Self-drive cars and connected home solutions found their way onto the upside Gartner's 2015 Hype Cycle, while hybrid cloud computing began a descent into the cycle's "trough of disillusionment."

Stamford, Conn.-based research firm Gartner released its annual Hype Cycle report earlier this week, and while the inclusion of self-driving cars and connected home solutions represent the only major changes, it's interesting to note that hybrid cloud computing, wearables, machine learning and consumer 3D printing have all begun a dip into what Gartner calls the "trough of disillusionment."

The cycle follows technologies through a cycle beginning at "innovation trigger," and proceeding through the "peak of inflated expectations," a "trough of disillusionment," a "slope of enlightenment," and on to the "plateau of productivity."

Gartner estimates that hybrid cloud computing is between two and five years from the plateau, while wearables, machine learning and consumer 3D printing are all staid to be five-10 years from plateau. Enterprise 3D printing, meanwhile, is on the "slope of enlightenment," and 2-5 years from plateau.

The cycle is important because it helps businesses evaluate which technologies are likely to have the most impact and when, according to Betsy Burton, vice president and distinguished analyst at Gartner.

"As enterprises continue the journey to becoming digital businesses, identifying and employing the right technologies at the right time will be critical," Burton said.