure, equipment, and procedures taking place. Businesses
are providing solutions for space infrastructure, and NASA is spearheading the charge to develop
new technologies for a variety of space tech solutions. NASA has selected nine space technologies
under the agency’s 2021 TechFlights solicitation for testing aboard parabolic aircraft, high-altitude
balloons, and suborbital rocket-powered systems.27 This $5.5 million investment in technology
demonstration activities will support the advancement of a wide range of technologies that
address mission needs for both NASA and the commercial space industry.These supporting
technologies are selected under the Flight Opportunities program within NASA’s Space Technology
Mission Directorate (STMD), which develops transformative space technologies to enable future
missions.28

INCREASING DEMANDS FOR GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY, ENHANCED NATIONAL

SECURITY, AND ADVANCED SPACE EXPLORATION IS DRIVING
COMMERCIAL INNOVATION.

By supporting suborbital flight testing, the Flight Opportunities program aims to help ensure
that space innovations are well-positioned to address NASA’s space exploration and scientific
discovery goals while also supporting commercial space infrastructure.These three focus areas are:
Supporting National Efforts at the Moon and in Cislunar Space, Inclusive of Human and Robotic
Exploration and Scientific Discovery; Earth-Observing Capabilities to Support Breakthrough
Science and National Efforts to Address Climate Change;Technologies that Ensure National
Leadership in Space and Help the Commercial Space Industry Grow.

Beyond NASA’s ongoing efforts, startups of varying degrees of funding are emerging to provide
things like life support systems, crew habitats, device connectivity, satellite traffic management,
and food solutions.These types of technologies are crucial to space commercialization efforts.
There are a number of business applications supporting the space tech industry. Maxar, a space
infrastructure company, is leveraging its capabilities to continue redefining what’s possible in space
with innovations both on earth and in outer space. Maxar supports commercial and government
missions with Space Infrastructure capabilities (Case 25).

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 SPACETECH MARKET SIZE
The space tech industry encompasses a wide variety of spheres. From companies that study
propulsion and manufacture engines to entities that develop medicine for astronauts, the industry
is made up of businesses that both only produce specific materials and those that design software
and hardware for the launch vehicles. Space tech is a broad industry, and there are many companies
that work with space-related technologies, yet not all of these reach the scale of space exploration.
However, there is a significant number of companies of many different genres that are important
in the space frontier and have large market capitalizations and investments.Together, telecom,
internet, finance, and all other industries leveraging satellites are worth $10 trillion.29 The range
of companies across the spectrum goes from fully manufacturing unmanned and/or manned
launch vehicles that carry the payload to different levels of Earth’s orbit to leading companies that
manufacture the crucial parts of the launch vehicles.

TOGETHER, TELECOM, INTERNET, FINANCE, AND ALL OTHER INDUSTRIES

LEVERAGING SATELLITES ARE WORTH $10 TRILLION.30

In 2021, the global space market was valued at $388.5 billion and is expected to reach $540.75
billion by 2026.31 The sector expanded by an impressive 70% between 2010 and 2020.The space
economy is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.84% between 2022 and 2026.The fastest growth
is predicted to stem from new space applications and industries. Innovation in space continues
to soar as investment pours into the sector. In the decade leading into 2021, $178 billion in
investment flowed into the space economy.32 And in 2021, investment reached $14.5 billion for
space infrastructure companies.33 This amount includes a record-setting fourth quarter for the
year, which brought in $4.3 billion due to $250 million by Sierra Space, SpaceX, and Planet Labs.34
Space-related companies received $17.1 billion in venture capital in 2021, which was up 3% of total
global venture capital investment for the year.

THE GLOBAL SPACE SYSTEMS, SATELLITES, AND LAUNCHERS MARKET SIZE

IS ESTIMATED TO GROW FROM $32.9 BILLION IN 2020 AND TO $64.72 BILLION
IN 2026.35

Space as an investment theme is also likely to impact a number of industries beyond aerospace
and defense, such as the IT hardware and telecom sectors. It is estimated that the global space
industry could generate revenue of more than $1 trillion in 2040, up from $350 billion in 2020.36
Estimates predict that satellite broadband will represent 50% of the projected growth of the global
space economy by 2040, and this could be as much as 70% in the most optimistic scenario. Further,
Partnerships with investment companies have allowed space sector players to accelerate the
development of their corporate venture arms, while also improving their ability to move quickly
on promising investment opportunities. For example, the aerospace private-investment company
AE Industrial Partners partnered with Boeing to manage HorizonX, Boeing’s venture capital fund, in
July 2022 with the goal of raising $250 million to invest in promising start-ups in digital enterprise
applications, future mobility, networks, security, space, and sustainability.37

The space tech financial services sector is the largest in the space tech Industry, valued at $4.75
billion.38 In-orbit satellite services (IoS) have cumulative revenues of $6.2 billion by 2030.39
The IoS Market will see more commercial players using the various services over the next decade

294
generating 63% of global cumulative demand. Growth in satellite constellations greatly increases
the addressable market in Non-GEO, where services will focus mostly on de-orbiting and space
situational awareness (SSA). NSR’s latest report forecasts both ground and space-based SSA
revenues to represent a cumulative revenue opportunity of over $1B through the next decade.40

THE GLOBAL SPACE PROPULSION MARKET IS PROJECTED TO GROW FROM

$6.7 BILLION IN 2020 TO $14.2 BILLION BY 2025, AT A CAGR OF 16.2% DURING
THAT TIME PERIOD.41

The space economy is seeing the growth of jobs in various areas.Today, the number of jobs in the
space sector is estimated to be around 400,000, but that number is forecast to skyrocket to 1.5
million jobs in the future.42 Workers are needed in accounting, marketing, design, IT, manufacturing,
and STEM. Launch services in the United States alone rely on advanced manufacturing, which is the
source of 40% of all commercial launches, more than any other country in the world.That brings
more than $2 billion per year in revenues to US manufacturing industries.

Space-related technologies are being developed at a rapid rate.The launch vehicle, satellite,
propulsion, manufacturing, and other technologies are behind some of the most prominent
companies in space tech innovation. Several countries are planning their Mars colonization
projects, and others have a clear vision of lunar scientific stations. Space tourism has also become a
viable possibility and is increasingly more accessible.Tech support for market investments is gaining
traction as well. SpaceTech Analytics (STA) is a leading strategic and analytical agency focused on
emerging markets in Satellite Technology, Advanced Startups, Space Law, Economics, and other
industries of space tech (Case 65).

Market
$68 $6.2 expansion will
billion billion drive total
total 2030 estimate of value of space
early-stage in-orbit satellite tech sector to
space tech services
investments in cumulative $10
2021.43 revenues.44 trillion
by 2030.45

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65 IN BUSINESS
SPACETECH ANALYTICS46
Initiative: Strategic analytics agency focused on markets in space tech
Headquarters: London, United Kingdom

SpaceTech Analytics is a strategic analytics agency focused on markets in the space

exploration, spaceflight, space medicine, and satellite tech industries.The range
of activities includes research and analysis on major areas of high potential in the
space tech industry, maintaining profiling of companies and government agencies
based on their innovation potential and business activity, and providing consulting
and analytical services to advance the space technology industry (SDGs 8,9).The
think tank’s reports deliver information about major industry trends and sector
insights on over 350 space tech publicly traded companies and 700 investors.47 It
estimates the space industry will grow by $10 trillion in the next decade.

SpaceTech Analytics is a strategic partner to the leading space tech organizations,

investment institutions (VC funds and investment banks), and governments across
the globe — in matters related to investments, strategic positioning, and policy
development in the areas of space tech research (SDGs 12,17). SpaceTech Analyt-
ics regularly produces open industry reports covering high-growth sectors in the
industry, including spaceflights, satellite technologies, space exploration, and new
space discoveries (SDGs 10,16).

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SPACETECH FOR GOOD
As the new space economy develops, it increasingly overlaps with sustainability in areas such as
Earth observation, energy, and communications.These developing technologies from both public
and private companies may soon become a new avenue for investors interested in pursuing both
sustainability and investor returns. Many sustainability-oriented projects across industries employ
space-based technologies and services to contribute to sustainability efforts and the Global Goals.
Among others, satellite-based Earth observation, positioning, navigation, and communication
services are used in an array of sectors ranging from monitoring environmental conditions and
changes to supporting search and rescue missions.

MANY SUSTAINABILITY-ORIENTED PROJECTS ACROSS INDUSTRIES EMPLOY

SPACE-BASED TECHNOLOGIES AND SERVICES, TO CONTRIBUTE TO THE
GLOBAL GOALS.

The United Nations recognizes the role of Earth observation and geolocation provided by Global
Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) in supporting the achievement of the SDGs.48 Orbiting in
space, Earth observation satellites equipped with specialized sensors provide data on vast and
remote areas of the Earth, thereby improving our knowledge of the atmosphere, land, oceans,
ice extent, and ecosystems. Geolocation and, in particular, GNSS, is used to incorporate position
information into data and provide location-based services to both humans and machines (e.g.,
drones or self-driving cars). In addition to Earth observation and GNSS that are mentioned
specifically in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, an array of equally important space-
based technologies, such as satellite telecommunications (SatCom), already contribute to several
SDGs and associated Targets.49

Space tech applications, such as satellite technology and space exploration, offer exciting potentials
and new opportunities to assess and address climate change and sustainability on a global scale.
In the coming years, these technologies could enable humankind to have a more powerful global
view of climate data.Those insights, in turn, can help enable the deeper integration of sustainability
considerations into investment decisions. Current research from Morgan Stanley shows that
sustainability may be one of the most prosperous and underappreciated subdomains of the
emerging space economy.50 Space and sustainability efforts are increasingly predicted to align by
way of innovative applications of satellite technology and the many data that space infrastructure
will produce over time.

SATELLITES SUPPORT NUMEROUS VITAL SERVICES ON EARTH (E.G.,

WEATHER FORECASTING, NAVIGATION, COMMUNICATION, ETC.) THAT CAN
ONLY BE MAINTAINED BY ENSURING ORBITAL SUSTAINABILITY.51

From a data perspective, satellite technology and remote sensing introduces real-time, high-
frequency tracking of relevant environmental degradation. Remote sensing via satellites, particularly
on a daily basis, could reduce delays in the collection and analysis of key sustainability data points
that financial markets increasingly rely on.The plethora of data collected from space, and the
associated geospatial analytics, could be the key to reorienting market perspectives on how to
approach sustainable finance in the coming years.

Satellite communications, in particular, are increasingly relevant to global challenges. Benefits of

this tech solution are widespread and span across development sectors. A few examples include
improving people’s lives by helping relief agencies and first responders get information in and out
of disaster zones; reducing illegal fishing and improving safety and livelihood security; and increasing
connectivity to provide better access to health care providers for patients in remote and rural
areas.Tech company Inmarsat, the leading provider of global mobile satellite communications

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 services, delivers solutions for maritime safety and distress.52 Inmarsat aims to help the world
by focusing its business services on the SDGs and addressing the role satellite technology plays
in global progress. As part of the UK Space Agency’s International Partnership Programme, which
co-funds UK-based operators tackling environmental and social challenges in developing countries,
Inmarsat is deploying satellite communications equipment in pilot regions to help maintain
communication in the case of an earthquake or other natural disasters.

Predicting climate patterns is an imported application in space technology for Good. Earth-imaging
technology as a business proposition is gaining traction, and several space tech companies are
employing the tech to capture data for effective strategies to combat imminent environmental
threats. Pixxel, an Indian earth-imaging space technology startup, uses hyperspectral imaging
satellites designed to beam down data in hundreds of wavelengths to detect problems that are
invisible to today’s more traditional satellites (Case 50).This space tech solution is on a mission to
build a health monitor for the planet.

SPACETECH PROGRESSING THE GLOBAL GOALS

The United Nations acknowledges the importance of space-based technologies to be crucial in
understanding climate change and during the full disaster management cycle.53 Not only does space
tech help to address these environmental and social impacts, but it also creates business value and
offers unprecedented opportunities for businesses to do good while also building a competitive
advantage. Space technologies have positive impacts on every single SDG.

The space tech sector adds immense value to life on Earth. Satellites that circle the globe provide
the most accurate weather reports and warn us of impending storms.They monitor our climate
every day by tracking increasing temperature and the effects, such as rising seas and changing
moisture levels, wildfires, and atmospheric conditions.They also connect millions of people and
have the ability to connect billions more who currently lack access in rural areas, help us see and
stop illegal fishing and deforestation, and ensure transparency and security of states by monitoring
and verifying actors’ behaviors. Scientific research that takes place in orbit is helping to push the
frontiers of human understanding of health and material science, robotics, and other technologies.

ZERO HUNGER
Space technologies can be vital in agricultural innovation, modern agriculture,
and precision agriculture.The lower costs of geospatial information technology
facilities have stimulated the adoption of space technologies worldwide, particularly
in developing countries, through initiatives such as Open Data Cube.54 Space-
based technologies offer tools to help in a wide spectrum of agricultural activities, ranging
from monitoring crops, livestock, and forestry to fisheries and aquaculture.55 They are essential
for supporting farmers, fisheries, foresters, and policymakers in the decision-making process
by enabling a timely and effective response to adverse weather conditions, land degradation,
vegetation fires, and disasters triggered by natural phenomena.

Satellite imagery plays a very pertinent role in agriculture and is a vital component of “smart
farming,” which integrates a precision agricultural system using spectral bands that develop
a vegetative index representing crop vigor.WEO, a Luxembourg-based startup, enables
environment management by analyzing earth observation data.The startup utilizes AI-powered
radar along with optical and thermal imaging sensors aboard satellites to build an accurate
map of vital soil characteristics across a broad area at a low cost.56 WEO assists farmers and
the agricultural sector by providing insights into industrial and governmental concerns such as
sustainable agriculture, climate change, water resource management, and soil health.

