Smart devices that detect and prevent illness will help a healthcare sector under unprecedented pressure.
The 2020 global health crisis disrupted essential healthcare services in 90% of countries^[1]. According to this Vodafone study, in the next 10 years, homes will be equipped with products that proactively monitor health and diagnose conditions, detecting potential health problems earlier and facilitating a preventative healthcare model that could save the healthcare sector €39 billion annually^[2].
The report predicts that bathroom mirrors could be equipped with sensors that check blood flow and abnormal changes in skin color; or that smart speakers could automatically request a prescription upon detecting sounds like coughing and sneezing. These devices will be able to assess vital measurements such as hydration, blood sugar, and blood pressure to predict or prevent chronic health conditions before they develop. Connected care will also be critical to increasing independence among a constantly aging population, enabling people to live independently for longer and giving family members and caregivers the reassurance that their loved ones will be okay.

By 2030, consumers will be able to control their wearables with their thoughts.
Outside the home environment, wearable devices will be able to go beyond voice control and interact directly with the user's thoughts, the report suggests. With the number of connected devices projected to reach 125 billion worldwide by 2030 [3], smart solutions that seamlessly integrate into people's lives will be a key trend in the next decade. Specifically in Spain, this trend is becoming increasingly noticeable, given that the percentage of digital adoption among the population has risen from 84% to 96% as a result of the Covid-19 crisis^[4].
Instead of responding to sound, these brain-computer interfaces will detect the signals that the brain automatically sends to the mouth when we "say" words in our heads, allowing users to give commands to their smart assistants without having to speak aloud. This opens up the possibility of a screen-free future or a metaverse in which communication with devices occurs through neural networks that allow users to take mental notes or communicate silently with their devices.

'Connected nature' could help reduce global emissions by up to a third and help meet the 2030 targets^[5].
With less than 10 years to meet the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees, connectivity will be a key partner in global efforts to restore and manage biodiversity, providing real-time information on the state of our environment. By the end of the decade, connectivity is expected to be embedded in trees, grasslands, and even oceans, enabling the monitoring of the impact of regeneration plans and the assessment of potential threats. Vodafone has recently partnered with Defra and Forest Research to investigate how Narrowband-IoT (NB-IoT) technology can monitor tree growth and support research on the role of trees in combating climate change.
Data collection will also enable smart cities to identify and reuse excess energy, allowing unused energy and heat from buildings to be redistributed to surrounding homes or public spaces. Consumers are aware of the fundamental role they will play in making this trend a reality. So much so that more than 90% of Spanish consumers are willing to change their habits to combat climate change[6]. Thus, the study predicts that tools will be developed to help consumers make more conscious decisions, such as the creation of digital "birth certificates" that show the movements and origins of products to assess their environmental footprint.

Autonomous vehicles will use holograms and AI to create in-car retail spaces.
Smart cities and autonomous vehicles are poised to transform how we move, and the impact of transport connectivity on GDP is expected to reach €241 billion by 2030[7]. Autonomous vehicles will not only be greener and quieter, but, through immersive holograms, will allow e-commerce brands to showcase their latest collections to passengers as they travel. The report's findings suggest that passengers will be able to hover over products and even be guided to a retail destination to make a purchase. Upon entering a vehicle, passengers will be able to control their journey via their personal devices, pre-selecting from a range of settings, from tourism to work and leisure, to create a fully personalized passenger experience.

Personal data will become a new form of currency.
As awareness of the value of personal data grows, future consumers will demand hyper-personalized services and experiences in return. With 44% of people worldwide preferring to forgo personalized content rather than share information, the report predicts that personal data will become a currency that brands will have to pay for or offer in exchange for an enhanced experience.
The CC2030 report also explores the human behaviors shaping future innovation, including concerns about physical and mental well-being, as well as the demand for cities to function better for people after extended periods of lockdown. 
Lutfu Kitapci, Managing Director of Vodafone Smart Tech, says: “Over the past two years, connectivity has become woven into the fabric of our daily lives, helping people stay connected to the people and things that matter most and tackle everyday challenges. The findings of 'The Connected Consumer 2030' report highlight the accelerating pace of this transformation and how we will be at its heart with our connectivity solutions, helping governments, businesses, and consumers address society’s biggest challenges.”

You can download the full report (in English) by clicking here