Ever wondered, what our future would look like? How are we going to commute, communicate and live our lives? What are the technologies that will shape our future?
There is no doubt about the fact that there are going to be some serious breakthroughs in technology. These could be as simple as some innovation to enhance the performance of a gaming accessory or some high end advancement that will completely revolutionize the way we live!
In this article, we would throw light on major technologies that will shape the way we will to live!
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The human civilization is advancing at a high pace and there is no point in refuting the verity that technology is playing an important role in this advancement.
Keeping this in mind, we have compiled a list of 10 emerging technologies that will advance the human civilization.
So, without further ado – let’s discuss how technology will transform our future and make this world a better place to live in.
Table of Contents
1. Big Data
“Big Data” refers to those enormous data-sets whose size is too huge for traditionally known databases. However, it should be noted that the term has absorbed various other meanings over the past few years. These days, “big data” does not only mean the “data”, but it also refers to the tools which are used for the notion of capturing, storing and analyzing this data.
According to CISCO, “Big Data” will become a $50 billion industry by the year 2017. Moreover, the investments in this field will be ranging anywhere between $75 to $85 billion by the year 2020.
After reading this, you might be thinking that these are big numbers. However, at this point it is worth noting that the Internet of things and all the relevant industries rely on “Big Data” either directly or indirectly. Think of it this way – these are important industries and need to store and process data on one way or the other.
This fact cannot be negated that the amount of data that is generated every single day is increasing at an amazingly high rate. Hence, we need proper systems that can store and process this data for later use.
Let’s have a review of generated data every single day.
“2.5 quintillion bytes of data every day. In other words, 2.5 is followed by 18 zeroes”
Only if we are able to use this data, we can solve a whole list of problems that the human civilization is facing these days. This includes eradicating diseases, eliminating world hunger etc.
Thus, based on the aforementioned information – we cannot negate the importance of “Big Data“.
2. Internet of Things
To have a better understanding of Internet of Things, just imagine there is an invisible network which is made up of physical things or objects that surround you. These are normal objects that you use at work, at home or while commuting from one place to another. In future, there will be regular practice in which these objects will be properly connected with sensors. Moreover, these sensors will be connected to the internet, hence, the system will be capable to collect and exchange data whenever powered.
Just imagine that the lights automatically turn off when you leave home and turn back on when you come back. Imagine, you could control the temperature of your room using your cell phone even when you are outside. Imagine, if the door of the car would unlock only if you came close to it. Imagine, the car would start only if you touched it.
Wouldn’t all of this be fascinating and futuristic?
According to the data collected by Cisco in 2015 – it was found that only 1% of the smart devices are networked. If we are able to increase this percentage then we might be able to incorporate appreciable ease and better comfort in the way we live.
3. Robotics and Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence can be regarded as one of the most controversial and exciting fields in the vast domain of robotics. However, it should be noted that even in this age – Artificial Intelligence has failed to achieve the human level of operation and execution. However, we have made significant progress even with the limited AI that we have got.
In an ideal scenario, the perfect AI will be totally analogous to the thought process that human beings possess. Think of it as a man-made machine however the intellectual abilities will match that of a human being. The cognitive level of learning will also be comparable to ours. It will have the ability to give reasons, use language and actually think about ideas that are original.
It might even fall in love. We just don’t know it yet.
There is no doubt in the fact that the robots are going to play a crucial role in our daily lives. They will definitely keep operating in the industries however they will also become an important part of our lives.
The migration of robots into our daily lives will start with utilitarian robots like kitchen helpers, autonomous vacuum cleaners etc. At a later stage, they will become important part of our daily lives just like the computers have become so important.
4. Augmented Reality
Human beings have realized the fact that we do not actually sample any of the things in objective reality. It might sound confusing? Well, think of it this way – the way you perceive things shapes your reality and the world around you. In other words, the way you see things is how the world around you gets shaped.
Augmented Reality (AR) is a technology that creates an “enhanced” view of the “real world.” In other words, the augmented elements are generated by various sensors and computers and then made a part of the real world through virtual technology. You can see the same reality in multiple ways. For example, Snapchat filters are one of the most common examples. Pokemon Go is also a good example.
This is one of the emerging technologies and is most likely to penetrate our daily lives then we can think of.
