Twenty Technologies of the Future You Won't Believe Already Exist

... .... TWENTY ... .... TECHNOLOGIES OF THE FUTURE YOU WONT BELIEVE ALREADY EXIST 30 BIOPRINTING What is it? The process of creating human tissues through 3D printers. What can it do? Cells are extracted from patients from which more are grown and Bio Ink is developed. Bio Ink is used to create tissue which is then exposed to disease to monitor how the tissue reacts and how future treatments may be developed and improved. Essentially you can grow material to test medicine on. It can also be used in facial reconstruction. What will it do in the future? In the future, it's very likely 3D printers will be used to create simple tissues for implanting into current organs and partial organs. The printing of whole organs, if approved, could be a reality within the next decade. THOUGHT CONTROLLED SYNTHETICS What is it? A direct communication pathway between the brain and an external device. What can it do? By mapping brain patterns and applying them to limb movement, current users of this technology are able to control bionic limbs in the same way they would control their regular limbs. Some prostheses are even able to 'feel". What will it do in the future? This technology paves the way for brain-based communication with a range of machines using 'imagined speech' a.k.a synthetic telepathy. The ability to control machines without the need for physical mechanisms offers a greatly improved experience for amputees and people with nerve damage. This technology means that loss of limbs through disease or trauma no longer needs to be a permanent disability. The Six-Million Dollar Man is no longer a fantasy. 3D PRINTING What is it? The process of creating a three-dimensional solid model of any shape from any material, based on a digital model. What can it do? 3D printers are available to consumers but not cheap and current products are gimmicky. What will it do in the future? The technology could rapidly slash costs in industries, such as aerospace, where small volumes of production parts are often required. Items that are currently mass-produced, such as running shoes, could be affordably customised, based on a 3D scan of an individual's foot-we could essentially clothe the world by printing clothing at an incredibly low cost. Early developments into edible 3D printing means we could also solve hunger problems in many parts of the world by making food accessible and inexpensive. WIRELESS POWER What is it? The ability to transmit electricity from a power source to a device through thin air. What can it do? Electric toothbrushes use a form of wireless power, inductive coupling, to charge without the need for metal contacts and eliminating the risk of water touching the circuit. More advanced products are using magnetic fields to transmit energy to phones and laptops. What will it do in the future? All devices that need power will be equipped to receive it wirelessly from a central hub, negating the need for cables in homes or offices. Phones will start charging as soon as you enter a room. Put simply: a world without wires. RETINAL IMPLANTS What is it? Biomedical implant used to partially restore vision to people who have lost their sight. What can it do? Provides only a modest improvement in vision, such as the ability to detect shape and colour. What will it do in the future? A lot of work needs to be done but this is a big step towards full replication of eyesight. The ability to seamlessly link implants with the nervous system and brain will allow further development of advanced biomedical implants. EXOSKELETONS What is it? A mobile machine consisting primarily of an outer framework (akin to an insect's exoskeleton) worn by a person, and a powered system of motors or hydraulics that assist limb movement. What can it do? Current products offer ability to lift 10x more weight, powered legs allow paraplegics to walk with crutches. Current models can lift around 100kg. What will it do in the future? Future exoskeletons will be controlled through brain activity and boast greatly improved power supply. Most likely to be used by rescue operations, or military forces to create elite units of super soldiers equipped with superior protection and firepower. FORCE FIELDS What is it? Pulses of electrical energy to repel rockets, shrapnel and other ammunition that might damage a vehicle. What can it do? The real advantage to the electric armour is how light it can be in comparison to physical armour. What will it do in the future? Be used to protect large vehicles and spaceships from bullets, missiles and laser weapons. Could also be used to protect buildings and important people. ROBOTS What is it? A machine capable of carrying out a complex series of actions automatically, across a variety of environments. What can it do? Climb, run and play games. What will it do in the future? Robots will be able to think like humans and out-perform them physically. Autonomous interaction and communication with humans will facilitate assisted living for elderly or vulnerable people and provide security. STEM CELLS What is it? A class of undifferentiated cells that are able to differentiate into specialized cell types sourced mainly from embryos and adult tissue. What can it do? Stem cells are already being used t treat leukemia and some joint repairs. What will it do in the future? The next step will be to learn what influences stem cells to change into particular types of cells. Once that's known, it will be possible to grow cells that perfectly match those of the patients making it possible to grow replacements for parts of a persons