In the past few years, virtual reality and augmented reality have become more widely adopted. These technologies merge the physical and digital worlds to enable new experiences.
Imagine a world where genetic diseases like Huntington’s or cystic fibrosis are eradicated. Thanks to a DNA editing technology called Crispr, this could become a reality.
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10 - 3D Printing of Organs
In the future, we may be able to print whole replacement organs. Researchers are using 3D printing to create tissue that mimics the structures of actual human organs. Some printed tissues, such as skin and bone, are already being tested in humans. Other printed structures, like 'organs on a chip', allow pharmaceutical companies to test new drugs without the need for unreliable animal models.
Scientists are a long way from creating fully functional printed organs, but they're getting closer. In 2019, they made a significant breakthrough when they successfully printed a rabbit-sized heart with a network of blood vessels that functioned like natural ones.
If the technology continues to improve, it could eliminate waiting lists for transplants and prevent the need for preclinical research on animals. And, if doctors were able to seed printed organs with patients' own cells, the prints would be less likely to be rejected by their bodies.
9 - Quantum Computing
Many people still consider quantum computing to be science fiction. However, the technology is advancing rapidly and can help solve complex problems that traditional computers can’t.
Quantum computers are able to process information at exponentially faster rates than conventional digital machines. They do so by using a method called superposition. This allows them to attempt multiple paths at once. The result is that they can solve problems in a fraction of the time it would take a traditional computer to do so.
For example, if your company is involved in supply chain logistics, you can use quantum computers to analyze data and find ways to optimize production and delivery times. This can save you money in the long run. You can also use them to identify inefficiencies and predict potential risks. This will ensure you can plan ahead for future investments.
8 - Space Tourism
CRISPR, Graphene and Digital Twins are technologies that are no longer the stuff of science fiction. But there are many more that haven't made headlines yet.
Travelling to space is no longer a pipe dream thanks to new technology. Space tourism companies like Virgin Galactic and SpaceX are working to make it a reality.
While it's still expensive, the price will come down over time. Eventually, spaceflight could be as affordable as flying to Europe.
Robotic exoskeletons are already a reality for soldiers, but having a whole robotic body would provide a more useful life for disabled people. They can also help reduce strain on doctors in busy hospitals. Augmented reality has the potential to revolutionise travel, and not just because you'll be able to watch 4D movies. It could mean a smarter, faster trains that can speed through tunnels or underwater too.
7 - Self-Driving Cars
Despite a decade of investment and billions in research, autonomous cars are still not as widespread as initially thought. Some companies have started to temper their earlier enthusiasm as they realize that it may take decades for this future technology to become widely available.
Autonomous vehicles can reduce traffic congestion by using sensors, lidar (light detection and ranging), and cameras to identify objects around them. They can also communicate with each other to optimize routes and improve traffic flow.
They can also help reduce car accidents by eliminating human error. This will save lives and money in the form of hospital bills, vehicle repair, and lost time at work. It will also increase mobility for people who can’t drive, such as the elderly or disabled. It could even make cities more appealing to those who are currently fleeing them for the suburbs.
6 - Augmented Reality
AR blends digital images with the real world, allowing us to view them through our smartphones, tablets or other devices. This technology is different from virtual reality (VR), which creates a completely immersive experience and requires special headsets.
Examples of AR include pointing a phone's camera at the sky to see astronomical data superimposed on it or using an app to get GPS directions while driving. It can also help shoppers locate products by displaying virtual overlays of information about them in physical stores or enabling them to try out furniture at home with the IKEA catalog app.
Other uses of AR are immersive training and simulations. Medical students can use AR to practice surgical procedures without risking patients and astronauts can use VR to simulate their first or next space mission. This technology is also being developed for visors and contact lenses to be worn in everyday life.
5 - Artificial Intelligence in Healthcare
Artificial intelligence in healthcare is helping medical professionals and patients. It can analyze large amounts of data, making it easier to identify patterns that might be overlooked by human skill sets. This technology also helps with administrative workflows, such as coding, information sharing and billing.
It can also assist with diagnosing disease, including reading X-rays and scans, diagnosing illnesses and creating treatment plans. It can also reduce human error and help doctors save time by automating tasks such as writing notes.
In addition, it can aid with clinical trials by identifying the best candidates for developmental drugs. However, these tools must be based on accurate patient data to avoid unintended bias. For example, white males are overrepresented in many medical data sets, and this may lead to poorer results for minority populations. This could exacerbate social and healthcare inequities.
4 - Fusion Power
The quest for fusion energy attracts a cross section of scientists and engineers who are trying to reproduce on Earth what only the stars have managed. If successful, fusion could create vast amounts of power without the need for fossil fuels or nuclear fission.
The international project ITER aims to create a self-sustained fusion reaction for long durations. But other projects, such as the small spherical tokamak at Commonwealth Fusion Systems or the stellarator at General Fusion, are also nearing fruition.
New technologies like autonomous cars could prevent tens of thousands of deaths on the road; genetic engineering and optogenetics could cure or manage debilitating neurological diseases; and materials such as graphene make it easier to access cheap, clean water. But some future technologies pose risks that could undermine what many people value. For example, self-driving cars might undermine human responsibility; and brain-computer interfaces may allow involuntary neurological control.
3 - Smart Cities
Using smart city technology, governments are optimizing infrastructure, mobility, public services and utilities. The technology provides the means to save energy and water and reduce pollution, as well as cut costs and improve sustainability.
Cities use smart sensor technology to monitor and analyze data in real time. For example, in Cape Town, South Africa, smart water meters allow citizens to see their usage and reduce consumption. The city also uses sensors to locate water leaks in a shorter amount of time, saving resources.
In addition, smart city technology can help cut traffic congestion. Commuters in cities that implement smart-mobility applications may save 15 to 20 minutes per day, depending on the commuting system. In some cases, the technology may even be able to avoid traffic altogether. In other cases, the city can synchronize traffic signals to ease congestion.
2 - Brain-Computer Interfaces
Brain-computer interfaces, or BCIs, give us a direct link to our thoughts. They harness electrical signals produced by neurons and send them to a computer, where software figures out what those signals mean. The software then uses that understanding to control external devices, such as a keyboard or robot arm.
Several companies have developed implantable BCIs, including Neuralink, founded by Elon Musk. The company’s N1 chip can communicate directly with individual neurons in the brain, and it could soon help patients regain mobility by controlling machines and prosthetic limbs with just their thought.
Non-invasive BCIs are also available, such as headsets that boost productivity or enhance focus. These can also let non-verbal individuals use computers to access social media, email, virtual assistants and instant messaging services. They can even control their home electronics, such as dimming the lights or switching the TV channel.
1 - Nanotechnology
The tiny world of nanotechnology enables us to create materials, devices and products that have unusual physical, chemical and biological properties. The properties of materials can change dramatically when manipulated at the nanoscale, which is one billionth of a meter.
For example, doctors are already producing made-to-order body parts that can be printed out of living cells. They can then be used to replace a missing organ or even a whole new limb.
Scientists have also created a material called graphene that is lighter than air but 10 times stronger than steel. It could make future building structures that heal their own cracks, suck toxins out of the air or glow on command. It could also be used to make uber-fast Li-Fi technology that transmits data using light rather than Wi-Fi's radio waves. This might mean faster streaming of films, games and music.
