Customers want more customization, purchasing and communication options, constant contact from businesses, and control, according to Customer Experience Insight. The catalyst behind these new consumer demands (and the way businesses will deliver) points to rapid advancements in technology.

We've always relied on cutting-edge technology to take us to new frontiers in business. Today we can’t even fathom doing business, let alone run our personal lives, without the Internet or technology. But with new technologies entering the marketplace, it's difficult to see how they will impact traditional business practices. Here’s a deeper look at how our future will be shaped by technology.

Wearables

Wearable technology has already entered the marketplace with gadgets like the Fitbit or Samsung Gear S2 that monitor our heart rate and exercise routines. Smartwatches can now replace our phones, record audio, take photos and keep track of our day-to-day tasks. The Samsung Gear S2 also responds to voice commands to get directions or start a workout and has GPS turn-by-turn navigation. But wearable tech is poised to do so much more than monitor our heart rates.

Wearables are poised to disrupt industries. Wearable tech should streamline our lives, offer unseen benefits and be able to be worn anywhere. One day our shirts, shoes and gym wear will be able to tell our caregivers, doctors, personal trainers and anyone else about our performance and activity habits by sending all of our data straight to the cloud for download.

Automated Customer Tracking

Self-checkout kiosks once seemed revolutionary, but they could be replaced by automated customer tracking technology. Some restaurants already enable us to order with our devices, watch as our meals magically appear at the table and pay our bill from our smartphones. No waiting around for the waiter required.

Stores are also experimenting with the idea of allowing customers to shop around, pick up merchandise of their choice and walk out with the items. With the help of embedded sensors in the product, our gadgets can send the information needed to the cashier without having to talk face to face.

Augmented Reality

Ever wonder how that rug in the store would look in your bathroom? Or that kitchen remodel in your home? Augmented reality builds a scene out of thin air by simply aiming your smartphone at an object. Augmented reality layers computer-generated information over real-world objects to give us a new image that looks eerily real. Augmented reality apps are becoming more popular as retailers like IKEA let customers see how a chair would look in their living rooms.

Virtual Reality

Virtual reality has been dabbling in the business world for a few years, but it is catching up to mass adoption. Soon real estate agents will be able to show a house to long-distance buyers with the sensation of being right there. Car shoppers will be able to strap on a virtual reality headset and take their dream car for a drive. Virtual reality devices will also continuing to flood the consumer mainstream.