body. Immortality, or at least unnaturally long life, starts to look a lot more realistic once stem cells have been mastered, GRAPHENE What is it? A 2-dimensional, crystalline allotrope (variant of the same element) of carbon -a one-atom thick layer of graphite. What can it do? High-quality graphene is strong, light, nearly transparent and an excellent conductor of heat and electricity, and repels water. What will it do in the future? If you have a sheet of graphene thinner than a sheet of saran wrap/cling film, it would take the weight of an elephant standing on the tip of apencil to puncture it. We could build stronger, lighter planes, trains, and automobiles. Thinner, smaller gadgets, greater fuel efficiencies, better energy efficiency making batteries last longer and all made from one of the most abundant elements in the universe. Once we learn how to manufacture with graphene it will revolutionise everything. SPEEDER BIKE What is it? A bike that hovers. What can it do? Allow users in agriculture, search and rescue, border control and transportation to hover over ground where there is very little infrastructure. What will it do in the future? Smaller, lighter, faster and more efficient versions of what is currently available could become the standard of human transportation. PROSTHETIC LIMBS WITH FEELING What is it? Prosthetics with sensory feedback. What can it do? Allows a full biomechanical link between a prosthetic limb and the controller's mind - essentially a workable replacement to a lost limb. What will it do in the future? Fully-functioning life-like replacement limbs could make the loss through amputation a temporary problem. VIRTUAL REALITY What is it? Sometimes referred to as immersive multimedia, is a computer-simulated environment that can simulate physical presence in places in the real world or imagined worlds. What can it do? Enhance the experience motion pictures, art, games, music, training or be used for therapy. What will it do in the future? Fully immersive media that will trick the senses with high definition surroundings. Particularly relevant to gaming but could also prove revolutionary in communications and film. WEARABLE TECHNOLOGY What is it? Computer interface that is worn by its user. What can it do? Whatever a smart phone / miniature computer can do. Think Google Glass/Pebble watches. What will it do in the future? As well as being functional and practical wearable technology devices need to be fashionable. If they take off, they could be as ubiquitous as smart phones - and more immersive as they allow for the engagement of the whole body. SELF-HEALING MATERIALS What is it? Smart materials that have the structurally-incorporated ability to repair damage caused by mechanical usage over time. What can it do? Electrical circuits have repaired themselves, many prototypes in progress. What will it do in the future? Prolonging the service life of the materials and reducing the inefficiency of the materials due to degradation will save companies a fortune. Auto-repairing screens, healing drill bits and self maintaining robots will also become important fixtures. Self healing technology will be a valuable addition to space exploration, particularly unmanned missions. DRIVERLESS CAR What is it? A car that drives without human input (and doesn't crash) What can it do? Google's robotic cars have about $150,000 in equipment including a $70,000 LIDAR (laser radar) system.[12] The range finder mounted on the top is a Velodyne 64-beam laser. This laser allows the vehicle to generate a detailed 3D map of its environment. The car then takes these generated maps and combines them with high-resolution maps of the world, producing different types of data models that allow it to drive itself. What will it do in the future? Driverless cars will be able to safely and legally chauffeur human passengers, eliminating human error and thus road traffic accidents. HOLOGRAM What is it? 3D images that have been projected and captured on a 2D surface. What can it do? Engineering design (CAD), architecture, simulation, medical imaging, computer graphics and scientific visualization. What will it do in the future? Emerging markets include cinema, gaming and advertising. Once this technology is perfected it could cut out the middleman between computers and reality, allowing us to interface directly with computers. AFFECTIVE COMPUTING What is it? Computers that can read your emotions. What can it do? Technology is in development. One robot has passed 'The Sally-Ann Test which proves that the subject is aware of the existence of other minds, but no products are available. What will it do in the future? Machines that can respond to emotion, hold responsive conversation and monitor well-being will be useful to security services, as well as helping to monitor personal wellbeing. AUTOMATIC KILLER ROBOTS What is it? A machine that can identify and kill and human target autonomously. What can it do? Used to patrol the North Korean border. What will it do in the future? In the short term automatic military robots will save lives by keeping humans off the front line. However, if they were to start thinking for themselves it could lead to termination of all human life. LASER WEAPONS What is it? Emits energy in an aimed direction without the means of a projectile. What can it do? Intended for ship-defense against drones or small-boat attackers. What will it do in the future? Engage incoming missiles, large aircraft, ships, or submerged objects at a greater level of accuracy and less cost than traditional projectiles. 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