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66
IN BUSINESS
PIXXEL57
Initiative: Hyperspectral imagery for targeted monitoring
Headquarters: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India

Pixxel is a space data company building a constellation of hyperspectral earth

imaging satellites and the analytical tools to mine insights from that data (SDG 9).
The constellation is designed to provide global coverage every 24 hours. It detects,
monitors, and predicts global phenomena. Hyperspectral imaging (HSI) is a tech-
nique that analyzes a wide spectrum of light instead of just assigning primary colors
(red, green, blue) to each pixel.The collected spectra are used to form an image in
a way that each image pixel includes a complete spectrum. Pixxel’s hyperspectral
imaging satellites are uniquely designed to beam down 50 times more data than
existing multispectral satellites.Through this technology, the satellites enable the
detection and monitoring of ground-level phenomena that had previously remained
unseen.58

The company’s impactful solutions include:

Agriculture – The tech covers large areas daily with up-to-date data across the
entire season to monitor crop health, detect variations, and improve yields (SDGs
1,3).
Environment – Pixxel’s HSI maps and monitors forest cover and deforestation
(SDG 15). Regarding the environment, the satellites measure climate risks such as
flooding and wildfires (SDG 13). By tracking natural capital utilization, Pixxel assess-
es water resources and gives insights based on data for sustainability management
(SDG 6).
Energy – This unique technology is simple, affordable, and precise for energy sur-
veying and extracting (SDG 7). Pixxel’s energy solutions monitor the state of veg-
etation stress near oil and gas pipelines, as well as quantify pollution stress levels
due to pipeline leakages. In 2022, Pixxel raised $25 million to launch this constella-
tion of satellites to monitor a wider view of the electromagnetic spectrum that can
reveal all kinds of details not visible to ordinary cameras. “The quality of our data
is the best — and a bonus is we’re doing it in a much more inexpensive way,” said
Founder and CEO Awais Ahmed.

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 GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING
In recent years, space-based technologies have played a growing role in furthering
global health objectives. Information from remote-sensing technologies is used
to monitor disease patterns, understand environmental triggers for the spread of
diseases, predict risk areas, and define regions that require disease-control planning.
For example, a malaria early warning system based on geospatial data is responsible for 500,000
fewer new cases in 28 countries.59 In addition, the World Health Organization uses digital elevation
models provided by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency to map difficult-to-access areas to
implement efficient measures for infectious diseases, such as polio in Niger.60

Some startups are exploring the potential of space to develop the “factories of the future”
for pharmaceutical products and medicines.There are already two startups focusing on this
aspect - Varda Space and Space Forge.Varda Space is building what it claims to be “the world’s
first commercial zero-gravity industrial park at scale” to produce pharmaceuticals, among other
things.61 Space Forge is planning to launch a pioneering autonomous manufacturing facility that
could produce medicines in orbit.62 They have both raised significant amounts of money despite
being in their early stages of growth ($11 million for Space Forge and $51 million for Varda
Space).63

GENDER EQUALITY
The growth of the space sector encourages women to pursue STEM education and
develop the required skills to access the meaningful employment and the leadership
opportunities it provides.The UN’s Space4Women project helps empower women
in space and STEM by creating an online mentoring platform to network with
experienced “Space4Women Champions.”64 Space4Women provides policy-relevant advice,
knowledge management, and evidence-based awareness raising, research, and data to institutions
and governments to implement programs supporting “space for women” and “women for space.”
The African Astronomical Society established the African Network of Women in Astronomy
(AfNWA) to guarantee female participation at all levels of the new and important developments
within the space industry.65

Anza Capital is a female-led investment firm that is addressing the funding gap for early-stage
businesses with a focus on gender-inclusive tech businesses in Southern Africa.66 The firm aims
to unlock the immense potential of African tech entrepreneurs to create impact and prosperity
on the continent. It is a very inclusive startup fund that targets diverse industry sectors, including
space tech, with a 50% female founder focus.67

CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION

Space tech is leveraged to improve investigations into the global water cycles, map
watercourses, and build early warning systems to mitigate the effects of floods,
landslides, storms, and droughts.The UN partnered with the Prince Sultan bin Abdul
Aziz International Prize for Water (PSIPW) in 2018 to promote the use of space-
based technology for increased access to water.68 This collaboration led to the establishment
of a Space4Water Project, which is a unique online platform that brings together space and
water experts to share knowledge and resources.The project has helped to create an enabling
environment for leveraging space technologies and space-based solutions to improve water
management, monitor SDGs and indicators directly or indirectly linked to water, facilitate improved
water use and water resource sharing globally, and assist in related disaster management.

Satellite-based sensors are able to effectively measure nearly all the direct and indirect
components of the hydrological cycle.These advancements range from spatial resolution to
enhanced opportunities in the data collection of both water quality and availability.69 Not only

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does the tech manage water resources on earth, but it also enables sustainable use of water in
space. Japanese startup Pale Blue provides sustainability in fuel usage by adopting water as the
propellant for space mobility.70 The startup uses patented electron cyclotron resonance technology
to generate water plasma, which is the power source for its satellite thrusters. Pale Blue’s thrusters
provide satellites of many types and sizes with non-toxic, sustainable, and affordable space mobility
solutions to satellite manufacturers.

AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY

Satellites can be used to collect solar energy so that it can be distributed for use
all over the world. Solar power satellites, otherwise known as powersats, orbit the
earth and are designed to capture solar energy and transmit that energy to receiving
stations that are situated thousands of miles from each other on the surface of
the Earth.71 These satellites are made up of a number of modules outfitted with lightweight
photovoltaic solar panels. Additionally, technologies such as solar panels for spacecraft where
solar radiation is enough to power the on-board instruments have applications on Earth where
they have been used to power unmanned facilities. Moreover, the quality of solar energy forecasts
can be improved by 30% using space technology.72 Norwegian startup Solstorm enables hybrid
propulsion.73 Its propulsion system, Magbreak, does not use external engines, propellants, or
internal supply for propulsion.74 It converts energy from solar wind to propel satellites, rockets,
and other space transport. Magbreak deploys and generates a magnetic field by harnessing power
from the ionosphere.The field induces electromagnetic drag that de-orbits and disposes of dead
satellites after their mission is complete.This minimizes space debris and enables a sustained
presence in space.

INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE

Global navigation satellite systems (GNSS) contribute to the construction of
buildings and city infrastructure.The use of GNSS for machine control, for
example, automates construction activities by controlling the blades and buckets of
construction equipment based on information provided by 3D design. It increases the
speed by more than 50% relative to non-automated machines and reduces resource consumption
by 9%.75 Other applications include topographic surveys of construction sites and subsequent
infrastructure monitoring. Satellite technologies are well placed for the delivery of broadband
services in hard-to-reach areas either on their own or in combination with other technologies
and existing infrastructure. Satellite communications can help connect the 49% of the world’s
currently unconnected population and extend the reach of terrestrial networks enabling 5G on a
global scale.76 For example, Bangladesh has recently launched a telecommunications satellite that is
also broadcasting television and radio programs and will soon provide Internet, telemedicine, and
distance-learning facilities for people in remote areas.

There has been a 15-fold growth over a decade in the number of space start-ups, thereby driving
innovative products and services.77 US-based startup Leviathan Space Industries is developing
a space station network.78 The network consists of 14 space stations and uses artificial gravity
to advance space travel, trade, and tourism. In addition, Leviathan leverages a spaceport on the
equatorial line to maximize launch vehicle fuel savings and payload maximization. Its infrastructure
thus enables a sustainable ecosystem for safe and democratic space exploration.

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 SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
Earth Observation and GNSS data support urban mapping and infrastructure
monitoring to help plan and manage city services and structures. Space tech satellite
create smarter, more sustainable cities by optimizing traffic management, reducing
energy consumption, improving urban mobility, and monitoring air pollution. Over 5
billion mobile phones now have satellite chips for mapping, traffic routing, tracking, and logistics.79
The role of space science in urban planning and housing is important. Satellite imagery has
provided a great platform for town planners to analyze and draft plans for appropriate housing.

A pioneering United Kingdom start-up is using satellite technology to transform 3D urban models
for towns and cities, thereby making the urban planning process more accessible, efficient, and
collaborative. Start-up company Digital Urban is elevating 3D digital modeling capabilities with the
help of satellite technology.80 It uses data and optical imagery generated by an Earth observation
satellite to develop a cloud-based platform that provides a more accessible way of developing
and managing interactive 3D urban models. Digital Urban is part of the recently launched north-
west space cluster funded by the UK Space Agency and led by the Science and Technology
Facilities Council’s Daresbury Laboratory.81 This major multi-partner project was set up to enable
northwest businesses to play a more significant role in the rapidly expanding multi-billion-pound
United Kingdom space sector.82

RESPONSIBLE CONSUMPTION AND PRODUCTION

Earth observation is an essential tool for managing natural resources and the
environment. It is highly relevant for both achieving the Goals and monitoring
progress.83 This space tech solution provides information to support agricultural
production, fisheries, freshwater, and forestry management and can also help monitor
activities harmful to the environment such as fires, illegal logging, mining, and poaching. In space,
there are several applications that address responsible consumption and production. For example,
93% of the water onboard the International Space Station is reclaimed.84 Also, currently 40% of
the oxygen in the International Space Station is recycled, but NASA is researching technologies
to increase that rate to 75%. Asteroid mining to extract minerals such as platinum, gold, iron, or
even water by private individuals and companies is also on the rise through advancements in space
cameras and satellites that assist in identifying the precise location of asteroids.The economic
incentive for space mining is vast and it is predicted to potentially translate into a billion-dollar
industry.There has already been an 80% reduction in the manufacturing cost of satellites since
2013.85

Australian mining startup High Earth Orbit Robotics combines intelligent control with space-based
cameras to acquire high-quality imagery of satellites, space debris, and resource-rich asteroids.86
This imagery is then useful for locating and observing asteroids for sustainable mining.The startup
builds small satellites that operate in high-earth orbit to observe celestial bodies.Totum Labs, the
satellite connectivity startup, developed a novel Doppler Multichannel Spread Spectrum.This space
tech solution introduced a global tracking chip that can monitor anything anywhere in the world,
both indoors and outdoors.With a combination of worldwide satellite reach and indoor coverage,
Totum offers a unique connectivity option for supply-chain monitoring, transportation, agriculture,
and other markets.87

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 CLIMATE ACTION
Climate action is addressed by companies and governments that use satellites
and spectroscopy for greenhouse-gas monitoring.They monitor emissions data,
thereby helping to detect CO2 emissions and natural-gas leaks from a range of
sources including oil wells, landfills, industrial operations, and farms. In response
to climate change challenges, the UN is working with key partners from the space, earth
observation, civil protection communities, and regional and international organizations to launch
the Global Partnership using space-based technology applications for disaster risk reduction.88
This partnership, entitled GP-STAR, aims to promote the adoption of space-based technology
applications including Earth observation, global navigation satellite systems, and satellite
telecommunications for Disaster Risk Reduction in accordance with the Sendai Framework for
Disaster Risk Reduction. By strengthening existing mechanisms and expanding the use of Earth
Observation and relevant space-based technologies at all levels, GP-STAR will contribute to a
better integrated and wider use of such technologies in disaster risk reduction worldwide. Over
99% of accurate weather forecasts come from space technologies in outer space, and over 50% of
essential climate variables can only be measured from space.89

Canadian company GHGSat states that it operates the world’s only fleet of satellites that can
detect greenhouse gas emissions from space and determine the exact facility from which the
emissions have leaked.90 In 2021, GHGSat detected large methane leaks from landfills in Dhaka,
Bangladesh, and Madrid and eight natural gas pipelines in Turkmenistan. Subsequently, the Canadian
government announced that it would be contributing the first high-resolution satellite dataset
to the International Methane Emissions Observatory based on GHGSat’s findings.The climate-
focused company currently has three satellites in orbit and plans to have a fleet of ten commercial
satellites in space by the end of 2022.91 Over 99% of accurate weather forecasts come from space
technologies in outer space, and over 50% of essential climate variables can only be measured from
space.92

LIFE BELOW WATER

Advanced GNSS is used to monitor compliance with fishery regulations and the
effect of protection policies (such as fishery or navigation limitations) on the marine
environment. Focusing on improved productivity, Earth observation satellites collect
data on different parameters to help identify the most productive areas, thereby
allowing for more effective catches. Regarding the detection of illegal fishing, Earth observation
satellites can be used to identify illegal fishing activities with high accuracy through radar imagery.93
These data provide critical information to the fishing authorities about the location, speed, and
course of fishing vessels operating, therefore allowing authorities to detect and track movement
and activity in restricted fishing grounds. Satellites help stop illegal logging, fishing, and wildlife trade
that accounts for over $73 billion per year.94

New Zealand-based space technology start-up Xerra Earth Observation Institute launched
its Starboard Maritime Intelligence in mid-2021 and has recently secured its first international
contract with the Australian Fisheries Management Authority.95 Starboard’s space tech solution
targets fishing in regions of Australian intelligence interest. Specifically, the initiative uses satellite
data and advanced analytics models to track vessel behaviors, including identifying when vessels are
fishing or when vessels meet at sea to transport fish, fuel, crew, or supplies.The tech is reducing
the time users spend on data collection and enabling them to share their expertise more readily,
thereby making compliance and inspection activity more effective. Starboard supports governments,
border security teams, NGOs, and fishery organizations to navigate the vast amounts of maritime
data available from satellite sensors – including around 35 million ship positions every day – and to
focus on the vessels that matter to them.96

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 ZERO HUNGER
ƒ Optimize crop productivity through an informed management
process and increase efficiency in the use of existing resources.
ƒ Improve livestock management through enhanced monitoring
and identification of suitable grazing.

GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

ƒ Study disease epidemiology by enabling
increased use of spatial analysis to GENDER EQUALITY
identify ecological, environmental, and ƒ Allow access to quality education
other factors that contribute to the even in remote and isolated
spread of diseases. communities.
ƒ Monitor factors that affect human ƒ Support female entrepreneurship
health and wellbeing like air quality and through access to training,
traffic. information, and safety in the work
environment.
ƒ Offer career development
opportunities, specifically within
STEM.

CLEAN WATER AND

SANITATION
ƒ Integrate GIS and remote
sensing for evaluating, managing,
and monitoring water AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN
resources. ENERGY
ƒ Address water infrastructure ƒ Provide infrastructure
challenges using Earth monitoring, particularly with
observation satellite data. regards to energy networks.
ƒ Utilize water as fuel for ƒ Facilitate power grid
spacecraft and other space tech synchronization, seismic
innovations. surveying, and other space
monitoring for energy
production purposes.
ƒ Identify optimal sites to produce
renewable energy; solar and
wind energy production
forecasting to estimate the
energy needed from other
sources.

