Simplicity and ease of use manifest themselves in many ways.  The same applies to AC drives, and the way they facilitate the quest for miniaturization.  The fact that AC drives can be used in domestic washing machines, to name one example, is a testimony to their extreme compactness.  Over the years, AC drives have become smaller, more capable, easier to use, and cheaper by orders of magnitude.

It is common for smaller drives to install easier.  Panel builders are able to fit more AC drives into a standard cubicle, and in so doing enabling panels to be smaller.  This paves the way for smaller and cheaper control rooms.  AC drives have also become easier for OEMs to fit into equipment.  A good example of this is cranes, an application that always has had limited space for drives.

A reduction in drive size have also resulted from the use of fewer components, greater packing density, improvements in semiconductor technology, and improved cooling techniques.  It then comes as no surprise that there has been a tenfold decrease in the size of AC drives over the past 10 years.