Ask HN: What Software Solutions Does Your Industry Need?

I'm a seasoned programmer with over 20 years of experience. Recently, I've found myself pondering about potential new projects or hobbies to undertake. However, the ideas that spring to mind are typically generic - creating social media platforms or developing tools like programming languages, compilers, editors, etc.

While these are viable projects, I can't shake the feeling that there are more engaging and beneficial opportunities out there. The challenge? I'm somewhat tethered by my lack of knowledge of other fields and industries.

I've thus been contemplating the idea of spending an hour or two daily over the next few years to delve into a new field, like chemistry, biology, nanorobotics, etc. Now, I don't intend to become an expert in these fields, but my goal is to operate at the intersection of software engineering and these domains. I want to leverage my programming skills to bring something new to another industry.

With this in mind, I'm reaching out to those of you who have experience in other industries. What challenges do you face that could potentially be alleviated by software? What software solutions do you think are missing? Do you deal with any frustrating or exorbitantly priced, yet essential software? Moreover, which fields do you think hold promise for an experienced software engineer like myself?

I'm also keen on understanding the intricacies of your industries. What exactly do you do, discover, or create? Your insights will be greatly appreciated and could potentially shape the direction of my next projects.

I look forward to hearing from you!