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 INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND INFRASTRUCTURE
ƒ Augment satellite-based infrastructure mapping and monitoring,
including maintenance of road infrastructure in rural environments.
ƒ Enhance construction surveying on Earth through machine automation;
build advanced telecommunications networks with space tech-enabled
systems.

RESPONSIBLE
SUSTAINABLE CITIES CONSUMPTION AND
AND COMMUNITIES
ƒ Pinpoint structures
SPACETECH PRODUCTION
ƒ Manage natural
and reference points resources, food, and
for urban planning dangerous goods
purposes via space tech traceability through
applications. satellite imaging.
ƒ Apply GNSS, ƒ Monitor smart
Earth observation, agriculture by
and satellite combining Earth
telecommunications for observation, satellite
smart cities. telecommunications,
ƒ Improve city services and GNSS.
such as smart waste
management systems,
quality monitoring,
disaster management,
infrastructure
monitoring, and search
and rescue operations.
LIFE BELOW WATER
ƒ Map and monitor natural and
protected aquatic areas, including
fishing vessel tracking and
navigation.
ƒ Trace fishery products (endangered
species, exploitation of fishery
resources); assess and monitor
CLIMATE ACTION marine and coastal resources
ƒ Monitor climate change through space
through satellite imaging.
tech-enabled weather forecasting.
ƒ Monitor climate change impacts via
ƒ Manage disasters and global warming
remote sensing, particularly water
effects by detecting greenhouse gas
temperature.
emissions from space.

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 ENHANCING BUSINESS MODELS
Beyond exploration, space tech enables commercial and governmental endeavors conducted in
space, from communications to scientific experiments.This technology, and its numerous systems,
have far-reaching business applications with a profound impact on our daily lives. Examples include
meteorological satellites that allow scientists to predict and track global weather patterns and
geolocation technologies that are embedded in almost all our electronics.The democratization
of space is a growing phenomenon involving the introduction of new actors and business
opportunities.Today, space is the ecosystem providing a background for countless enterprising
ideas and business startups. Companies of all sizes are using outer space to do business on Earth,
as it enables them to offer new services or generate key data for processing and commercialization
purposes.

Space tech activities have undoubtedly enlarged our economic sphere, which now extends into
space, including the low Earth orbit up to geostationary distances. Recently private initiatives
have been launched to extend the economic sphere even further, reaching to the Moon,
asteroids, and all the way to Mars.This relies on space exploration which drives the development
of new technologies and capabilities (e.g., heavy-lift launchers, human and robotic servicing,
and autonomous space operations).97 By developing reliable space exploration systems that
incorporate human decision making, troubleshooting, and flexibility, possibilities are created for
enhancing the economic development of space driven by private sector investments (e.g., new
means to service in space infrastructure for applications and science purposes).

“INVESTMENT IN SPACE BASED ENDEAVORS IS BECOMING SUFFICIENTLY

ATTRACTIVE TO PRIVATE ENTREPRENEURS.”98

Space tech includes a broad range of activities in low orbit, high orbit, and outer space and is
seen as essential to unlocking new growth in wireless telecommunications, autonomous mobility,
commercial space exploration, and national defense.99 The space economy is highly diverse, and the
number of companies developing technology in support of space exploration, commercialization,
habitation, and defense is growing. Businesses whose specialization is space technology are
receiving more late-stage venture capital and increasingly going public, while those existing and
established entities in the aerospace and defense industry are simultaneously making significant
investments in space tech.100

Long-term strategists look to space for population expansion and risk mitigation. A human
presence in space, on the moon and then on Mars, is built into NASA’s current priorities. Private
sector businesses are working to enable humans to live in space. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk stated
in 2020 that he is “highly confident” that humans will land on Mars by 2026.101 While permanent
human habitation in space may seem a distant future, the pace of space tech advancement is a
rapidly accelerating business. Companies such as SpaceX are developing reusable launch vehicles to
further reduce the cost of launching rockets into space. Not only is this expanding the commercial
space tech sector by making space travel more accessible, but it is also creating new business
models across industries.

The space industry is utilizing several advanced and emerging technologies - including 5G, satellite
systems, 3D printing, AI and big data, blockchain, robotics, and quantum computing - to advance
and scale operations in space. Many services, such as weather forecasting, remote sensing, GPS
navigation, satellite television, and long-distance communication, rely on space infrastructure.
As we look farther away from planet Earth, space tech trends such as smart propulsion, space
robotics, and space traffic management are also gaining traction in the space industry. Together
with increasing government and private investment in the industry, businesses and startups are
developing technologies to ease movement, operations, and communications between earth and
space.
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IN BUSINESS
SPEQTRAL102
Initiative: Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) SpeQtral-1 satellite mission in space
Headquarters: Singapore
Case applied in: Singapore, Space

SpeQtral is an emerging leader in quantum-secure communication systems.The

company’s mission is to deliver tamper-proof and computationally uncrackable
encryption keys within and across global communications networks, thereby secur-
ing data against present and future threats brought on by advances in computing
(SDGs 10,12,16). Specifically, SpeQtral is reinventing cryptography for the quantum
age by using satellites in low earth orbit to secure data networks across the globe.
SpeQtral’s QKD technology solution is an important element in building global
quantum-secure communication networks. QKD uses quantum physics, as opposed
to current mathematically based encryption technologies, to distribute symmetric
encryption keys that can be used to secure communication networks.The SpeQ-
tral-1 satellite is expected to be launched in 2024 and is projected to be one of
the first few QKD satellite missions to be launched by a commercial entity. It will
demonstrate the technological feasibility of intercontinental communications deliv-
ery with a focus on addressing the practical commercial requirements of end-users
(SDGs 9,11).103 SpeQtral will work with local and international partners in exe-
cuting the vision to realize global QKD (SDG 17).These partnerships include the
Centre for Quantum Technologies at the National University of Singapore and the
European Space Agency, with the participation of a consortium of European entities
in establishing a Singapore-Europe QKD link.

307
 Startups and scaleups are quickly emerging onto the space tech business scene with new ideas
and applications.These tech innovators are building small satellites like CubeSats and NanoSats
to reduce launching costs.104 Fast and secure communications using satellites incorporate
advancements in hardware like antennae, transmitters, and receivers.With an expected growth in
space traffic, startups are creating feasible solutions for space travel and traffic management, as
well as junk and debris removal. Space tech business models generally focus on the future of space
business and digital transformation for space business.105

SPACEX CEO ELON MUSK STATED IN 2020 THAT HE IS “HIGHLY CONFIDENT”

THAT HUMANS WILL LAND ON MARS BY 2026.106

Quantum space data science is one aspect of the tech that holds the promise of disrupting
digital communications markets by operating computing functions millions of times faster than
conventional computers. Distributed quantum sensors, those that are capable of obtaining highly
sensitive and accurate gravity measurements, may lead to new understandings of Earth and our
place in the universe by measuring minute changes in gravity.107 In order for quantum computers
or quantum sensors to communicate, however, they will require a dedicated communications
network. Advances in quantum technologies are giving rise to a revolution in future disruptive
technological applications of quantum physics.The space-based environment may open many new
avenues for exploring and employing quantum physics and technologies.108

Recently, space tech players of all sizes are participating in the realm of quantum communications
as a business model. As NASA launches more frequent and complex missions into space, managing
communications with the growing number of spacecrafts is becoming increasingly challenging.
Microsoft’s Azure Quantum team has partnered with NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory to develop
a system to communicate more efficiently with spacecrafts.109 SpeQtral, a Singapore-based
company in quantum-secure communication systems, is an innovative space tech company that is
designing and manufacturing satellite-based quantum communication systems (Case 67).

Also emerging in business is the connection between space tech and blockchain.The ways these
industries could connect and integrate with each other are numerous, starting with the tokenizing
of space assets, supply chain applications, and many others like security, data, financing, and
sustainability issues.110 As blockchain moves into outer space, its ability to tokenize spacecraft
and payloads could help in large upcoming space projects such as the international, collaborative
Gateway space station NASA wants to build in lunar orbit.111 The application of blockchain in
space is a growing trend and the leaders in the industry are represented by a fairly limited number
of companies. Blockchain offers possibilities for space tech innovations to further optimize and
improve the industry, with several cases of space tech companies applying blockchain technology as
a sustainability measure.

Blockchain can be used effectively along with geospatial technologies in IoT applications. As
technologies and data collection and processing become more complicated, blockchain provides
a secure way to collect and process geospatial and satellite data. XYO Network is the world’s
first blockchain geospatial network backed with cryptography that anonymously collects and
validates data with a geographic component. XYO calls itself the Reality Oracle, a technology
protocol designed to improve the validity, certainty, and value of data. It is seeking to build a data
marketplace that gives users more control and understanding of any apps, websites, and blockchain
technologies that rely on trusted data.

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IN BUSINESS
XYO112
Initiative:World’s first Reality Oracle
Headquarters: San Diego, California USA
Case applied in: California, USA

XYO calls itself the world’s first Reality Oracle, which empowers people to partic-
ipate in the global data economy through the validation of anonymous and secure
geospatial data. XYO harnesses the power of data to address real-world challenges
in various scenarios that help businesses gain competitive advantage and consum-
ers make smart spending choices (SDGs 10,12). XYO’s parent company XY Labs
provides a connection between the real and digital worlds through blockchain, IoT,
and data-focused products that the business leverages to “make human lives easier”
(SDG 3,11).113 For example, the company’s COIN App empowers its over three
million users to be rewarded for validating geospatial location and other data.114

XYO, the link between hyper location and blockchain, is a decentralized network of
devices anonymously collecting and validating data associated with geography, tem-
perature, humidity, and even speed, among other components.While the nature of
geospatial data has been historically complex and cumbersome to leverage, XYO’s
advancements in the area, along with industry collaborations, are allowing com-
mercial enterprises to tap into and harness this information in new and innovative
ways (SDGs 8,9). Markus Levin, the Co-Founder of XYO Network, articulates, “We
believe most people don’t fully understand the power and value of the data they
generate every single day. XYO educates users about that power by encouraging
them to harness it.”115

XYO is partnering with HERE Technologies, a location solutions company.116 As

leaders in location technology, the collaboration represents an opportunity to
expand the availability of secure, verified geospatial data and to bridge real-world
location data with blockchain-based smart contracts (SDG 17).

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 GLOBAL GOALS’ GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES
Space tech businesses focused on sustainable growth, those both more established and in the
startup phase, seek to provide value to the environment and humanity.Today, as commercialization
for space tech grows with players like Blue Origin and SpaceX sending people beyond Earth’s
atmosphere, this next frontier is part of a new generation of entrepreneurs who see space
sustainability as a necessity of existence. Meanwhile, legacy space and satellite enterprises have
recommitted their business models to sustainability through both investments and innovations in
the areas of space debris removal, space situational awareness, and space traffic management.These
range from the development of Northrop Grumman’s Mission Extension Vehicles (MEV),117 which
have provided refueling services for Intelsat GEO satellites, to the endeavors of communications
leaders like OneWeb,118 which installed Astroscale’s next-generation ferromagnetic docking plate
to its satellites to enable more efficient servicing.

Meanwhile, space tech applications here on Earth are presenting exciting growth opportunities as
well.There are many aspects behind the anticipated geospatial industry growth. Governments use
GIS for city planning and public health initiatives, while companies utilize spatial tools to evaluate
demographics and markets. Further, the evolution of geospatial technology is fueling GIS business
opportunities and making new careers possible. Fresh approaches to spatial problem-solving have
emerged out of innovations such as LiDAR and cloud storage. Space tech startups and innovative
companies are employing sustainable business models, while at the same time addressing multiple
sectors and aspects of the industry. Alén Space is a tech startup developing space infrastructure
in a small-scale size (Case 69). Not only does the company manage data through nanosatellite
technology, but it also expands its business proposition and provides value in the forms of
connectivity, asset tracking, and educational services.

Space tech is a growing market with expanding business applications. Below are five areas for
industry growth opportunities being explored including climate monitoring and energy, space
connectivity and data, sustainable infrastructure and transportation, collision avoidance and debris
management, and agriculture, education, and equality.

CLIMATE MONITORING AND ENERGY

While space-related technologies cover activities related to space exploration, that is, looking
beyond the Earth to understand other planets and systems, a large part of space operations
is dedicated to the study, monitoring, and understanding of our own planet for the benefit of
its citizens. Satellites, as well as ground-based, airborne, and seaborne sensors provide real-
time measurements and information to service providers, public authorities, and organizations
to improve people’s quality of life. One of the main applications of this information is climate
change.119 Information from Earth observation satellites in space can help manage climate impacts
in several ways, from improving agricultural yields to mitigating environmental disasters.There are
currently more than 160 satellites measuring different global warming indicators, with more than
half of essential climate variables only measurable from space.120

Deep reductions in carbon dioxide emissions remain critical over the long term. But methane
emissions from fossil fuel operations, livestock production, and other industries are responsible
for more than 30% of the current temperature rise.121 Cutting these emissions will significantly
help curb climate change.Therefore, tracking these invisible emissions is imperative. MethaneSAT, a
compact new satellite being built by the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF), is specifically designed
to locate, measure, and track reductions in methane emissions anywhere on Earth with greater

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IN BUSINESS
ALÉN SPACE122
Initiative: Small satellites for the new space
Headquarters: Galicia, Spain

Alén Space specializes in sustainable solutions for space business.The company

capitalizes on the new opportunities that arise every day in the space tech business.
Alén Space, with experience in the design, manufacture, and operation of small
satellites, assists enterprises in putting their projects in orbit (SDG 17). Core busi-
ness services include IoT communication with sensors located in remote areas and
real-time data delivery machine-to-machine; asset tracking and geolocation of any
kind of asset (ship, plane, vehicle) out of terrestrial systems range; earth observa-
tion capturing of images for mining, agriculture, industry, as well as for the envi-
ronment, security, and climate purposes; and spectrum monitoring the location of
emissions from the Earth and space by third parties and electromagnetic spectrum
analysis (SDGs 9,11,12).

In 2021, two space tech products were developed for sustainable business, includ-
ing:123 1) Sateliot – the launch of a constellation of nanosatellites to democratize
IoT with 5G coverage. Its future constellation of up to 100 nanosatellites is sched-
uled to start offering commercial service in 2023 (SDG 10). 2) Alfa Crux - a team
of students from the University of Brasilia participated in a complete CubeSat-type
mission that will allow experiments to be carried out in the communications field
and study the effects of the space weather on satellite communications in equatori-
al latitudes (SDGs 4,13).

