Michael is author of “Ubertrends — How Trends And Innovation Are Transforming Our Future,” entrepreneur, futurist and adjunct professor. To connect with Michael, a top-rated and globally renowned speaker, click button below or call 800-WAY-COOL.

The Nest Learning Thermostat represents disruptive innovation. It overcomes the pain point of traditional thermostats that many fight over by being “smart” and saving money.

Incremental, or “efficiency,” innovations seek to produce the same product or service more cheaply or efficiently and are the most popular type of innovation. Starship robots can make deliveries more consistently and cost-effectively.

The Sharpty Inverted Umbrella is a perfect example of a “think different,” or orthogonal, innovation. The Sharpty closes in the opposite direction, allowing water to be captured instead of dripping on you.

The Celebrity Edge’s Magic Carpet is orthogonal, or “think different,” innovation. Its elevator platform boards many passengers at once while also serving as a restaurant.

Disruptive innovations are those rare inventions that change the way the world works, disrupting industries. Apple will sell more watches in 2019 than the entire Swiss Watch industry combined.