i3 - May/June 2016 - 47

Business

The U.S. Census
reports more than

56 million

Five Takeaways
from UPS/CTA
Research

Americans have
some form of disability

*****

3D printing is forecasted to be a $21.2
billion market by
2020, almost triple
its current size.

*****

The medical, aerospace, automotive and consumer
products/electronics
industries account
for 67 percent of 3D
printing use.

*****

Prototyping is the top
use for 3D printing,
but custom shortrun production is
the fastest growing
application.

*****

Cost is the primary
barrier to adoption
of 3D printing.

*****

Jose Luis Pelaez/Glow Images

By 2020, the average
speed for 3D printing
is expected to increase by 50 percent.

is an evolving technology. Slow equipment
speed and limited
materials remain key
obstacles. And some
potential users think it's
still too expensive. But
the industry is advancing fast, and these barriers eventually will be
things of the past.
C TA . t e c h / i 3

SPOTLIGHT
ON
ACCESSIBILITY
MARKET
OPPORTUNITY

ccessibility was a major focus at CES
2016. The new Accessibility Marketplace, the Accessibility Innovations
Award Winners, the CTA Foundation's Tech to
Improve Lives winners in Eureka Park, panels, interviews, CESTV spots, and many other
activities were part of the action packed week.
The increased focus reflects the opportunities
for technology to improve the way we age or
experience disability and the prospects for companies to reach these growing markets.
Every day more than 10,000 Americans turn
65. The Baby Boomer generation is maintaining
its relationship with technology into retirement, and in many cases, has the buying power
to adopt innovative devices to help them stay
connected and maintain their independence.
A recent AARP report estimates the opportunity in the caregiving market will reach $72
billion in 2020, and between 2016 and 2020
the estimated total will grow to $279 billion.
Technology categories including smart home,
wearables, health and fitness, automotive,
robotics and many other areas are part of this
market messaging.
This also creates opportunity for companies

that have accessible products. The U.S. Census reports more than 56 million Americans
have some form of disability, and international
numbers raise that group to more than 1.3 billion. When combined with friends and family
members with an emotional connection to disability issues, a Fifth Quadrant Analytics study
estimates this market controls more than $6.9
trillion in annual disposable income.
This is fueling interest in accessibility within
the technology industry. CES is an excellent
opportunity for companies to highlight the
work that they are doing in this space. Not only
is it good for business, these technologies enable
us all to live longer, healthier and more independent lives.
One method to gain attention for your work
with older adults and people with disabilities
is to join the companies and individuals that
have made tax deductible donations to support the CTA Foundation. You will be highlighted among the leaders supporting these
important issues.
To learn more, visit SupportCTAF.org or contact
Steve Ewell at sewell@CTA-tech.

MAY/JUNE 2016

http://www.cta.tech/foundation http://www.SupportCTAF.org http://CTA.tech/i3

i3 - May/June 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of i3 - May/June 2016