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DAWN AEROSPACE124
Initiative: Orbit Fab space refueling stations
Headquarters: Canterbury, New Zealand

Dawn Aerospace builds same-day reusable launch vehicles and high-performance,

non-toxic propulsion systems for satellites of all sizes (SDGs 7,13).The startup’s
SmallSat Propulsion Thruster replaces poisonous gases with safer nitrous oxide and
propane (SDGs 9,12). For CubeSats, it significantly improves performance com-
pared to electric-based propulsion systems with the same propellants. Orbit Fab,
a Californian company offering a refueling service in space, and Dawn Aerospace
collaborated to make on-orbit refueling stations available to satellites utilizing
nitrous oxide and propylene (SDG 17).These gas stations in space offered by Orbit
Fab help extend the life of spacecraft by equipping them with on-orbit refueling.
Spacecraft can now make frequent orbit and altitude changes with cleaner fuel and
without a problem.

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 precision than any other satellite.125 The oil and gas industry is a leading source of methane
emissions. From remote wellheads to gas utility lines, companies release at least 75 million metric
tons a year — enough gas to produce electricity for all of Africa twice over.126

METHANE EMISSIONS FROM FOSSIL FUEL OPERATIONS, LIVESTOCK

PRODUCTION, AND OTHER INDUSTRIES ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MORE THAN
30% OF THE CURRENT TEMPERATURE RISE.127

Copernicus is the European Union’s Earth observation program providing indicators and services
related to atmospheric quality, land, and marine monitoring, climate change, and emergency service
(including natural disasters).128 The climate data gathered by the program’s satellites and sensors
can be used across many end-user sectors such as urban planning, agriculture, forestry, and marine.
Space4Good is another progressive entity monitoring climate impacts through air pollution and,
in particular, nitrogen dioxide (NO2).129 In a joint effort with the World Bank Group, the initiative
uses NO2 emissions data to assess socioeconomic developments.The NO2 monitoring platform is
a new satellite mission that provides economists and decision-makers with an alternative big data
source to observe changes in socio-economic activities as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sentinel-5P can detect tropospheric NO2 using its TROPOspheric Monitoring Instrument.130 The
high resolution enables analysis on a regional, national, and sub-national scale with monitoring in
Indonesia,Vietnam, and selected MENA cities.

SPACE CONNECTIVITY AND DATA

Satellite data can help monitor the global supply chain including mining, ground transport, shipping,
and port activity, as well as activities that create demand such as building demolitions and
construction. Providing Internet access for billions of people is also part of Earth’s connectivity
that happens in space.The deployment of satellite constellations could bring web access via
orbital Internet to billions more people who live in regions where installing traditional internet
access infrastructure is uneconomical or unfeasible.131 A UN study found that 52% of the world’s
population still lacks access to the Internet, and 90% of those people are from developing
countries.132 Research has shown that access to Internet use could mean up to a 2.5% difference
in a country’s GDP. 133

A UN STUDY FOUND THAT 52% OF THE WORLD’S POPULATION STILL LACKS

ACCESS TO THE INTERNET, AND 90% OF THOSE ARE FROM DEVELOPING
COUNTRIES.134

Collecting and managing data is also a major component of space connectivity. LEO satellites and
multi-satellite constellations are increasingly in use for communication, spying, earth monitoring,
and other imaging applications.With large volumes of data from these satellites, there is a need to
process, treat, analyze, and manage the information. Startups connect with space tech data using
AI, blockchain, and big data to offer secure data solutions for the space industry. Luxembourg-
based startup Kleos Space delivers its data products via application programming interfaces that
adhere to customers’ requirements.135 The first Kleos Space satellite system, known as Kleos
Scouting Mission, launched in 2020 and currently delivers commercially available data.The Scouting
Mission targets daily geolocation services with a full constellation, giving nearly real-time global
observation.136

SUSTAINABLE INFRASTRUCTURE AND TRANSPORTATION

In terms of sustainable transportation use in the orbital realm, space tech companies are

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creating green and sustainable business services. In the case of typical air transportation, the
growth expectations are around 4% annually over the next two decades. But in the design of
aerospace vehicles, including developing new structures, energy conversion materials, or fuel types,
growth potential is estimated at 10 or 20% per annum.137 These sub-sectors are mainly driven
by the environmental aspects of aviation - the need to reduce carbon footprint and make air
transportation much more efficient while keeping the costs in check.

In-space propulsion is another important transport subsystem for satellite constellations. Given the
costs and environmental impacts that come with space missions, companies seek ways to ensure
the sustainability of these missions. Hence, global startups and scaleups develop several solutions
ranging from electric, green, and water-based propulsion to iodine-based propulsion systems in
order to enable the next generation of clean rockets in space. Spacecraft propulsion is any device
that is used to propel and accelerate spacecraft and satellites. In-space propulsion directly refers
to transport systems used in the vacuum of space. Space traffic management is highly relevant to
businesses and often an overlooked capability required for successful space tech commercialization.
Although space gives the perception of being infinitely vast, the orbital space around the Earth is
becoming increasingly crowded.

Orbital congestion is particularly concerning given the thousands of satellite companies and
governments are looking to deploy, which could more than triple within the decade.138 There are
already nearly 2,000 active satellites in orbit and thousands more that are inactive.139 Companies
like Houston-based startup Cognitive Space are working to solve this space congestion problem.140
Similar to what many companies are aiming to do for road vehicle traffic here on Earth, Cognitive
Space is developing an AI-driven control system that will automate satellite operations, alleviating
the need for people to monitor and manage each individual satellite. By increasing the intelligence
of each satellite, the company hopes to eliminate the largely manual processes satellite operators
rely on today while making space a safer, more efficient, and more manageable place for the people
and technology in orbit.

THE USE OF INFLATABLE HABITATS HAS THE POTENTIAL TO GREATLY

ACCELERATE THE COMMERCIALIZATION OF SPACE BY ENABLING LARGER
STRUCTURES TO BE DEPLOYED MORE RAPIDLY.141

Another company developing infrastructure systems for space is Bigelow Aerospace.142 Founded
by billionaire hotel developer Robert Bigelow in 1999, the company attracted widespread attention
in 2016 when it launched its expandable activity module, an inflatable habitat that’s significantly
easier and more cost-effective to transport than traditional fixed modules.143 In 2018, Bigelow
announced the creation of Bigelow Space Operations to develop a private space station built
around its expandable module technology.144 The use of inflatable habitats has the potential to
greatly accelerate the commercialization of space by enabling larger structures to be deployed
more rapidly.145 This has several benefits to the business model, ultimately making living in space
more accessible and more affordable for all: lower costs, quicker deployment, and more flexibility.

COLLISION AVOIDANCE AND DEBRIS MANAGEMENT

Of all the man-made LEO satellites, a vast majority of them are now space debris.This includes
rocket thrusters, unused satellites, and most of all, tiny fragments of debris from collisions and
explosions. In total, there are around 800,000 pieces of space debris traveling around at speeds
of thousands of kilometers per hour.146 All of this debris can be dangerous for orbital movement,
threatening the future of space exploration and travel. Large quantities of space junk end up staying
in various orbits around Earth and pose a danger to satellites, the International Space Station, and
for future missions beyond Earth’s vicinity – to asteroids, the Moon, and Mars. Debris can be parts

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 of old satellites, from paint chips to bolts to larger sections and entire defunct satellites; it can also
include old rocket bodies, the sections of rockets that do not fall back to Earth after a rocket’s
launch.The total known number of debris pieces larger than a marble counts more than half a
million, and the unknown are likely in the millions. After around 60 years of space activity, the total
mass of debris is more than 7,500 tons.147

THERE ARE AROUND 800,000 PIECES OF SPACE DEBRIS TRAVELING AROUND

AT SPEEDS OF THOUSANDS OF KILOMETERS PER HOUR.148

The serious danger occurs when objects in orbit are moving at fast speeds of 28,000 km/h – the
speed required by the laws of physics for objects to stay in orbit and not fall back to the ground.
At that speed, even a small bolt could destroy an entire satellite or even endanger the entire Space
Station.149 The most polluted orbits, in general, are considered to be those between 200 to 2000
kilometers above Earth (LEO) and the 36,000-kilometer orbit (Geosynchronous). Out-of-control
space junk in LEO orbit – known as the Kessler Syndrome – is a serious and ever-growing threat.
To tackle this situation, startups are developing feasible solutions for debris retrieval and space
traffic management.The Japanese startup Astroscale is the industry leader in orbital sustainability
work (Case 71).

Space debris monitoring and removal is a nearly $1 billion market with characteristics that present
several unique challenges. Elements of this space tech business sector include the development of
particularly robust solutions for rendezvous, proximity operations, and robotic capture that form
a solid foundation for addressing a wide variety of services in the future for both government
and commercial customers. OrbitGuardians is a US-based commercial provider of active debris
removal services.150 The startup aims to protect space workers, tourists, and operating satellites by
actively removing dangerous space debris smaller than twenty centimeters. By utilizing computer
vision, AI, and IoT, OrbitGuardians enables low-cost debris removal by acquiring all the available
debris parameters like location, size, and the number of debris chunks.

SPACE DEBRIS MONITORING AND REMOVAL IS A NEARLY $1 BILLION

MARKET.151

For a sustainable space environment, collision avoidance with space debris is a priority for the
World Economic Forum.152 It is therefore, German startup OKAPI:Orbits is enabling space
loose particle and junk management through its AI solution.The startup’s risk monitoring and
automated collision avoidance software equip satellites with neural networks that learn from
a catalog of space objects.153 This cloud-based service optimizes risk reduction maneuvers and
fuel consumption.The startup also meets the mission-specific needs of small and large satellite
operators through its flexible modules and standardized interfaces.These include environmental
visualization, maneuver designing, orbit propagation, and determination as well as predicting ground
station pass and orbital re-entry.

AGRICULTURE, EDUCATION, AND EQUALITY

There are many potential benefits emerging from space tech. Food security, for instance, could
be proliferated through observation from satellites to help monitor illegal fishing, improve
the traceability of products, and support predictive models for food supply around the globe.
Combining imagery with weather, temperature, or air pressure could optimize agricultural yields
and help farmers improve efficiency. Space technologies can continue to ensure access to safe,
nutritious, and sufficient food year-round through precision agriculture and crop monitoring for
food security.154

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IN BUSINESS
ASTROSCALE155
Initiative: Cleaning up space
Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan

Astroscale is a Japanese startup specializing in cleaning up space.The company

showcased a new universal docking device in November 2021. It was built to attach
to satellites to help them be captured at the end of their missions, so they do not
remain in space as debris (SDGs 9,12).The device, designed with the goal of being
used by all satellites in LEO, includes a standardized interface that can operate
with both magnetic and robotic capture mechanisms (SDGs 10,16). Astroscale’s
new technology is an expansion of its innovative End-of-Life Services for satellites,
which completed a successful demonstration of satellite-capture technology in
August 2021.

The UK Space Agency (UKSA) has shortlisted satellite groups led by Astroscale for
a mission to remove two spacecraft from LEO in 2026 (SDG 17).156 The new dock-
ing device is currently undergoing testing in LEO. Astroscale has raised more than
$300 million, including $109 million in a round of funding in November 2021.157

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 Hummingbird Technologies is a global leader in remote sensing, artificial intelligence, machine
learning, and data analytics for agriculture.158 The company is headquartered in London, with
satellite offices in São Paulo, Sydney, Lviv, and Moscow.159 Hummingbird’s mission is to improve
the sustainability of global food production. As well as using precision agronomy tools to facilitate
sustainable management decisions, Hummingbird’s remote sensing monitoring capabilities allow
users to monitor, verify, and report on-farm sustainability practices and outcomes. Satellite-
enabled remote sensing offers a scalable and reliable approach to detecting key metrics, including
regenerative agriculture principles such as no-till, cover crops, and crop rotations.

Education and equality are becoming increasingly important in space tech. Giving communities
and people access to knowledge and business opportunities in the space sector is vital for
sustainable global economic growth. Space Technology Education Popularization (STEP), a startup
of the Institute of Space Technology in Islamabad, is a space science and technology awareness
firm providing services for the popularization of space science and technology through events,
workshops, training, activities, seminars, webinars, conferences, e-learning, online courses,
publications, knowledge-based contests and themed vocational schools.160

Along the space tech education value chain is the Space and Earth observation program EIT
Climate-KIC, which is working on upskilling and reskilling students, young graduates, and
professionals.161 The agency partners with specialists from the Earth observation and geographic
information field, renowned universities, successful businesses, and far-reaching associations
and networks to bridge the gap between the supply and demand of Earth Observation and
geoinformation skills in the EO4GEO project.162

ADDRESSING RISKS AND CHALLENGES ON THE ROAD AHEAD

The space industry is dynamic and ever-changing. It has many challenges, which are both technical
and regulatory. Space exploration has been a topic of interest for many countries in recent
years. However, the technologies used in these missions are often costly and difficult to maintain.
Moreover, space technology is highly complex and has proven to be a challenge in terms of
maintenance and usage. Not only does it involve considerable financial costs, but it also involves
the risk of life if something goes wrong.

The high failure rate of space tech missions is another challenge facing the space industry. For
example, satellites used to provide communication services are very complex and are susceptible
to faults and breakdowns due to natural and human related causes. Although governments regulate
many aspects of space activities, including the launch of satellites, the use of space technologies, and
access to outer space, different space-related agencies also enforce these regulations.This causes
increased confusion, project delays, and failures in systems. Besides this, there are also regulations
relating to the use of space resources, spaceflight safety, and space debris.

SPACE EXPLORATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE ENVIRONMENT MUST BE

CONSIDERED.

Another significant challenge of space exploration is its impact on the environment. For example,
the use of high-powered rockets to launch satellites creates significant amounts of dust which
pollutes the Earth’s atmosphere. Space activities are also responsible for the creation of space
debris which can cause severe damage to the Earth’s orbit. Many risk factors make space
exploration difficult including space-related risks such as orbital decay, space weather, radiation, and
debris.163 Other risks include technical risks, such as failure and malfunctions, as well as political
risks, such as conflict or environmental factors.

