Every day, technology gets more advanced, and it seems like we are inching ever closer to the high-tech worlds depicted in many science fiction stories. Today we bring you just a few of the tech innovations that people are more looking forward to in the future.
- More sophisticated AI systems
By building better artificial intelligence or AI models, many elements of science fiction can be achieved. For example, the movie Her has the protagonist communicate with an AI, which adapts and learns to hold meaningful conversations. While we already have chatbots today, it’s often too apparent that they are not human, sometimes replying with stiff and stilted dialogue. Companies are slowly improving their AI models with the help of services like Dataloop.ai. Besides serving as conversational partners, better AI can lead to more practical applications like image-to-text translations, disaster prediction models, self-driving cars, etc.
- Robots
While more sophisticated AI means better functioning robots, people are also looking forward to creating humanoid robots. Scientists and engineers believe that making robots look more convincing will make them more effective at their jobs. For example, a childcare robot may be more amenable to children if they looked human instead of a hulking mass of metal. Additionally, current robots still have many limitations in terms of movement. With advancements in hardware, we’ll have robots to perform feats like lifting heavy loads or running at record-breaking speeds. This could have lifesaving uses in fields like search and rescue and law enforcement.
- Flying cars
Flying cars have been a fantasy for many of us for a long time. Everyone has had thoughts of flying over traffic and cutting down their commute time. For now, several companies already have prototypes available. However, many limitations still exist, like poor fuel efficiency and impractical design, not to mention the lack of legislation present should flying cars be sold to the masses. Lawmakers will have to make a new set of rules since having a driver’s license does not automatically qualify you to fly a plane. If more citizens use airspace for travel, they will also need to pass laws and regulations on where they’re allowed to fly and at what altitude.
- Gene editing
When scientists first introduced the possibility of gene editing, there were equal parts apprehension and excitement. This technology could not only cure people with genetic diseases like anemia, cystic fibrosis, and Down syndrome, but they can also rid the world of them. These genetic disorders are caused by one or more mutations in the DNA, and with gene editing, these mutations can be fixed. However, the apprehension comes when people realized that this technology could also enhance living creatures.
Humans could be made stronger, faster, and even with abilities like enhanced vision and hearing. This could potentially lead to an era of a military force consisting of “super soldiers”. There are also ethical concerns about editing an infant’s gene to ensure they get their parents’ desired traits, such as the mother’s eye color or the father’s height. So far, gene editing has not been made available to the public, but it’s hoped that when it is, it will be tightly regulated to ensure that the technology is only used for good intentions.
- Accessible ultra-high-speed internet
Imagine a world where there’s no buffering when you watch a video, or you can download a 5GB file in a blink. While some internet service providers boast fast internet, it still hasn’t achieved its maximum potential. Mobile internet still faces stability and speed issues depending on where you are. People are also insisting that the internet be made available to everyone. The past few years have proven that the internet is a necessity. It’s no exaggeration to say that everyone looks forward to the day internet is made faster and more accessible.
- Renewable energy
One of the biggest concerns of this generation is the rapidly depleting resources. We have been heavily reliant on nonrenewable resources like fossil fuel for the past centuries, and we are steadily approaching our limit. Scientists have developed solar panels, hydropower, and wind turbines as alternative sources of energy, but it’s still not widely used yet. It’s too costly to completely phase out the existing infrastructure to replace them with ones more geared towards renewable energy. Additionally, since renewable energy is reliant on the forces of nature, it’s hard to maintain energy output and control where plants are built. For example, wind power stations are best installed in windy areas like the ocean or flatlands. However, these areas are usually far from residential areas, and the current technology can’t distribute renewable energy over long distances. Hopefully, with more support from investors and local governments, the process of switching to renewable energy will be expedited.
- Fast-charging batteries
Considering how almost everyone has a smartphone, and electric cars are becoming more popular, manufacturers are racing to develop batteries that last longer and charge faster. No one likes being burdened with the additional weight of a power bank to ensure their phone battery doesn’t run dry when they’re travelling. Additionally, many electric car users have their travel time limited by their car battery. Based on recent news about a company developing a battery that can charge to full after only a few minutes, it’s likely we’ll be seeing this technology on new devices very soon.
- Accessible space travel
Elon Musk has been advocating for space travel for years, and it seems like it’s slowly becoming a reality. Back in the 1900s, it was likely that people also thought air travel was impossible, but we see now that air travel has become quite commonplace. So maybe space travel will become an easy feat for us someday too.
It’s exciting to remember that there could be innovations to come that are just beyond our imagination. What if we get VR games with tactile capabilities? Or realistic holograms? Whatever the future may bring, we can only hope that it will be used to improve our quality of life.
