UK-based market research and consulting firm, Juniper Research, has unveiled its Top 10 Emerging Tech Trends for 2026, with cutting-edge technologies like neuromorphic computing, physical AI, and post-quantum cryptography taking centre stage. These are the technologies poised to reshape how businesses plan and invest in technology over the next few years.
The 10 trends are ranked by Juniper Research by the impact they are expected to make. The paper cites 2026 as an important juncture for adoption and deployment. The report essentially could be taken as a potential roadmap and a guide to technology domains that, in time, will require strategic attention.
The key trends from Juniper Research’s insights are as follows:
- Post-quantum cryptography (PQC): The focus is shifting from theory to hybrid IoT solutions in the real world. IoT vendors should be prepared for long-term changes in security standards and encryption to ensure device and data protection.
- Neuromorphic computing: These are “commercial chipsets” designed to address AI bottlenecks, with the prospect of several launches coming up in 2026.
- Physical AI: Humanoid robotics technology is expected to advance its presence over the next three years with improvements in autonomy and dexterity. Expect to see the benefits in logistics and industrial applications.
- Multi-agent systems: Companies are expected to use more specialist AI agents that are designed to automate specific business tasks or domains.
- Wireless EV charging: There are strong indications that suggest there will be faster deployment of wireless charging infrastructure, encouraging a wider adoption of EVs.
- Counter-drone technology: With threats escalating in war zones and conflict areas worldwide, greater investment in new detection and mitigation technologies is forecast.
- Microfluidics: This next-generation cooling method is set to receive greater interest as a response to the thermal density challenges that face data centres, especially those powering AI analytics for IoT analytics.
- Multi-cloud models: Outages in 2025 threw into relief the need for more resilient cloud strategies, which is leading to wider adoption of multi-cloud setups as end-users look to escape single points of failure in the cloud. This may not necessarily relate to multi-cloud topologies for production systems, but decision-makers are expected to examine network service providers offering DNS, proxying, and content distribution.
- Small modular reactors (SMRs): Regulatory approvals could shift long-term energy planning processes for connected industries, with initial contracts currently negotiated by large technology operators with operators.
- Open-source smart buildings: Interoperable platforms designed to communicate and coordinate effectively in a bid to reduce energy use and enhance overall efficiency. The emphasis will be on interoperability as building owners attempt to avoid vendor lock-in.
The 10 themes indicate a move towards scalability and a degree of maturity in an industry that, with time, is becoming more resilient. The move to more long-term scaling and provision will be particularly evident in businesses deploying IoT in critical national infrastructure, where reliability and security are essential.
Molly Gatford, senior research analyst at Juniper Research, said why she believes 2026 marks a key turning point. “Across security, compute, energy, and infrastructure, organisations are being forced to make real deployment decisions on technologies that were theoretical only a few years ago. The challenge facing enterprises in 2026 will be how quickly they can adopt these technologies without increasing risk or complexity, and whether they have the organisational readiness to do so at scale.”
Technologies that were once theoretical and speculative have moved out of research and prototyping status, and are now developing quickly, often faster than companies can implement them effectively. Juniper Research hopes businesses can use its report to find a new balance between innovation and resilience.
Advances in computing, energy systems, automation, and cybersecurity are creating opportunities for those managing IoT and industrial systems, but will only be viable if decision-makers can manage and control the increased complexity these technologies and the challenges surrounding their integration into legacy systems effectively.
(Image source: “Fluid dynamic # 1” by mr.beaver is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 2.0.)
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