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 LET’S

IMAGINE
We have imagined traveling back to Earth from space. From our seat on the SpaceX
Starship, the blue patches of water we left behind grow near again. Africa’s water crisis looks
less bleak upon our return.While on our journey to space, we came into contact with
satellite-based sensors that effectively measured nearly all the direct and indirect
components of the hydrological cycle.The data we extracted from the CubeSats provided
valuable information on how to manage the water shortage. Looking out from the
International Space Station, we could see the satellites that manage the Earth’s
communications sprinkled throughout the expanse of outer space.

We have imagined how other advanced technologies, such as blockchain and 3D printing,
can be applied to space-specific innovations. Space technologies have far-reaching Tech for
Good applications.We have only just begun to imagine all the possibilities space has to
offer.

We have imagined SpaceTech for Good.

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 10
SCALING
TECH FOR GOOD

#TECHFORGOOD IS MUCH MORE

THAN A HASHTAG.
IT IS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT.

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 WE ONLY NEED TO

IMAGINE
Imagine a journey through the technological landscape. Once a mere imaginal concept associated
with far-off notions of large inaccessible machines, technology now constantly surrounds us and
is no longer out of reach. Although our tech world takes on many shapes and forms,Tech for
Good serves as a pathway forward. Engaging with the #TechforGood movement and driving the
conversation is the solution we need to solve our global challenges.When we dare to imagine our
collective objective, technology will surely address it.

Envision a world in which technology helps restore our biodiversity. Let’s imagine tech solutions
protecting the environment, such as the Spatial Planning for Area Conservation in Response to
Climate Change (SPARC) SpaceTech tool.This tool uses supercomputers and GIS-based mapping
to build a global picture of the migration of all known plants, birds, and mammals in response to
climate change.1 Imagine homes where people with progressive memory loss caused by dementia
would benefit greatly from effcient, cost-effective, tech-based strategies like 6G communications
and AI-empowered health solutions to help bridge cognitive gaps.2

Imagine if the billions of people who rely on a healthy marine ecosystem for their food and
livelihoods could farm fresh fish sustainably.With micro-bubble aeration technology that boosts
oxygen levels in water and increases the productivity of seafood, this tech innovation is brought to
life.3 Imagine a healthcare system that prescribes medicines tailored specifically to you and your
genome, thereby transforming how we diagnose, prevent, and treat disease.4

These ideas are no longer simply fantasies, but are technological possibilities well within our grasp.
Just as we see these first signs of our imagination becoming reality, this is when we need to dream
even bigger.

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Envisioning a new reality, and bringing what we imagine to life, requires leveraging tech innovations
at scale.We must take it upon ourselves to apply Tech for Good, thereby embarking on the journey
together, with decisive action, so that #TechforGood grows into an impactful global movement.

Tech for Good aims to inspire and inform sustainably minded businesses.With a purpose-driven
approach to the way we deploy technologies, business will undoubtedly play a crucial role in
realizing the 4IR’s enormous potential to help address our Global Goals. Currently, we tap into
only a fraction of this unprecedented era of technological potential. Businesses that leverage 4IR
innovations in the transition toward positive social, economic, and environmental solutions will
create market value and accelerate growth.

We should scale the #TechforGood movement now, and carry it out into the future, effectively
keeping pace with the much-needed transformative change. Let’s revisit the overarching themes
covered throughout the preceding chapters and assess what is needed to propel Tech for Good
innovations that are vital to forward progress.

Tech for Good is already here.

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10 CONCLUDING
SCALING TECH FOR GOOD
EVER-CHANGING HORIZONS
The 4IR is the blurring of boundaries among the physical, digital, and biological worlds. It is
a combination of advances in tech innovations such as IoT, AI and data, 3D printing, robotics,
advanced materials, extended realities, autonomous vehicles and drones, blockchain, and space tech.
4IR technologies are already the collective force behind many products and services of modern life,
and this tech presence will only increase into the future.

WE ARE IN AN ERA OF UNPRECEDENTED TECHNOLOGICAL POTENTIAL. TECH

FOR GOOD CAN INSPIRE SUSTAINABLY-MINDED BUSINESSES.

With the ever-changing developments and rapid acceleration of the 4IR, the information here sheds
light on the immediate tech scenario and looks ahead to what appears on the horizon. Exciting
business cases throughout the chapters give an overview of the most relevant tech advancements.
Market mechanisms and product developments are not absolute, however, since in no time
we will witness new variants and combinations of technologies that were at the conceptual or
experimental stage just a moment ago.

Advanced technologies rapidly evolve and grow, some more easily or quickly than others
depending on complexities, existing foundational tech infrastructures, regulatory frameworks, and
investment flows. Simply put, we distinguish among emerging technologies in three ways: those just
appearing on the horizon (emerging), techs currently being developed (improving), and others that
have already succeeded in their applications (mature).We have seen many of the most prominent
4IR tech solutions implemented in practice today for each of the 17 Global Goals.

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MATURITY STAGES OF 4IR TECHNOLOGIES
The World Economic Forum has categorized 4IR tech solutions into varying levels of maturity
which have been classified into low (emerging), medium (improving), and high (mature).5

High (mature) stage techs

• AI
• Satellites
• Drone-enabled disaster risk insurance products and microfinance
• Virtual Reality training, information, and remote learning experiences
• AI-enabled identity tax fraud identification
(using browsing data, retail data, and payments history)

Medium (improving) stage techs

• AI sensors to eliminate spoilage/loss in food value chain, including smart food storage
• Blockchain-enabled circularity and sharing business model incentives
(like tokeniztion to encourage collection and recycling of waste)
• Autonomous vessels and connected sensors for automated ocean health mapping

Low (emerging) stage techs

• Advanced construction materials
(e.g., low/zero emissions steel and aluminum, zero/negatjve emissions concrete)
• Advanced waste heat capture and conversion
• 4IR improved living conditions for disability groups
(e.g., AI sensory augmentation, robotic exoskeletons)

We have encountered these three stages, and examples of their associated technologies,
throughout this book. For instance, the case of Farmbeats in the AI and Data chapter is a high-
tech stage example.This agri-business product brings in cloud-based AI models, low-cost sensors,
drones, satellites, and image-based machine learning algorithms to increase the productivity and
profitability of farmers.6 Similarly, we discussed a medium-tech stage example in the Blockchain
chapter with US-based startup ImpactPPA.This system provides a blockchain-based prepaid mobile
application for energy consumers to buy renewable energy where power flows from microgrids
to smart meters connected to the blockchain network. Lastly, we referenced an emerging stage
innovation in the Advanced Materials chapter when discussing how the automotive sector is
aiming to improve fuel economy and emission control.The industry is currently finding ways to use
materials such as advanced high-strength steels, non-ferrous alloys (aluminum and titanium), and a
variety of composites (carbon fiber and metal matrix) to produce lightweight vehicles.

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 Within a few years, we will move through the referenced technologies and implementation of
many business solutions to address the world’s large-scale obstacles. Some futuristic tech ideas we
expect to come to fruition during the 4IR include: brain hacking through monitoring of thought
patterns associated with sensitive information;7 the highly-trending Metaverse, which is a virtual
universe for people to play, study, work, meet, and shop; self-fertilizing crops, with plants like
soybeans that can be stimulated to produce their own nitrogen or grains like corn to self-fertilize;8
super-effcient cobots specially designed to interact physically with humans in collaborative
environments; and prototypes developed quickly, accurately, and economically with 3D and 4D
printing.

The 4IR enables business as well as society at large to employ smart products and services that are
beneficial for a multitude of stakeholders.Thanks to the combinatorial power of technologies like
AI and blockchain, and their fusion with exponential innovations such as genomics and quantum
computing, there are unprecedented opportunities to help solve our biggest problems.While
enabling radical solutions at scale, these advanced technologies are effectively assisting us on the
journey toward a more sustainable present and future.

A JOINT, MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH AS A PREREQUISITE FOR

SCALING TECH FOR GOOD
Harnessing the power of technology for good will require a multi-stakeholder approach, as we
need active engagement from many actors across the business spectrum to achieve this transition.
In realizing the multi-stakeholder economic model, we are all aware and responsible for capturing
the positive force of tech as a collective unit. No single agent, whether a business, government, civil
society, academic, or anyone else, can do it alone. Collaborations and coalitions are key to success.

HARNESSING THE POWER OF TECHNOLOGY FOR GOOD WILL REQUIRE A

MULTI-STAKEHOLDER APPROACH.

As previously mentioned, technology has no overall purpose on its own. Its impact is driven by
human choices and actions. In this context, although Tech for Good is about technological and
scientific innovation, true scaling and advancement is determined even more by social innovation.
From businesses to governments, NGOs to entrepreneurs, we all hold a collective responsibility
together.Throughout the last five years we have seen unprecedented innovations, such as AVs
revolutionizing the automotive sector. But we have also seen some AV tech applications struggle
when they do not have the necessary government backing to realize this development as a truly
viable option. Such setbacks indicate how private-public collaboration will be at the forefront of
the 4IR.

TECH FOR GOOD IS ABOUT TECHNOLOGICAL AND SCIENTIFIC INNOVATION,

BUT TRUE SCALING AND ADVANCEMENT IS DETERMINED EVEN MORE BY
SOCIAL INNOVATION.

Tech for Good demands collective action.We currently face huge gaps in the necessary conditions
for Tech for Good to evolve to its full potential.The movement should align with a strong
foundation of ethics that are reflected in legislation, regulatory frameworks, and laws.We all have
a critical role to play in how technologies will shape our common future. As discussed in the
opening chapter, we have a long way to go to restore and build trust in technology. Jim Snabe and
Lars Thinggaard stated in their book Tech for Life that we need to “put trust back in technology.”9
While working together to engineer the necessary conditons, diverse sectors including businesses
and governments will be called to cultivate talent, skills, education, as well as investments.

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The pace of technological change must be accompanied by ever-faster and smarter regulatory
changes.We thus need policies and regulations that address new challenges, risks and threats,
including privacy and security. Businesses, along with other ecosystem partners, have an essential
role to play in helping governments develop effective regulations that can steer the impact of
advanced technologies in a positive direction. Ethics are a crucial base on which our actions,
systems, regulations, and policies must rest. Not self-interest, but collective interests, will engage
everyone in this forward movement. Further, this will undoubtedly take shape as a global action,
not just as a few projects in the developed world.

THE PACE OF TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGE MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY EVER-

FASTER AND SMARTER REGULATORY CHANGES.

The emergence of technology governance from both industry and the public sector is a positive
signal. Recent examples include industry-led efforts such as Global Digital Finance’s cryptocurrency
code of conduct, or the Cybersecurity Tech Accord, government-led multilateral efforts such as
the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), the G20 AI Principles, and the creation of
the public-private Global Partnership on AI. Entrepreneurs and innovators may be weary of codes
and regulations, perceiving that such stopgaps could potentially hold them back.10 The intent,
however, is not to slow down innovation. Rather, these boundaries and protections are put in place
to prevent fraud or misuse that could further damage trust in technology and subsequently stall
progress. Building momentum backed by bold commitments and ethical intents directs tech toward
addressing global challenges that are centered around a strong moral compass.

IT IS CRUCIAL THAT WE MOVE AWAY FROM THE INCREMENTAL AND

DEFENSIVE “DO NO HARM” MENTALITY TO THE PROGRESSIVE AND
FORWARD-THINKING “DO GOOD” MENTALITY.

Business leaders must demonstrate courageous leadership. More specifically, they must
demonstrate the willingness to develop and strengthen ethical foundations based on long-term
goals.This positive momentum prevents downsides that could damage trust in technology, which
would throw us off our course or worse, force us to stop.While developing these 4IR solutions,
it is crucial that we move away from the incremental and defensive “do no harm” mentality to the
progressive and forward-thinking “do good” mentality. If we agree technology should add value
for all stakeholders, we steer ourselves in the right direction.The Tech for Good movement has a
responsibility to utilize technology for collective benefit.

Encouraging examples of collaborative action in business exist throughout initiatives that address
the Global Goals. For instance, movements aiming to address SDG 13 on Climate Action include
the Step Up Coalition of 25 firms with leadership commitments, Net Zero and RE100 climate-
related pledges made by multiple technology firms, or the Breakthrough Energy Coalition
of private investors, tech firms, industry, and financial institutions collaborating to invest in
decarbonization.11 Emerging focus on tech and the Global Goals more broadly is resulting in
projects such as 2030Vision, which brings together over 18 companies and organizations to look at
how technology can help advance a sustainable future.12

Further, the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data includes hundreds of
organizations such as governments, companies, and civil society groups.The Cybersecurity Tech
Accord, with more than 120 companies that have committed to protecting customers and users, is
helping people defend against malicious threats.13 Other initiatives like the Partnership on AI, with
more than 90 multi-stakeholder partners committed to advancing positive AI uptake, are vital to
tech proliferation and safety.14

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 Currently, however, these efforts are far from the scale of collaboration that society needs. Public,
private, and multi-stakeholder partnerships, with active leadership from the tech industry, are
urgently required to tackle the most systemic challenges and facilitate business to be able to create
profitable opportunities.This applies to industry codes of conduct and frameworks on responsible
technology, in addition to R&D deploying technology to tackle the challenges underpinning
the Global Goals.To meet societal demands, tech advancement must be geared toward digital
infrastructure and upskilling in underserved regions. Along with a change in economic allocations,
public policies will also evolve as government support aimed at shaping new standards and
regulations for tech becomes increasingly important.

THE NEW WAY OF THINKING FOR BUSINESS

To successfully develop, deploy, and scale Tech for Good, businesses need to think and act
differently.This progressive course of action will help create markets for tech solutions where
none exist today, or address cracks in the current business platforms that prevent profitable
growth. It is the combination of renewed market forces, new digital technologies, and updated
ecosystems that will solve complex social issues and drive impact at scale. Businesses will excel
by responding quickly, as well as by addressing new challenges head on and taking advantage of
opportunities presented as exponential technological growth.

ALONG WITH A CHANGE IN ECONOMIC ALLOCATIONS, PUBLIC POLICIES

WILL ALSO EVOLVE AS GOVERNMENT SUPPORT AIMED AT SHAPING NEW
STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS FOR TECH BECOMES INCREASINGLY
IMPORTANT.

