The driver is ofcourse a "need" or a "vision".  Any technology that is developed without these is not sustainable.  Rising fuel prices drive the need for super efficient "combustion" through technology.  It is bound to be an interesting project study to any aspiring Engineering student to see how "combustion" has evolved over the years.  From the conventional method of mixing fuel with air under certain pressure and creating a mixture through carburettors, we have moved on to Digital Fuel Injection.  The CRDI (Common Rail Direct Injection) engines have taken combustion to a different level of efficiency.   Now there could be more to come in the next few years.  Of late it is compressed air or a combination of compressed air which mixes with the fuel in really small quantities.  Today's cars offer you such fuel efficiency which were once offered by two-stroke two wheelers. 

Let us consider memory devices across various electronic systems that we use everyday.  A leading memory devices manufacturing company feels that the need for storage is increasing and the memory devices therefore have to more powerful but occupy lesser and lesser space in any electronic equipment.  This vision drives the technology for power packed storage devices. Now, the need for memory is addressed by Technology.  This extends to the smallest of all utility devices like the mobile phone.       

What is the purpose of Innovation?  Innovation should be able to offer value added solution to a problem or a challenge that improves quality, saves time and optimises on cost. 

Consider "Vibration and noise reduction" in cars, aeroplanes, generator sets and many other machines which contribute directly to "better living".  This is being achieved through a series of innovation across the entire chain of the manufacturing process.  Many automobile companies analyse the noise created by studying all the moving parts in the body of an automobile and try to reduce the noise that is created by friction step by step so that the vehicle is less noisy when put on the road.  They analyse the materials used and substitute materials wherever required and pad up wherever it is not possible to compromise on the friction.  There is an interesting case of a prestigeous brand of car  which took it upon itself to reduce noise inside the passenger cabin after the doors and windows are closed.  Well the cabin noise was reduced to the minimum yet, customers experienced noise and reported the same to the company.  On further analysis it was discovered that the company had failed to take into account the noise created by the wind dashing against the windows and the windscreens of the cars which created this noise.  This was not to be ignored.  The company, a very conscious customer friendly company, altered the design suitably to reduce this noise.    This is an example of innovation which could find a solution to a problem which was impacting the ride experience of a customer. 

Can you imagine that there is innovation in the ordinary PET bottle "cap".  Once it was not easy to have a bottle flat in your luggage for the fear of water or the liquid inside would leak from the cap.  Innovation in design of the cap led to a situation today that you can carry a bottle of water upside down all through your journey with no water spilling out of the cap ( I am referring to the containers provided by large branded manufacturers of soft drinks).   Innovation is possible in a product or process in a manufacturing organisation.  There are many innovations in the supply chain management process across many manufacturing organisations.  The Research and Development process too has many innovations to its credit by which the overall cycle time of new product development has been reduced substantially.      

“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.” says Albert Einstein.  Is Technology all to do with "logic" and "Innovation" is about Imagination..I prefer leaving the judgement to the readers.