Augment Reality will definitely shape the way we interact in the gaming industry and the real world. You can even be able to train in boxing from the comfort of your home and feel like you are in the gym. Big tech giants like Facebook and Google are taking keen interest to capitalize in the domain of Augmented Reality.
The first quarter of 2016 already marked the launch of AR products in the market. The year will definitely be the one in which this technology will become even more common.
5. Micro-electromechanical Systems
Think of micro-size computers with very small mechanical devices such as pumps, valves, actuators and gears. Interesting – no?
Well, these are micro-electromechanical systems also known as MEMs.
These are just like mini robots. At this point, you should know that MEMs technology is already used in your car. The accelerometer in your car is one of the examples of electro-mechanical systems. Moreover, the year 2016 marked the development of these systems to a huge extent. In 2017, further advancement and better implementation of these systems is expected.
6. Biotechnology
To explain it in simple terms, biotechnology can be regarded as that domain of tech which is based on biology. Due to the advancements in this domain, we are now capable of understanding the cellular and bio-molecular processes that can help us develop products to improve our life and save the planet. Moreover, this technology is also helping improve the health sector.
In recent years, this field of study has definitely reached new heights. There is no doubt in the fact that our plants have improved a lot. Agriculture yield has increased and there are less diseases.
There is a powerful trend of fighting against diseases in a scientific manner. The struggle towards decreasing the environmental footprint is also getting better. We now possess the basic knowledge to get rid of world hunger and it is only the beginning.
Check out: Biotechnology Entrepreneurship: Starting, Managing, and Leading Biotech Companies
7. Nano-materials
Materials made up of particles that are in dimensions of nano-scale and produced by nanotechnology are called nano materials.
It should be noted that the components are below 100 nm. Nano-materials derive their uniqueness from their quantum effects and structure.
Based on the unique structure, it should be noted that nano-materials have a greater relative surface area as compared to other materials. This results in the improvement of certain attributes that the materials possess. For example, there is better strength and reactivity.
Moreover, it should be noted that – “target” objects can experience a change in their magnetic, electrical or optical performance because of the quantum properties possessed by nano-materials.
There are many applications of nanomaterials. Some of them are:
- Healthcare (regenerative medicine, targeted drug delivery, diagnostics)
- Cosmetics
- Electronics
- Information Technology
- Textiles
- Environmental Protection
There are more applications as well and we believe that nanomaterials are definitely going to change the way we live.
8. Terahertz Imaging
This is one of the most interesting technologies that help to detect explosives. In the past, such explosives were considered to be invisible. Moreover, it has been seen it can be applied for the “path-planning” of self driving cars.
In a nutshell, this technique allows to extend the sensory abilities that are way better than any human. It goes beyond the field of human body.
It is estimated that there will be a 35% growth per year in this industry. Moreover, there is a high chance that it would reach $1.4 billion by 2020.
9. 3D Printing
This is a process in which you “make” three dimensional objects using a digital file on your computer. It is done through the use of a special printer.
In this regard, you can use various types of materials. Recent uses include, metal, plastic and even human cells.
There are multiple applications of 3D printing. Some of them (but not limited to) are:
- Fashion
- Healthcare
- Auto Industry
It should be noted that the 3D Printing is already an industry of billions of dollars and there is a growth of 35% per year. There is no doubt in the fact that it will definitely affect our future and become an integral part of our daily routines. Even back in 2015, we saw 3D printed fashion accessories and external human organs. There is no doubt that by 2020, there are going to be 3D printed houses and even internal organs. So, let’s see what the future has for us.
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Let’s proceed further.
10. Advanced Energy Storage and Generation
This might be the most important technology as it powers up all the other ones. There is no doubt about the fact that its need is growing as a consequence of increase in population and development of new technologies.
In parallel to all the aforementioned happenings, we have witnessed a significant level of improvement in the energy storage or battery technology. More incentive is being provided to the green products. Moreover, cold fusion power might get viable at the end of year 2020. On the other hand, a significant development is also seen in the solar technology.
These technologies are changing the way we live and before we conclude these articles – let’s take a look at the following facts.
In 19th century, Britain took 150 years to double its GDP per capita. While in the 20th century, the US did the same in only 50 years. On top of that, it would take India and China only 15 years to make a similar achievement. There is no doubt about the fact that the world is changing fast and main reason is the high paced development in the niche of technology.