AIM-Ds half-year survey for the second half of 2025 reveals an optimistic outlook among AutoID and AIDC providers. Despite global challenges such as the Ukraine conflict, labor shortages, and rising energy costs, nearly 75 percent of members report stable or improved business performance. The findings highlight focus on artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and the digital product passport. Additionally, wireless IoT connectivity and automation are critical enablers for greater overall operational efficiency.
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AIM-D Members Report 75% Stable Or Improved Business Conditions
Members of AIM-D e.V. report an improvement in business in the second half of 2025 according to the trend barometer. Nearly seventy-five percent of companies characterize their situation as stable or improved, compared with approximately sixty percent in the same period in 2024. The proportion anticipating a market downturn has almost halved. Close to eighty-five percent of respondents forecast stabilization or enhancement of their business conditions in the coming year.
Seventy Percent Firms Cite AI as Key Future Driver
Seventy percent of respondents in the survey named Artificial Intelligence as a key future growth driver, a ten-percentage-point increase over the previous term. The Digital Product Passport (DPP) was considered important by sixty-eight percent. Cybersecurity issues, including the EU Radio Equipment Directive and the Cyber Resilience Act, were noted by thirty-eight percent despite a decline. Anti-counterfeiting measures achieved eighteen percent, while Manufacturing X and industrial data spaces accounted ten percent.
AI, Quantum Computing, Energy Harvesting Drive Future AutoID Innovations
Survey respondents identified artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and energy harvesting as key future technologies, alongside established AutoID components such as RFID and sensor integration. They emphasized Bluetooth Low Energy for low-power connectivity and advanced vision systems for enhanced object recognition. By integrating these emerging solutions with traditional identification tools, organizations can achieve significant gains in operational efficiency, data accuracy, and process automation across manufacturing and logistics environments, driving smarter workflows.
Optical Identification Demand Rises Significantly To Thirty-Eight Percent Year-Over-Year
Market demand trends in AutoID segments show varied results. Optical identification demand increased to 38 percent from 26 percent. Labeling solutions climbed from 17 to 27 percent. RFID and NFC interest stood at 61 percent, below last years 65 percent. Real-time locating systems grew to 18 percent from 12 percent. Vision systems jumped to 30 percent from 10 percent, while sensor adoption remained steady at 23 percent versus 24 percent.
Majority Of AIM-D Members Cite Regulations As Growth Challenge
In a recent survey, 75 percent of AIM-D members identified regulatory frameworks and compliance requirements as the primary obstacle, citing CE marking processes and the EU Cybersecurity Directive. Labor market constraints were deemed problematic by 36 percent, while 25 percent reported supply chain disruptions. Additionally, 36 percent of participants highlighted technological innovation and associated standardization efforts as barriers, underscoring the critical need for consistent norms and adequate resources and funding.
AIDC Technologies Drive Process Automation, Digitization for Industry 5.0
Despite ongoing geopolitical and economic challenges, the AIDC community retains process automation and value chain digitization as its primary expertise. According to Peter Altes, CEO of AIM-D e.V., AIDC technologies function largely invisibly, enabling autonomous manufacturing and logistics operations. During instability, these solutions primarily offer robust support for Industry 4.0 deployment, wireless IoT, IIoT connectivity, and they establish essential infrastructure that facilitates the evolution toward fully realized Industry 5.0 applications.
AIM-D Survey Shows Resilience Through Automation And Digital Transformation
The survey demonstrates that AIM-D member firms maintain business performance and are embracing technology trends despite conditions. AIDC and AutoID solutions underpin deployments of artificial intelligence, cybersecurity measures, the Digital Product Passport, and wireless IoT applications. As digitalization and automation accelerate, the industry achieves higher efficiency and resilience. However, success will hinge on coherent regulatory frameworks, standardization efforts, and the availability of qualified professionals to support sustainable expansion and innovation.
