IoT in 2026: Four trending topics

The technologies that underpin connected devices are accelerating on multiple fronts - from new forms of intelligence at the edge to radically different deployment models. Here, we explore four trends that could define IoT in 2026, along with what they might signal for the future of battery and energy design.

1. Edge processing reaches a new level of maturity

We covered AI at the edge on the Energizing IoT blog last year. Edge computing brings machine-learning inference directly onto IoT devices, reducing reliance on remote cloud processing.

It is already opening up new possibilities for IoT applications, and 2026 may well be the year it takes the next step. Even modest devices are beginning to carry compact neural networks, accelerating response times while protecting sensitive data by keeping it on-device.

This shift offers clear benefits including lower latency, less bandwidth usage, and more responsiveness - but it also changes power demands

Running AI locally increases computation, memory access, and heat generation, all of which place additional burden on batteries.

Conversely, by processing data on-device, Edge AI can cut the energy cost of data transmission and enable smarter power management whereby devices can dynamically adjust their activity, only wake when needed, and filter data before sending.

To balance these trade-offs, developers will need to choose batteries that suit these new power profiles.

2. The Rise of predictive health and ‘wellbeing’ IoT

Predictive personal health and wellbeing is rapidly becoming one of the most dynamic sectors in the IoT landscape.

Growth is driven by advances in compact biosensors, more comfortable wearable designs, and the increasing integration of AI into consumer and medical devices. Beyond traditional fitness trackers, the market now includes smart patches, sensor-embedded textiles, discreet environmental monitors, and at-home diagnostic tools capable of detecting early physiological changes.

With AI-enhanced signal processing, these devices can extract meaningful insights from subtle biometric patterns including sleep quality, shifts in a person’s hydration, surrounding air-quality and even their posture.

This evolution is being driven by global trends; several countries with aging populations, rising workplace safety priorities, and a wider shift toward proactive, preventive healthcare.

As our capability to support personal healthcare through technology increases, so will the demand for reliable, miniaturized power sources that can operate efficiently over long lifetimes.

3. Energy harvesting and adaptive power intelligence

Energy harvesting isn’t a new idea. But in the IoT space, 2026 could be the year it moves from niche to mainstream.

Solar, thermal, and vibrational harvesting are increasingly being combined with smarter software that can adapt to fluctuating energy availability. Devices no longer need to follow fixed duty cycles and instead they make autonomous decisions about when to sense, transmit, or sleep.

This shift is particularly important in applications where access to the devices is limited, e.g., structural monitoring, wildlife conservation, or smart agriculture.

Many of these application designs now rely on hybrid power with batteries supplemented by harvested energy, extending operational life significantly.

Want to know more? Read about Saft’s partnership with MEMSYS, a collaborative project that will examine the technical and commercial viability of a new type of wireless power source for the IIoT market.

4. Additional security built into the hardware

Security is no longer just a software issue.

Lightweight cryptographic accelerators, secure boot chains, and hardware roots of trust are becoming standard even in ultra-lowpower chips. Zero-trust design principles are increasingly adapted to IoT - assuming that every device, network segment, and update channel must be authenticated.

The challenge for developers is in ensuring that these additional security measures don’t excessively drain power. That might mean adopting new firmware or communication protocols, but it may also mean exploring a new power source.

When applications are altered to bring in new levels of security, it’s worth checking if there is a knock-on effect on the energy profile of each device. After all, there are significant security risks if a device loses power and fails.

What does this mean for batteries?

The IoT landscape of 2026 will be defined by intelligence, scale, and autonomy. That means a need for batteries and power systems that can support these additional demands efficiently and responsibly.

Demand for ultra-long-life primary cells will continue to rise, particularly in industrial environments where maintenance is difficult or expensive. Plus, as outdoor and infrastructure deployments expand in new environments, consistent performance across wide temperature ranges becomes ever more critical.

Devices with on-board intelligence (Edge AI or similar) will also require higher peak-current capability to support local processing and secure data transmissions.

Much of this demand can be met with quality battery solutions – and choosing the right battery for the right device. But we’ll also see hybrid power solutions that pair batteries with energy harvesting gain traction across certain sectors (wearables, asset tags, structural sensors, etc.).