We discussed in earlier chapters the need for moonshot thinking as a catalyst for radical change.
Requiring a major mindset ship, new business approaches must start with the sustainable end
goal and then reason back to the fundamentals. If the goal is transformational change, it is critical
to start with the intended societal outcome in mind and then work back to the business and
technology solutions that can be applied to address challenges. Progress will not be realized
without a clear direction from the start.There is no doubt that this is easier said than done.
John F. Kennedy famously remarked in 1962, “We choose to go to the moon and to do other things,
not because they are easy, but because they are hard.”15

“WE CHOOSE TO GO TO THE MOON AND TO DO OTHER THINGS, NOT

BECAUSE THEY ARE EASY, BUT BECAUSE THEY ARE HARD.” - JOHN F.
KENNEDY

Truly transformational, moonshot thinking and acting could be challenging at first as we unlearn old
habits and enter a completely unknown realm. As humans, navigating amidst the unknown is often
scary and laden with obstacles that make us want to turn back. Still, we must persevere. Moonshot
thinking comes with the core competence of being adaptive, which is based on gaining skills and
capabilities that are precisely what the future needs from us.With potential benefits ranging from
the creation of technologies essential for harnessing big data, to furthering the development of the
metaverse, the moonshot concept is increasingly used to describe a giant leap of innovative tech
advancements with ambiguous goals.16 If realized, these technological moonshots could be hugely
beneficial for us all.

To transform the world, we must transform ourselves.This transformation requires radical

moonshot innovation.Yet, the value of incremental innovation should not be discounted as an
equally important step along our journey. In fact, when implemented deliberately and at scale,
incremental movement often generates major, short-term results such as cutting costs significantly
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and bringing our carbon footprint back to a more manageable level. Sometimes taking the smaller
methodical steps, those that realize incremental progress, are the very action that must be taken as
a precursor or supplement to the moonshot.

TO TRANSFORM THE WORLD, WE MUST TRANSFORM OURSELVES.

This slower, incremental pace, however, comes with a limit.The business-as-usual model will not
suffice over the long term, and we are running out of time.Thus, to solve the world’s largest
challenges, radical solutions are paramount and they come by way of radically expansive thinking.
In transforming ourselves while making progress, we must look at our role in accelerating forward
movement.We will need to imagine a new future, reset our agenda, and be open to a mindset that
is inherently radical. Moonshot innovations that leverage advanced technologies will be the radical
4IR solution necessary to catapult us forward.

Figure 6
Moonshot Blueprint, based on model developed by X - The Moonshot Factory.17

Technology unlocks possibilities beyond what was previously thought possible. By embracing
moonshot innovations to achieve our global challenges, businesses boldly embark on this journey.
As explained at the beginning of the book, combining sustainability and technology is key to
business success. Equipped with that new mindset, businesses will redefine their roles in the
marketplace and among consumers. In this multi-stakeholder era, business has the capacity to be
the instigator of the Tech for Good movement and convene all parties.The new way of thinking
should be one based on the awareness that collective intelligence and action matter more than
ever.We all need to act together while distributing and sharing knowledge and experience
throughout social and economic systems within and beyond business.

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 There are several exciting examples of tech businesses reaching for moonshot innovations to
curb climate change.These leaders are reshaping how we think about and use carbon. Prominent
players Microsoft18 and Google19 are gaining a lot of attention for their investments to boost
carbon removal. However, there are also strong signals suggesting that lesser-known companies
are entering the arena with big ideas that have the potential to create massive, positive change
and disrupt markets. Stripe, the online payments company, is a prime example of a tech innovator
successfully inspiring investment in moonshot carbon-removal technologies (Case 72).

NEXT GENERATIONS SPUR GROWTH

Seizing and scaling opportunities is characteristic of emerging generations who will soon make up
the majority of the workforce, marketplace, and wider stakeholder landscape.The next generations,
millennials, also referred to as Generation Y and the following Generation Z, are known to be
purpose-driven and action-orientated.Young Swedish environmental activist Greta Thunberg, along
with her millions of followers, highlights these generational priorities. Capitalizing on the benefits
afforded them by their parents and ancestors, next generations are taking full advantage of their
power and utilizing it as a force for good.

Gen Y and Gen Z are increasingly sustainability-minded and often “vote with their wallets” to
drive their agenda. According to a recent study, the vast majority of Gen Z shoppers prefer to
buy sustainable brands and they are more willing to spend an increase of 10% on sustainable
products.20 These findings also suggest that Gen Zs, along with millennials, are the most likely
group to make purchase decisions based on individual and collective values and principles related
to social, economic, and environmental concerns.The social impact consultancy DoSomething
reported that 75% of Gen Z respondents said they wanted to see that brands were ensuring
employee and consumer safety.21 The sentiment suggested, “If [brands] are not authentic, Gen Z
will be the first to raise a red flag.”22

Millennials as well as Gen Zs seek to combine purpose and profit, thus proving these two
seemingly opposing elements are not in conflict with each other.When brands have an authentic
purpose, share it with the world, and truly stick to it, people are more than willing to pay a small
premium.Therefore, these next generations are encouraging brands to become more purpose-
and value-driven.Young people are spending their money on brands with aligned values.With this
money, they are fueling businesses’ purpose and encouraging them to continue their path. Recently,
young people named three things when it comes to trusting a company: purpose, honesty, and
transparency.23 Businesses that have a purpose customers can identify with, as well as being honest
and transparent, generate thriving success.

56% OF GEN Z CONSIDER THEMSELVES CREATIVE, COMPARED TO 44% OF

MILLENNIALS.24

Innovation is thus a defining characteristic of the Gen Z era, as advanced technology and talent
generate the ideal environment for agile thinking and creative ideas.25 This is hopeful, as we
need innovative, moonshot thinking that delivers radical solutions using tech. Findings show that
56% of Gen Z consider themselves creative, compared to 44% of millennials.26 They are often
technologically driven and knowledgeable, and their curiosity creates a significant competitive
advantage in modern business. Combining a Gen Z workforce with innovative technology and new
ideas enables the acceleration of digital transformation.This is highly lucrative, as findings show
that 80% of supply chain leaders are prioritizing digital transformation due to disruption from the
COVID-19 pandemic.27

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IN BUSINESS
STRIPE 28
Initiative: Stripe Climate
Headquarters: Dublin, Ireland and San Francisco, California USA

Stripe describes itself as “financial infrastructure for the internet.” Millions of com-
panies of all sizes—from startups to Fortune 500s—use Stripe’s software to accept
payments, send payouts, and manage their businesses online. Stripe is amplifying the
sustainable carbon economy by creating a market for removing CO2 from the at-
mosphere.With a vision to create a trillion dollar-a-year market on carbon-removal
technologies, the company launched the Stripe Climate initiative and catapulted
itself into the moonshot realm. Stripe’s moonshot innovation is offering a solution
for businesses to invest in climate mitigation efforts. Calling on its customers to
join this grand-scale carbon-removal strategy by contributing a percentage of their
digital sales that flow through Stripe’s software, the company now has tens of thou-
sands of businesses that are part of Stripe Climate.

Stripe Climate took a moonshot leap to create a market for ambitious carbon-re-
moval technologies to help save the planet (SDGs 12,13).The company got a
“surprisingly positive reaction from the carbon-removal community,” said Nan
Ransohoff, Stripe’s Head of Climate.29 Stripe routinely convenes panels of scientif-
ic experts to evaluate new tech and decide which companies it will back through
Stripe Climate, and then pays a premium for these companies’ services in an effort
to help them scale and bring the cost down (SDG 8). More than 15,000 companies
across 40 countries have joined in these efforts, thereby helping provide a critical
demand signal for new technologies.30

One of Stripe Climate’s notable initiatives include financing nearly 10% of Clime-
works’ new direct air capture facility named Orca, the world’s largest direct air
capture and storage plant that permanently removes CO2 from the air (SDG
9).31 Also, Stripe was the first customer for Charm Industrial’s novel process for
permanently injecting carbon-containing liquid underground, which has sequestered
more than 5,000 tons of carbon (SDG 7).32 In April of 2022, Stripe teamed up with
Alphabet, Meta, Shopify, and McKinsey to launch an initiative called Frontier, which
plans to purchase nearly $1 billion worth of carbon removal by 2030 from nascent
carbon removal companies in an effort to accelerate research and development
(SDGs 16,17).33

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 NEXT GENERATIONS TAKE DECISIVE ACTION WITH THEIR WALLETS
Gen Z is inspiring older generations to buy responsibly sourced products, and Gen X is following
suit. In a recent 2021 study, nearly the same share of Gen X buyers considers sustainability over
brand as Gen Z, and 67% of Gen X prefers to buy from sustainable companies.34 This is a 25%
increase from the previous year. Gen Z influencers are leading the way to ensure sustainable supply
chain practices are imperative for brands to keep in mind.

Understanding and acting on the new demands that Gen Z consumer behavior reflects will be
paramount for sustainable business growth. Bloomberg estimates in the United States alone, the
disposable income of Gen Z is $360 billion.35 This means companies have a huge opportunity to
grow their businesses alongside the rising of the Gen Z era.With more than 30% of the global
population, Gen Z’s domination of the next decade could lead to major profits for companies that
prioritize environmental and social sustainability at all levels of their business, from corporate
governance to logistics suppliers.

Protecting the environment is high on Gen Z’s priority list, closely behind unemployment and
healthcare or disease prevention.36 Approximately 73% of this young age group is willing to pay
more for expensive products “when [they are] ethically sourced,” which is more than every other
generation.37 It is revealed that 66% of Gen Z and 57% of millennials agree that environmental
concerns should take priority over economic growth, compared with 44% of baby boomers and
45% of Gen X.38

This is demonstrated in many companies launching sustainability campaigns and emphasizing green
practices.39 A recent survey by Deloitte shows that nearly half — 46% — of Gen Zs and millennials
said that their personal ethics have played a role in their career choices.40 Sustainably-oriented
companies realize that these new generation growth numbers will only rise from this point on,
as 90% of the incoming generation say they will switch brands in case a sustainable alternative
arises.41

GEN Z IS REPORTED TO BE AN AGILE AND CREATIVE GENERATION.42

Companies looking to proactively recruit employees from Generations Y and Z gain an edge
on competitors. In addition to embracing new technologies and software that help businesses
acquire and keep new customers, millennials and Gen Zs are often at the heart of designing and
implementing new strategies and systems.43 One such tech company started by next gen business
leaders is Canva (Case 73). Canva is an Australian graphic design platform that is used to create
social media graphics and presentations.The tech startup has changed the way people design,
both for work and personal projects, by putting its digital templates in everyone’s hands.The app
includes ready-made templates for users and the platform is free, with additional paid offerings
such as Canva Pro and Canva for Enterprise for additional functionality.

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IN BUSINESS
CANVA44
Initiative: Marketing and Branding Solutions for Tech Companies
Headquarters: Sydney, Australia

In May 2012, Australians Melanie Perkins and Cliff Obrecht, both in their mid-twen-
ties, raised the first part of what would become a $3 million seed round from
investors.45 A year later, they launched the online design and publishing tool Canva.
It is now one of the most influential design platforms on the planet, with 100
million monthly active users who create, on average, 150 designs every second.The
company, which was valued at $40 billion in July 2022, is now exceeding $1 billion
in revenue.46

By democratizing design—and challenging the unwritten rules around who gets

to consider themselves a designer—Canva was recognized on Fast Company’s
2022 cover as one of the most innovative companies (SDG 9).The service, which
debuted as a free tool before adding a paid Pro tier, currently has over 5 million
Pro customers. Over the past two years, it has rolled out features that allow for
real-time collaboration across diverse companies (SDGs 8,17). An impressive 85%
of the world’s 500 largest companies are using Canva’s platform.47

The tech innovator has created over 13 billion designs, of which sustainability plays
a prominent role (SDGs 10,12). It is a platform to design anything and everything. “I
mean it very literally, actually, we are continuously picking off the next, most critical
strategic pillar that we believe is most important to our customers,” says Perkins.
“Maybe in 20 years’ time, you can take your imagination as far as it will go. I have
this very wildly optimistic belief that there is enough money and goodwill in the
world to solve all of the world’s problems.”48 At a time when communication chan-
nels are quickly evolving, Canva is more than keeping up. It is setting the pace with
specific, targeted messaging for their clients’ commitments to the SDGs as well.
The company believes the more people who know about the SDGs, the better.

Therefore, to help bring awareness to business, Canva provides services related to

the Global Goals that ensure communities stay active and governments are held
accountable.49 Important SDG-related actions include around 27 million teachers
and students use Canva daily in over 190 countries, and since the launch of Canva
Education, the program has attracted over 25 million users (SDG 4); the Canva
team planted over 1 million trees through their one print, one tree program (SDGs
13,15); and a woman’s ALS journey raised over $750,000 through the Team Drea
Foundation using Canva for their designs to empower others to achieve goals they
otherwise thought were impossible (SDGs 3,5).50

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 TECH FOR GOOD AS A GLOBAL MOVEMENT
Tech for Good is a defining term for business innovation acceleration. A quick online search for
#TechforGood or #Tech4Good reveals the growing popularity surrounding the wider initiative
driving the need to do good. But #TechforGood is much more than a hashtag, it is a global
movement.The Tech for Good movement is composed of thinkers, scientists, startups, and mature,
global companies as well as governments.They all share the vision that technology should serve
society.Technology, as previously emphasized, needs collaboration among all stakeholders.The Tech
for Good movement reflects this positive and powerful joining of forces.

Silicon Valley is known as the original tech headquarters area. Synonymous with big tech, Silicon
Valley boasts established headquarters of tech giants like Apple, Google, HP, Intel, Adobe, eBay, and
several other major players.These companies operate from the region with continued success, but
there is growing awareness that big tech needs to repurpose and refocus on leveraging technology
for the greater good.The Tech for Good movement is seeing tech giants diversify the regions in
which they operate. As these tech innovators begin to spread out across the globe, they are seizing
opportunities to serve not only direct shareholders and beneficiaries but society at large. Big tech
will be increasingly required to scale initiatives and services to respond to a wider stakeholder
group.While doing so, these companies will make a huge, positive difference on the business
community and the planet.

#TECHFORGOOD IS MUCH MORE THAN A HASHTAG - IT IS A GLOBAL

MOVEMENT.

