Survey Says: Experts Forecast the Next-Gen Innovations
IEEE Spectrum, the world’s largest technical professional society, and The Institute for the Future, a nonprofit strategic research group, identified the next big thing in the world of technology in the next 20 to 50 years.
Among the Top Tech to watch for, according to the survey include: smart everyday objects that can “think”; micro-robots for internal medicine; outer space and house cleaning; accurate weather warning; and stunning lifelike computer graphics.
Smart Sensors
Everyday objects and places will carry embedded sensors that gather, store and use information. RFID-enabled devices make computers a part of everyday activities. Every interaction with smart sensors will become a piece of data to be communicated, stored, mined and analyzed on countless levels.
Where we want to see it: In credit cards that warn owner it’s over the limit before he embarrasses himself in front of his hot date.
Micro-scale Robots
Within the next 20 years, micro-robots the size of ants will be deployed in search and rescue missions. The micro-bots will tunnel through building rubbles in search of earthquake survivors. They will also crawl into the hull of a spacecraft to repair damage during a flight.
Where we want to see it: In dental clinics so having the dentist’s hairy arm inside our mouths will be a thing of the past.
Custom-made Medical Treatments
More individualized therapies will be available with more affordable tools for reading and rewriting genetic codes become more affordable. In developed countries most people will have a documented personal genetic profile within the next 20 years.
Where we want to see it: In sperm banks. We want to know what we’re really getting for our money.
Hourly Weather Forecast
Accurate terrestrial weather will come by the hour. Advancements will also allow meteorologists to predict weather systems like hurricanes further in advance.
Where we want to see it: Attached to picnic baskets.
Lifelike Interactive Computer Graphics
Computer-generated graphics will become so life-like telling you can’t tell them apart from the real. Within the next 20 years, computer simulations will provide users highly realistic immersive experience.
Where we want to see it: Anywhere we won’t get arrested for having too much fun.
The survey was conducted in February and March 2006.
IEEE Spectrum, the world’s largest technical professional society, and The Institute for the Future, a nonprofit strategic research group, identified the next big thing in the world of technology in the next 20 to 50 years.
Among the Top Tech to watch for, according to the survey include: smart everyday objects that can “think”; micro-robots for internal medicine; outer space and house cleaning; accurate weather warning; and stunning lifelike computer graphics.
Smart Sensors
Everyday objects and places will carry embedded sensors that gather, store and use information. RFID-enabled devices make computers a part of everyday activities. Every interaction with smart sensors will become a piece of data to be communicated, stored, mined and analyzed on countless levels.
Where we want to see it: In credit cards that warn owner it’s over the limit before he embarrasses himself in front of his hot date.
Micro-scale Robots
Within the next 20 years, micro-robots the size of ants will be deployed in search and rescue missions. The micro-bots will tunnel through building rubbles in search of earthquake survivors. They will also crawl into the hull of a spacecraft to repair damage during a flight.
Where we want to see it: In dental clinics so having the dentist’s hairy arm inside our mouths will be a thing of the past.
Custom-made Medical Treatments
More individualized therapies will be available with more affordable tools for reading and rewriting genetic codes become more affordable. In developed countries most people will have a documented personal genetic profile within the next 20 years.
Where we want to see it: In sperm banks. We want to know what we’re really getting for our money.
Hourly Weather Forecast
Accurate terrestrial weather will come by the hour. Advancements will also allow meteorologists to predict weather systems like hurricanes further in advance.
Where we want to see it: Attached to picnic baskets.
Lifelike Interactive Computer Graphics
Computer-generated graphics will become so life-like telling you can’t tell them apart from the real. Within the next 20 years, computer simulations will provide users highly realistic immersive experience.
Where we want to see it: Anywhere we won’t get arrested for having too much fun.
The survey was conducted in February and March 2006.