Silicon Valley has long dominated the popular imagination as the perceived epicentre of preeminent research and development. But it is Europe’s technology sector that is the unsung hero of the past two decades for its success in the field of semiconductors, a driving force behind “the internet of things” (IoT).

The IoT, which connects devices over the internet, letting them talk to us as well as with each other, is set for growth in various ways. Devices are increasingly relying on 3D sensors, which are heavily reliant on semiconductors. We believe we’re on the cusp of a step change with the next generation of smartphones potentially being the catalyst for this. As we enter the new iPhone cycle this September, the iPhone 8’s 3D sensing abilities have the potential to inspire a host of new technologies which hasn’t been the case with the last few models.