For the vast majority of us, wireless technologies are essentially now ubiquitous in all areas of our lives. Whether we’re using RAIN readers as part of our job in logistics, accessing a menu by scanning a code with our phone, or making an in-store contactless payment, users expect a frictionless experience. This experience is critical to influencing consumer attitudes of the individual wireless technologies.

As RAIN technology looks set to move beyond its role in the B2B space and be directly available to consumers through the imminent inclusion of RAIN Readers in smartphones, the RAIN Alliance recently partnered with Impinj on a 2025 Consumer Survey to evaluate existing attitudes and understanding of RAIN technology.

So, what do consumers already know, and what can we learn from their insights?

1. Those already using RAIN are seeing the benefits

For those working in organizations that have already deployed RAIN solutions, more than 60% of respondents are comfortable with how to use it and the efficiencies it unlocks. Leading the way in this category is the logistics sector, where 74% feel comfortable with the technology. RAIN technology has already proven its value to this sector, allowing goods to be moved through transit centres and warehouses at speed, yet with a fraction of the error rate of manual sorting.

It is therefore no surprise that consumers are recognizing the potential benefits RAIN solutions can bring to other similar high-traffic use. More than a third (34%) of respondents believe RAIN technology can deliver value for airlines looking to optimize their passengers’ baggage transportation. Meanwhile, mitigating the risk of human error is undoubtedly a key driver in the healthcare sector, with more than a quarter (26%) of respondents expressing interest in using RAIN solutions for emerging medical use cases. Countless other sectors, including retail, smart homes, transit, and more are also all primed to benefit from RAIN integration and the unparalleled efficiencies it can unlock; it is great to see consumers recognizing the value of the technology in those industries in this survey.

2. Convenience is the key driver

For any wireless technology to be successful, fundamentally it must make the user’s life easier. When asked to name the primary benefit of RAIN technology, 72% of respondents referenced how it “enhances convenience,” how it “makes things easier,” or how it “simplifies interactions.”

This recognition of RAIN technology’s ability to deliver simple, seamless user experiences demonstrates how consumers are likely to embrace its integration into smartphones. There is clear appetite for RAIN to become a foundational technology for efficiency and convenience across both our work and personal lives. RAIN-enabled smartphones will enable consumers to read tags and interact with connected items, providing countless new opportunities for enhanced customer experiences and use cases.

3. People are excited, especially younger demographics

Interestingly, 59% of those surveyed listed themselves as either “interested” or “excited” about RAIN being used in more areas of daily life. And this figure is especially strong with younger audiences where more than 75% of respondents younger than 44 responded in this way, rising to almost 100% in the sub-24 age group.

As younger audiences move into more senior decision-making positions in the coming years, they bring with them an acceptance of next generation technologies. High comfort levels across a wide variety of applications such as smart homes, healthcare, and education will foster increased trust, which in turn will result in a virtuous cycle of growth and adoption for RAIN technology.

Have your say on the future of RAIN

With key decisions being made on the future of RAIN in smartphones, it is imperative that your voice is heard. The RAIN Alliance enables organizations to improve traceability, effectiveness, and sustainability by simplifying, standardizing and accelerating the adoption of RAIN technology through global collaboration and innovation. Join now to harness the power of RAIN and have your voice heard.

Methodology

The 2025 Consumer Survey was conducted by Censuswide on behalf of Impinj and the RAIN Alliance and was composed of 1,000 participants aged 21 and above in the United States.