34 Examples of Innovative Products, Sorted By Industry (2024)

We live in a world where a small device can filter fresh air right in your own home, and a battery-powered machine can clean the floor of your house without you intervening. The technological landscape is always evolving, with innovative products emerging at incredible speeds. Companies large and small constantly create devices, services, and tools that make life easier, healthier, and more fun.

Product innovation has the power to revolutionize industries, create new jobs, and even explore the far reaches of space. Here are some notable examples to inspire your next brainstorming session.

You can find examples of innovative products in just about every sector of the retail world. Some are available in retail stores, some are available online, and some are available only to enterprise customers. Here are examples of innovative products, organized by industry:

Health and wellness

Amazing innovations in the health and wellness sector have improved the quality of life for people around the world. Examples include:

Portable water purifiers. Portable water purifiers like LifeStraw allow you to safely drink from contaminated water sources, making them great for emergencies and outdoor activities.

Smart inhalers. Inhalers like Propeller Health track usage and provide data to manage respiratory conditions more effectively.

Sleep trackers. SleepScore Max and other sleep trackers monitor and analyze sleep patterns to improve sleep quality.

Telemedicine kits. Portable kits like digiMed are equipped with diagnostic tools for remote medical consultations.

Environment and sustainability

Breakthroughs in environmental technology have allowed the mass production of equipment and structures that minimize the use of fossil fuels, save water, and cut down on landfill waste. There are some awesome examples, such as:

Biodegradable packaging. Biodegradable packaging materials decompose naturally, reducing plastic waste.

Home biogas systems. Home biogas systems like HomeBiogas convert organic waste into cooking gas and liquid fertilizer, temporarily trapping carbon in the process.

Vertical farming systems. AeroFarms and other vertical farming systems use vertical space and controlled environments to grow food in urban areas, reducing land use and water consumption.

Solar roof tiles. Tiles like Tesla’s Solar Roof look like traditional roofing materials but function as solar panels, integrating carbon-free power into the structure of a house or commercial building.

Technology and gadgets

Thanks to engineering feats people once thought were impossible, the technology sector has developed all sorts of equipment to provide convenience to customers. Here are some cool examples:

AI-powered personal assistants. Apps like Google Assistant and Siri use artificial intelligence to perform tasks, answer questions, and manage schedules.

Smartphones. Before their introduction, the idea of having a powerful computer and phone in a single device seemed impossible, but now billions of people use smartphones like the iPhone and the Google Pixel.

Foldable smartphones. Foldable smartphones like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold combine the portability of a smartphone with the screen size of a tablet.

Wearable health monitors. Wearable monitors like the Oura Ring offer insights into your fitness, stress, and overall health—even tracking your sleep patterns all night long.

Smart home hubs. Amazon Echo and Google Nest Hub are two examples of centralized devices that control various smart home gadgets and systems through voice commands.

Intelligent thermostats. Able to adjust your home’s temperature based on your behavior and preferences, devices like the Nest Learning Thermostat optimize energy use and keep the indoor climate within a prescribed range.

Smart locks. Smart locks like the August Smart Lock allow keyless entry and remote access control for improved home security.

Smart plugs. Smart plugs such as the TP-Link Kasa allow you to control electrical outlets remotely, so you can turn a light or fan on or off via a smartphone app without a costly installation process.

Smart glasses. Gadgets like Apple’s AR Glasses integrate augmented reality into eyewear for hands-free interaction with digital information.

Wireless charging surfaces. Your devices can charge without cables when you place them on designed magnetic surfaces like the WiTricity.

Voice-activated wearable translators. Providing real-time translations of spoken languages, devices like the Pocketalk break down communication barriers.

Consumer goods

A business doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel to be innovative. You can create an innovative product by improving on a consumer good that has long been on the market, like these successful examples:

Self-cleaning water bottles. The LARQ and other self-cleaning bottles use UV-C LED light to purify water and self-clean.

Smart luggage. Featuring built-in GPS, charging ports, and weight sensors, smart luggage brands epitomize modern travel convenience.

Reusable notebooks. Allowing users to write, scan, and erase notes, reusable notebooks like the Rocketbook combine the tactile feel of writing with the convenience of digital storage.

Powered standing desks. Users can mechanically raise and lower adjustable desks like those from Uline and Uplift to work from either a seated or standing position.

Smart mirrors. Smart mirrors like CareOS mirrors integrate digital displays for fitness tracking, virtual try-ons, and personalized health information.

Education and entertainment

Innovation and creativity flourish in the educational space. Many ed-tech companies use innovations to help students realize their potential. Whether you’re a child or an adult, there’s an innovative course or service out there to help you learn, including:

Educational robots. Brands like Sphero teach coding and robotics to children in an engaging, hands-on manner.

VR headsets. VR headsets like the Oculus Quest 2 provide virtual reality experiences for gaming and education using highly immersive display elements, so you can learn without ever leaving your room.

Smart musical instruments. Combining multiple instruments in one, smart instruments like the Artiphon Instrument 1 enable users to play various sounds with a single device.

Transportation

Technological advances have brought enhanced safety, performance, and convenience to the transportation industry. Innovation has also transformed how we power vehicles, with batteries often replacing liquid fuels. This has many observers excited for a carbon-free transportation future. Here are some transportation innovations:

Electric vehicles. Cars like the Chevrolet Bolt reduce reliance on fossil fuels and lower emissions.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft (eVTOL). These personal and commercial aircraft take off and land vertically, revolutionizing urban air mobility.

Solid-state batteries. A nascent technology that would let large car batteries charge at a faster speed, these hold up longer over repeated charges.

Others

In nearly every industry, you can find a company looking for ways to address consumer pain points, introduce users to new technologies, and save people money. Some other innovations making their way to market are:

3D-printed houses. Using 3D printing technology to construct houses reduces waste and costs.

Portable power stations. Portable power stations like the Goal Zero Yeti provide a reliable power source for off-grid adventures or emergencies.

Lab-grown meat. Producers create this meat in a lab setting without the need for animal slaughter.

Advanced robotics. With improved dexterity and AI capabilities, robots can perform complex tasks and interact with the environment more naturally.

Innovative products FAQ

What is an example of an innovative product?

A smart mirror, which combines a traditional mirror with digital displays, is an example of an innovative product. It comes in handy for trying on clothes, tracking your fitness goals, and monitoring your overall health.

How do you come up with an innovative product idea?

When brainstorming innovative product ideas, imagine something that the market needs but that doesn’t yet exist. Focus on problems you’d like to solve in your everyday life first and worry about feasibility and scalability later.

Are innovative products risky?

Launching any new product is risky, whether it’s innovative or not. To minimize risk, conduct a market evaluation to confirm that your new product would have a viable customer base. You can cultivate your own market, as Mimi Ikonn did for her Luxy Hair brand when she embarked on a YouTube marketing strategy. “Whenever I made the videos, it was very much an organic sell,” Mimi explains. A robust target market is a sign that your innovative product may succeed.

34 Examples of Innovative Products, Sorted By Industry