Diversifying access is vital to accelerating tech innovations around the globe. Prominent regions
outside of North America at the cutting edge of the Tech for Good movement include Europe
and Asia. Consider the Tech for Good Summit in France, for instance.51 Under the leadership of
President Macron, France founded a true public-private partnership to increase cooperation and
collaboration of actors of all sizes to put innovation, technology, and economics at the heart of
humanity and the common good. Fifty CEOs joined in 2018, with many more following in the
years after, and the French initiative became an impactful call to good. London is also an important
incubator for Tech for Good startups. As the United Kingdom startup ecosystem matures, so does
the opportunity to attract capital from all over, even from Silicon Valley.

Beyond Europe, the movement is gaining traction in many other regions.There are many more
national tech movements in Canadian, Australian, and Asian countries.The Tech for Good initiative
in Israel, for example, boasts an internationally renowned entrepreneurial ecosystem where
investments in high-tech companies continue to grow. Delivering exciting technological innovations
from several new businesses, Israel is known to some as the “Startup Nation.”52 Israeli unicorns
and startups managed to raise over $10 billion in the first half of 2022 alone.53 For instance, the
Israeli company DriveNets, which builds communication networks on the cloud, raised $262
million in late August 2022.54 This brings the total amount raised by the company to $587 million,
with the its valuation now exceeding $2 billion.

TECH FOR GOOD AREAS

As Tech for Good becomes a wider field with broader applications, the related sustainable growth
markets are being unlocked and discovered. As explained throughout each tech chapter, new
sustainable tech areas are popping up and growing rapidly where solutions are urgently needed.
Tech areas that were not tradtionally associated with sustainable objectives are now beginning to
turn their focus toward Tech for Good. FinTech is an example. Although innovations have disrupted
the financial sector, FinTech was originally not associated with purpose-driven business practices.
Now it is becoming a global movement for change as part of the wider Tech for Good movement.
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TECH FOR GOOD INNOVATORS AROUND THE WORLD
It is often said that Silicon Valley led the software revolution, but other regions around the globe
are emerging at the forefront of the Tech for Good era.

Over the past decade, Asia has been the innovation hub for the travel and mobility tech sector,
with half of all global venture capital funding in the sector flowing into Asian startups.This trend
resulted in billions of dollars flowing to numerous tech unicorns, such as China’s Didi, Singapore’s
Grab, Indonesia’s Gojek, and India’s Ola.55 Southeast Asia’s technology startups had a combined
valuation of $340 billion in 2020, and they are anticipated to triple in value by 2025.56 One
is Grab, the Southeast Asian service Launched in 2012, which offers rides, food delivery, hotel
bookings, and financial services. In 2018, it pushed Uber out of Southeast Asia and is now the most
valuable Southeast Asian tech unicorn.

In 2021, One is Grab went public in New York following a $39.6 billion merger with a blank
check company.57 Another major player is Gojek, an Indonesian on-demand multiservice platform
and digital payment technology group. Launched in 2010 as a call center, an app was then
developed that originally offered only four services. But in 2021 Gojek merged with Tokopedia (an
e-commerce company) and created the new holding named GoTo. In March 2022, GoTo Group
raised $1.1 billion in one of the world’s largest initial public offerings in 2022.58

In recent years, Latin America has established itself as one of the world’s most promising regions
for burgeoning tech talent and start-up activity.Venture capital investment in Latin American tech
has been growing steadily over the past five years, doubling annually since 2016 before reaching a
record high of $4.6 billion in 2019.59 Over 60% of start-up investments in Brazil are concentrated
in São Paulo, which is open referred to as Brazil’s innovation powerhouse where tech giants such
as Amazon, Uber, and Spotify have chosen the city as their Latin American base.60 The city is home
to a tech ecosystem which supports a number of local unicorns, as well as boasting more fintech
start-ups than any other Latin American city.

Mexico City, with its strategic location between the American continents, attracts many big-name
companies as well. Streaming giant Netflix, for example, has established a regional headquarters in
North America’s most populous city.

Although Europe might not have spawned a Google, Apple, or Facebook, the continent does find
itself in a prime position to become a leader in Tech for Good. A growing number of entrepreneurs
and investors are setting out to prove that Europe can create alternative models for tech
innovation that are both profitable and good for society. In that sense, the region could set a new
global standard by showing that best practices on environmental impact, diversity, and privacy are a
driver for financial performance.

London has been named the best city in the region to develop and grow digital Tech for Good
solutions that address social and environmental challenges, according to new research from
global innovation foundation Nesta.The European Digital Social Innovation Index (EDSII) and the
interactive map produced as part of the EU-funded DSI4EU project, show 60 European cities that
are ranked on 32 indicators for digital social innovation (DSI) and Tech for Good.61

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 There is even a specific organization FinTech for Good which was founded in 2013 by a group
of finance professionals, tech engineers, and economists who sought to show what could be
possible if society pursues more human-centric, sustainable, and socially responsible systems for
managing capital.62 FinTech for Good was started ahead of its time and was a first-mover in sharing
information and funding creative projects that showcase financial inclusion, social governance,
and climate responsibility. Coordinating information around socially responsible finance, the
participatory think-tank provides industry leadership and advocates for financial inclusion and
climate responsibility. FinTech for Good is part of a wider network of communities advocating
globally for financial democratization in tech including members such as Nesta,The Finance
Innovation Lab,The Smart CSOs Lab,The New Economic Foundation, and many more.There are
now several VC funds and startups around the globe investing in Tech for Good, such as a Brazilian
FinTech company Solfácil that focuses on financing solar power systems in homes (Case 74).

FINTECH FOR GOOD IS PART OF A WIDER NETWORK OF COMMUNITIES

ADVOCATING GLOBALLY FOR FINANCIAL DEMOCRATIZATION IN TECH.

FinTech collaborations are growing in numbers in an interesting way. HealRWorld, a social impact
for profit ESG FinTech unveiled its new corporate debit card in late 2022.63 In collaboration with
Mastercard and its Priceless Planet initiative, RailSR,Toqio, and Penrose Digital, the HealRWorld
corporate debit card is the first of its kind to reward sustainable businesses and promote their
commitment to the SDGs.64 The card is powered by HealRWorld’s proprietary sustainability
data on global small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which is based on data signifying that
businesses committed to ESG standards are on average three times more creditworthy than
their peers.65 The HealRWorld debit card was launched using Toqio’s white-labeled digital finance
SaaS plaXorm and RailsR provided the necessary payment tools to enable its SMEs to enjoy a
unique experience.While linking a debit card and payment account to the unique Priceless Planet
proposition, this FinTech collaboration allows users to give back to the planet by contributing
towards planting a tree with each purchase.

TRADITIONAL AND NEW TECH AREAS ARE BEING REPURPOSED TO RESPOND

TO THE TECH FOR GOOD MOVEMENT.

The broad spectrum of 4IR technologies reveals the pervasive nature of tech innovation
throughout business sectors.Within the preceding chapters, many tech areas were identified as
sustainable growth opportunities, often with disruptive benefits, like FinTech. Collaborations and
joint ventures between companies with different competencies and sector knowledge are fruitful.
Traditional and new tech areas are being repurposed to respond to the Tech for Good movement
while seeking new growth and profit markets.

MANY OF THESE TECH AREAS, INCLUDING CARBONTECH, CLEANTECH AND

CLIMATETECH, HAVE DIRECT TECH FOR GOOD OBJECTIVES THAT CLEARLY
ADDRESS THE GLOBAL GOALS.

Many of these tech areas, including CarbonTech, CleanTech and ClimateTech, have direct Tech for
Good objectives that clearly address the Global Goals. Examples of CleanTech, which refers to
the product or service that reduces negative environmental impacts through significant energy
effciency improvements and sustainable use of resources, are evident in several cases. EdTech, the
technology supporting and transforming education, is also a highly beneficial tech area that has
positive impacts across regions and communities.Yet some of these areas have continued to lack
an obvious role in our sustainable journey are only now beginning to morph and repurpose. It is
crucial, as we develop and apply 4IR technologies, that we choose to formulate these tech areas in
an ethical, purposeful way.

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IN BUSINESS
SOLFÁCIL66
Initiative: FinTech for Good financing residential solar
Headquarters: São Paulo, Brazil

Solfácil is a Brazilian FinTech online marketplace for financing solar power systems
in homes. It connects residential consumers with multiple investors and installers
of solar energy (SDGs 8,17).The company works with a credit line without the
need for upfront investments from clients (SDG 10).The amount of funding raised
is used for tech improvements, new credit lines (agribusiness), and expanding its
partner network. As of December 2022, Solfácil raised $165 million over five fund-
ing rounds.67 In an effort to make solar energy mainstream, the funds will be used
to expand what Solfácil calls its “solar ecosystem” (SDGs 7,9).This includes a range
of solutions that, besides the credit lines, also incorporate a marketplace for solar
equipment and an IoT device built with proprietary technology to monitor and
improve the productivity of solar power systems provided by integrators (partner
companies that design and build solar panel projects for the end customer) (SDG
12).

When it entered the market in 2018, Solfácil aimed to make access to solar energy
popular among Brazilians (SDG 13).With credit lines to finance solar energy panels
for individuals, farmers, and small and medium businesses, the startup has already
financed more than $230 million in “solar loans.” Users can define the photovoltaic
solar project they want on the basis of requirements and pay monthly installments
(SDG 1). Solfácil is the third-largest financier for solar energy in Brazil, next to
major banks BV and Santander. “Today we are more than a FinTech, we are a solar
energy ecosystem.We have a FinTech to provide access to the solar energy system,
a marketplace to sell the photovoltaic kit, which is a key part of the investment
beyond the installation, and now the proprietary IoT that takes care of this solar
system over 30 years of use that it will have in the customer’s home,” said Fábio
Carrara, CEO and founder of Solfácil.68

Solfácil currently has a customer base of 40,000 and over 10,000 integrator part-
ners connected to its platform all over Brazil (SDG 11).69 The startup’s market-
place features more than 5,000 products, such as solar panels and inverters, and
connects partner integrators to a variety of distributors and brands. In this regard,
the Solfácil marketplace solves two of the biggest issues of a market of high de-
mand and unstable supply chain: the prices and availability of products.The startup
reached the start of 2023 with a credit portfolio of approximately $600 million and
over 100,000 customers served. A portion of the funds will be allocated to technol-
ogy to improve the marketplace and to enhance the IoT device (SDG 16).

335
 As one of the most pressing challenges, climate change will be at the forefront of boosting growth
in areas like CarbonTech and ClimateTech. CarbonTech is attracting more and more interest from
investors and governments lately.While concerns over global warming become stronger, the tech
area has promoted and proliferated carbon capture.

Although the tech has been around for decades, it is only recently ramping up the ability to deliver
on its promise. Now, a new cohort of carbon capture technologies and companies are emerging
with their sights set on bridging the gap between the ongoing energy transition and the world’s
reliance on heavy emitting oil and gas industries. Aker Carbon Capture, Climeworks, and LanzaTech
represent just a few of the innovative companies in the CarbonTech area.

TECH AREAS REPURPOSED

Several tech areas that help drive us toward a sustainable future are emerging around the world:
• AgriTech – effciency farming
• CarbonTech - productive use of CO2
• CleanTech – energy effciency
• ClimateTech – emissions reduction
• EdTech – augmented learning
• FinTech – streamlining financial services
• FoodTech – nutrient fortification
• GreenTech – reducing environmental impact
• HealthTech – enabled healthcare
• MedTech – medical advancements
• PropTech - greener buildings
• UrbanTech – improving city life

There are also examples of grand-scale, technologically advanced cities being built with these
tech areas as a basis for rethinking urban planning.The Carbon Free City Neom in Saudi Arabia is
one such initiative, progressively combining CarbonTech, ClimateTech, GreenTech, PropTech, and
UrbanTech as an integral component of its design.The city will be a 26,500-square-km high-tech
development on the Red Sea with several zones, including industrial and logistics areas, planned for
completion in 2025.70 With no roads, cars, or emissions, it will run on 100% renewable energy and
95% of the land will be preserved for nature.

PRIVATE INVESTMENT FIRMS ARE FOCUSING ON ACTIVE ENTREPRENEURIAL

VALUE INVESTING ACROSS TECH AREAS AND GEOGRAPHIES.

The carbon capture and sequestration industry has been attracting major investor interest, as
the market is expected to grow from $2.01 billion in 2021 to $7 billion by 2028 at an estimated
CAGR of 19.5%.71 In the UK alone, ClimateTech startups raised nearly $8 billion in 2022, which
is double the entire $4 billion raised by the same firms throughout 2021.72 Private investment

336
firms are focusing on active entrepreneurial value investing across tech genres and geographies.
G9CM is a forward-thinking business with offices around the world that invest in opportunities for
unlocking untapped potentials arising from tech innovation.Their venture capital growth strategy
identifies candidates that have developed a solid business model and are ready to scale globally.
G9CM’s selected investments start with a minimum equity volume of $250,000 with a maximum
of $10 million in several tech areas including EdTech, FinTech, AgriTech, CarbonTech, HealthTech,
SpaceTech, and others.73

THE CARBON CAPTURE AND SEQUESTRATION INDUSTRY HAS BEEN

ATTRACTING MAJOR INVESTORS’ INTEREST AS THE MARKET IS EXPECTED
TO GROW FROM $2.01 BILLION IN 2021, TO $7 BILLION BY 2028 AT AN
ESTIMATED CAGR OF 19.5%.74

LEADING THE TECH FOR GOOD MOVEMENT

The Tech for Good movement is gaining momentum as it is increasingly engaging stakeholders from
all sectors and regions.When developing technology, businesses must take the lead to incorporate
responsible practices and sound frameworks.While tech has been a major force for progress, it
also has the potential to be abused and cause harm. From steam power to automobiles, history
shows that technology is neither good nor bad in and of itself. It can be both beneficial and
detrimental, depending on how it is used. Modern 4IR tech advancement, like that of the Internet
and AI, is no different. Leadership in Tech for Good takes on different forms. Bold companies with
vision and purpose are guiding us along a tech paradigm ship toward an imaginable and achievable
sustainable future.

TECHNOLOGY CAN BE BOTH BENEFICIAL AND DETRIMENTAL DEPENDING ON

HOW IT IS USED.

