CAMBRIDGE, England—Autonomous and electric vehicles will drive demand for printed electronics over the next decade, according to a new report by IDTechEx. 

While many European automotive OEMs work toward expanding their market globally, they often prefer their components to be made locally. One supplier that many German carmakers rely on for printed circuit board assemblies is DELTEC Automotive GmbH & Co. KG (DAGC).

By 2030, electronics content will account for 50 percent of an automobile’s total production cost. Earlier this decade, it was only 30 percent.

FAIRFIELD, CT—Scientists at GE are experimenting with a technology, called Direct Write, that uses special “inks” to print miniature sensors directly inside jet engines, gas turbines and other hot, harsh and hard-to-reach places.