for the next great wave of innovation

Say one thing for the burst dot-com bubble: It sent manufacturers scrambling for the next great gotta-have-it idea that will capture the imagination of potential customers. But no question that a punk economy has made it tough for even the most innovative concepts to get traction with consumers.

Nevertheless, these obstacles haven't stopped the wheels of progress. In the pages that follow, Machine Design looks at trends unfolding in technology and design likely to pave the way for show-stopping products. Watch for the second part of our review in the Feb. 6 issue.