On one hand, tech connects us all. During the COVID-19 pandemic, digital services and the
Internet kept us in touch with one another. In this regard, AI and machine learning are helping solve
some of the world’s most pressing problems.Tech has amazing capabilities to diagnose diseases,
thwart cyberattacks, mitigate climate change, and much more. AI now powers everything from
online searches to medical advancement to job productivity. On the other hand, if left unchecked,
algorithms can also perpetuate biases, create digital divides, and compromise safety and privacy.
Hidden algorithms may threaten cybersecurity and conceal bias, while opaque data can erode
public trust. One case that solidifies this point is the BlenderBot 3 launched by Meta in August
2022.75 The AI chatbot made anti-Semitic remarks and factually incorrect statements regarding the
United States presidential election, and even asked users for offensive jokes.

“DURING THE PANDEMIC, DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES HAVE KEPT SOCIETIES

FUNCTIONING AND PEOPLE CONNECTED. BUT THE PANDEMIC HAS ALSO
HIGHLIGHTED A YAWNING GAP IN ACCESS TO THESE TOOLS. THE WORLD
ENTERED THE DIGITAL AGE DECADES AGO, BUT A CORE CHALLENGE
REMAINS: CLOSING THE DIGITAL DIVIDE.”76 - UN SECRETARY-GENERAL, ANTONIO
GUTERRES

In an effort to stave off these risks, business is taking action.The private and non-profit sectors
have rallied behind the Tech for Good movement, which ultimately strives to “put the digital world
and technology at the service of humanity.”77 In its most direct and sweeping form,Tech
for Good promises technology can help the world achieve the UN’s Global Goals.
Investors are taking note and implementing responsible tech practices.There has been rapid

337
 proliferation and uptake of AI in recent years, where 75% of all businesses already include AI in
their core strategies.78 Technology is also at the forefront of portfolio management for private
equity and venture capital investments. In 2020, AI accounted for 20%, or $75 billion, of worldwide
VC investments.79 McKinsey & Company has reported that AI could increase global GDP by
roughly 1.2% per year adding a total of $13 trillion by 2030.80

THE SENTIMENT OF THE GLOBAL GOALS IS TIMELESS. BUT WE WILL BE

REQUIRED TO UPDATE OUR COLLECTIVE STRATEGY FOR SUCCESS.

The accelerated pace at which tech advancement is moving forward has surpassed many of our
current policies and financial structures. Strong business leadership is unlocking new markets
and developments, while also creating space for all that tech has to offer. Much has changed
in the decade since the SDGs were devised at the United Nations Conference on Sustainable
Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in 2012. In 2015, when the UN voted on 17 universal
objectives to transform the world through 2030, many of the tech advancements we discuss in this
book had not yet been imagined.The 17 Sustainable Development Goals are defined in a list of 169
SDG Targets and progress toward these Targets was agreed to be tracked by 232 unique Indicators.
But the era in which the SDGs were designed is behind us and the 4IR is now upon us. Although
the sentiment of the Global Goals is timeless, we will be required to update our collective strategy
for success.

THERE WILL BE MORE THAN 500 BILLION MACHINES CONNECTED TO

THE INTERNET BY 2030, WHICH IS MORE THAN 60 TIMES THE WORLD’S
POPULATION.

Businesses are recognizing the need to shift with the times.They are taking action and leading
the movement by changing their approach, thereby using the 17 Global Goals as a framework
for where they want to go next. Although the Goals remain relevant, many of the Targets and
Indicators may need to be rethought and revised as we move into uncharted territory. Consider
the implementation of the 6G network, for instance. Many of the specific components of SDGs will
need to be updated and modified to include elements of the unknown technological advancements
to come. Because there will be more than 500 billion machines connected to the Internet by 2030,
which is more than 60 times the world’s population, businesses must take on a leadership role
in devising new systems for these machines that have a host of different technical requirements
beyond simply connecting people.81 Our visions of science-fiction will become reality once 6G
is commercialized.Tech giant Samsung is leading the way in the all-new connectvity ship to a 6G
future. In the case of 6G dissemination for the entire planet, Samsung will address all 17 Global
Goals indirectly from the next generation tech perspective (Case 75).

THE GLOBAL GOALS ARE NOT MEANT TO BE RESTRICTIVE OR LOCK US INTO

A PATTERN OF STALLED PROGRESS.

Bold business leadership is driving the Tech for Good movement. Companies that are nimble
and take decisive action can quickly redirect and accelerate forward progress on the 17 SDGs.
The Global Goals are a vision for the world.We all own them, together as a collective body, and
therefore each of us own the responsibility of achieving them. Let us not, however, forget that
the UN’s framework is fluid and serves primarily as a roadmap to direct our journey.

The path to our destination is not linear. Forward-thinking businesses have the power to take
charge, devise a plan that serves both profit and purpose, and lead the way in the Tech for Good
movement.

338
75
IN BUSINESS
SAMSUNG82
Initiative: 6G of the Future
Headquarters: Seol, South Korea

In May 2022, Samsung Electronics released its vision for leadership securing global
frequency bands for 6G, the next generation of communications technology.The
company’s report, 6G Spectrum: Expanding the Frontier, discusses ways to obtain
the spectrum needed to achieve the 6G vision.83 “We have started on our journey
to understand, develop and standardize the 6G communications technology,” said
Sunghyun Choi, Executive Vice President and Head of the Advanced Communica-
tions Research Center at Samsung Research.84

This next gen tech is set to bring about a new era of connectivity. It will enhance
sustainable services across all facets of society by supporting the tech ecosystems
that address several global challenges (SDGs 1,2,3,5,6,14,15).With connectivity
speeds up to 1 Tbps (one trillion bits per second) data transmission rate, 6G will
enable real-time conversations with people on the other side of the world via
holograms (SDGs 4,8,10). In addition, the 6G connected networks will support
vehicles, robots, and even home appliances all around the globe (SDGs 9,11,12).
Samsung stands to grow its business exponentially, as the comprehensive 6G Mar-
ket is expected to create a revenue pocket surpassing $340 billion and expand at
58.1% CAGR during the forecast period 2031 to 2040.85

Whereas 5G requirements are mainly focused on performance aspects, 6G services

are defined by three categories – performance, architecture, and trustworthiness.
Examples of 6G performance requirements are a peak data rate of 1,000 Gbps
(gigabits per second) and an air latency of less than 100 microseconds (µs), which is
50 times the peak data rate and one-tenth the latency of 5G.The architectural re-
quirements of 6G include resolving the issues arising from the limited computation
capability of mobile devices, as well as implementing AI right from the initial phase
of technology development and enabling the flexible integration of new network
entities.The trustworthiness requirement addresses the security and privacy issues
arising from the widespread use of user data and AI technologies.

6G would require spectrum with ultra-wideband contiguous bandwidth to enable

new services such as high-fidelity mobile holograms and truly immersive XR that
are characterized by ultra-high-speed communications and a large amount of data.
Samsung also capitalizes on AI to minimize energy consumption at the base station,
without affecting network performance (SDGs 7,13). In a real data-based replicat-
ed simulation of base stations, Samsung applied its AI energy innovation tech to
demonstrate energy savings of more than 10%.86 In addition, it notes that research
on forward-looking regulations and technologies on spectrum utlization is essential
to provide efficient and flexible support of 6G. Samsung is committed to taking the
lead and sharing its findings to spread the vision to bring the next hyper-connected
experience to the world (SDGs 16,17).
339
 PREREQUISITES FOR SCALING TECH FOR GOOD
In scaling Tech for Good to reach its full potential, there are overarching risks to identify,
conditions to be met, and gaps to be filled.We have explored the major risks to address together
and hurdles to overcome in every tech chapter.Two of the most fundamental conditions to propel
Tech for Good are simply training people and investing money. Rapid advances in technology
development and adoption require significant human skills and expertise as well as financial
investments.87 If not adequately addressed, these gaps in these areas will become significant scaling
risks or even blockers.

The current pool of workforce expertise in the tech area is too small and unequal to develop the
correct technological systems at scale. Around three-quarters of IT decision-makers worldwide
claim to be facing critical skills gaps across tech departments, according to research by Skillsoft.88
After questioning around 9,300 IT workers, the EdTech company found that 76% of IT leaders have
skills gaps in their departments, a significant increase of 145% since 2016.89 This refers to tech
skills in general, not specifically Tech for Good. Michael Yoo, general manager of technology and
developer at Skillsoft, said in an interview in ComputerWeekly: “Gaps in skills don’t just disappear,
they only grow wider if not properly addressed.”90

MANY NEW TECHNOLOGIES REQUIRE SIGNIFICANT TECHNOLOGY EXPERTISE

AND TOOLS.

Many new technologies, including AI and robotics operations, require significant technology
expertise and tools.There is an urgent need to address this skill gap. For many companies, their
survival is at stake. Digital transformation is stalling due to lack of job-ready digital talent.
Recent research shows that nearly 60% of employers self-report that not having enough skilled
employees has a major or moderate impact on their business.91 Further, 50% of employers
report that digital transformation initiatives are held back due to lack of employee adoption or
engagement.

There is also the investment scaling hurdle, as already explored in my previous book The Trillion
Dollar Shift.The UN estimates a funding gap of $5 to $7 trillion per year to meet the Global
Goals, with an annual investment gap in developing countries of about $2.5 trillion.92 This number
refers to the finance gap to achieve the SDGs in general, but can also be applied to a tech gap.This
investment gap, along with inadequate financing models, is a risk for achieving the SDGs, especially
in instances when projects are not directly linked to private-sector markets.Traditional finance
has a strong focus on centralized and capital-intensive infrastructure. Digital and decentralized
technologies, however, often require a different financing model.

THE UN ESTIMATES THAT THERE IS A FUNDING GAP OF $5 TO $7 TRILLION

PER YEAR TO MEET THE GLOBAL GOALS, WITH AN ANNUAL INVESTMENT
GAP IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES OF ABOUT $2.5 TRILLION.93

Digital assets are generally smaller amounts and tend to be more geographically dispersed.With
an additional layer of complexity, the necessary financial tools and structures have not fully
adapted to the needs of decentralized and distributed emerging technologies.There is currently
a lack of the innovative public, private, and blended investment arrangements that are often
required to scale the right 4IR digital infrastructure in order to support these new technology
solutions.

340
BRIDGING THE TECH GAP
No tech better exemplifies the “leapfrog” phenomenon than the mobile phone.The widespread
adoption of the handheld device has allowed even the most underserved communities to
entirely forgo the need to implement traditional telecommunications infrastructures like wire
networks and landline capabilities. Over 90% of the world’s population owns mobile phones.94
Of the 1.7 billion people that remain unbanked, 1.1 billion are reported to have access to a
mobile phone. For these people, their first experience with financial services will likely happen
on decentralized infrastructure.95

Decentralized finance (DeFi) technology, like mobile phones, has the potential to be a leapfrog
technology. By enabling the underbanked to bypass traditional finance and gain access to digital
services and assets that were previously unavailable, mobile phones as a DeFi tech help to bridge
the tech gap. In less than five years, decentralized finance has become a billion-dollar industry with
a market valued at an all-time high of more than $180 billion in 2022.96 From January 2020 to
today, the number of users on DeFi has increased from under 100,000 to over six million.97

The lack of a clear business case for investment in Tech for Good has also been challenging.
Across several Global Goals, the short-term return on investment is low. A higher risk of
investment for many technology solutions due to either being unproven at scale, or because the
underlying technology is rapidly changing, is also identified as a major hurdle. Assets can quickly
become obsolete, which is evident where tech solutions are public sector-led or heavily
regulated. Finally, a lack of incentives for robust financing is a major setback in the Tech for
Good movement.

A World Economic Forum assessment identified that Goals 1, 5, 14, and 15 have the lowest number
of tech applications and therefore they generate the lowest amount of financial capital. Further
analysis of specific technology applications under these Global Goals revealed that, for specific
social ventures tied to public goods, markets are lagging or are virtually nonexistent.

Finance mechanisms of all types are a positive force to stimulate new market solutions.They
are particularly critical to enable scaling of 4IR solutions where market failures exist, there is a
challenging investment climate, or the benefits are largely public goods. More broadly, by
staying ahead of the latest tech trends, governments, public finance institutions, companies,
and investors have the opportunity to back and scale new technology solutions that help
countries leapfrog traditional systems.

341
 WE HAVE

IMAGINED
We have imagined what was, until recently, thought to be unimaginable.We have pictured a world
in which technology’s purpose is to solve our greatest challenges.When we put our mind, heart,
soul, investment, and perseverance into realizing our goals, we can achieve anything. If we dare to
imagine the impossible to be possible, if we reach beyond what we believe to be our boundaries,
there are no limits to what we can accomplish.

Within the preceding tech chapters, we traveled throughout the exciting landscapes of the 4IR.
Along our journey we experienced coral reefs restored via 3D printing, skies cleaned by smog-
eating advanced materials, manufacturing lines enhanced with robots, energy savings on the
blockchain, and augmented crop yields thanks to AI. And we imagined the 6G network bringing us
new realities that lead to a greater universal existence.

Tech for Good is here now.We are immersed in it. It is no longer a theoretical concept on the
distant horizon.While imagining the 4IR, the blending of digital and physical technologies creates
a vast and expansive landscape of Tech for Good innovations. As we have only just begun this
journey, countless technological advancements are still to come on the road ahead.Throughout our
tech journey, we have seen that technology, when really applied with a purpose for good, makes a
significant contribution to our Global Goals.We must continue imagining, adapting, and discovering
as we scale to unprecedented heights.

The #TechforGood movement requires a collective, global effort. Imagine if tech companies,
governments, industry, civil society, and researchers alike joined in to unlock the potential of
technologies to address the SDGs.We have imagined a world that moves beyond celebrating a few
brilliant business cases and enters the realm of unlimited potential.We must put our imagination
into action and invest money, time, and expertise into this agenda. Not only will we be required
to find new ways of working together to unlock innovations, but humanity must accelerate
#TechforGood with impactful and sustainable solutions.

If we truly want to achieve the Global Goals, businesses must be action-driven by leveraging
technologies to reach their full potential. Demonstrating how Tech for Good can achieve the
Global Goals while creating commercial business opportunities was ultimately my personal
purpose for this book. It was my mission to inspire the reader to see the vast possibilities, rather
than accept the status quo.Tech for Good ultimately teaches us we do not have to accept this.
Along with business, and the global community, let’s first imagine, then work toward creating, a
sustainable, thriving world.

Join the Tech for Good movement today.

342
TECH FOR GOOD

THE FILM
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