No matter how we think the future, it will definitely be technological. Innovation can change the world and ourselves beyond recognition (perhaps not for the better, as in the TV series "Black Mirror"). However, we can say with confidence that the goal of all inventions is to make our life more comfortable. We have collected 10 technologies that will help make our life easier.
Fast robots
There is no doubt that in the near future robots will surround us: as helpers, pets, perhaps friends and even partners. Scientists have recently created robots that are able to maintain balance, walk and run on uneven and unstable surfaces. Such robots are more suitable for adapting to our human environment. It is definitely a step forward towards our future coexistence with robots.
Neuromorphic chips
Did you know that the human brain is the most advanced processor in the universe that we know? It is able to process information at the speed of light without wasting a lot of energy (and taking up little space). Neuromorphic engineering is an attempt to mimic the functions of the human brain. Scientists have created an artificial data processing system that consists of small boards that act as neurons in our brain. In terms of power, size and energy consumption, the technology is comparable to the human brain. The development of neuromorphic chips will help create an ultra-fast and ultra-efficient processor that will be used by smartphones, computers and possibly robots.
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Organic radical accumulator
Smartphones have become our closest friends, and every year they become more and more powerful. Their main drawback is the battery life, which decreases in parallel with the development of capacities. An organic radical battery (ORB) is getting close to solving this problem. Similar batteries appeared in 2005. So far, they are not available to the mass consumer, but work on this technology is already nearing the moment when the miracle batteries will finally begin to be released for sale. Such a battery is based on organic radical polymers, flexible plastic that can replace the usual metal batteries. Solid organic radicals are converted into a gel and mixed with the carbon base. Ultra-thin ORBs will be a much more powerful alternative to today's lithium-ion batteries.
Hyperloop vacuum train
The idea of creating such a train was in the air for many decades, until Elon Musk decided to bring it to life. Hyperloop (translated from English - "hyperloop") is a whole transport system where air-cushion capsules are transported through pipes of passengers under low pressure (almost vacuum) at a speed of about 1000 km / h. At first, it was assumed that the capsules would seem to float due to the air compressed by the compressors, but now the technology of magnetic levitation is considered more relevant. Technically, this is all possible, the question at the moment is only how to make this development cheaper to implement. When (and if) the financial side of the issue is resolved, it will be possible to expect the emergence of a high-speed, quiet, autonomous and safe road - the transport system will run either above ground or underground.
Display-only smartphone
An old dream of developers. Every year, with each new model, the display area of mobile devices is increasing. According to rumors, following in Xiaomi's footsteps, the next Samsung phone from the Galaxy S series will be 95% display. The remaining 5% will come from the front camera. Most likely, the ideal phone will consist only of a display, without any "frames".
Vertical trusses
The world's population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050, with 80% living in large cities. And then we are faced with such a problem. To survive, in addition to water and oxygen, a person needs food. Growing food requires a significant amount of land. Vertical farms will help to grow high-quality products that can feed 9 billion people without causing irreparable environmental damage to the planet (for example, deforestation for fields).
Vertical farm is the general name for a special complex, which is a multi-storey high-rise greenhouse. Such farms already exist and demonstrate high efficiency. For example, the first commercial vertical farm appeared in Singapore, located in a 38-storey tower. The largest vertical farm to date is in Japan. Its area is 25 thousand square meters, it requires 40% less energy to work, 80% less fertilizer and 99% less water than a conventional farm. In general, it sounds like a technology not of the future, but of the present.
VR headset
Virtual reality is not new to anyone, but in 2016 there was a sharp leap in the development of VR technologies. Not only the computer games industry has started talking about VR, but also social networks, the media sphere and many others - everyone sees great prospects in virtual reality. Without a doubt, VR technologies will literally rush into our, not virtual reality, and only the lazy will not adapt them to their business needs.
Modular houses
One of the main trends of the last 10 years is the extinction of villages and overpopulation of cities. The desire of people to move to cities, and to larger cities, leads to a rise in real estate prices. Modular homes will make housing more affordable. The prefabricated houses are manufactured in the factory and installed after purchase at the desired location. Ease of manufacture, mass production, versatile design reduce the cost and, accordingly, the price of your own home.
Self-driving cars
Perhaps the most anticipated technology in the world. Millions of people die in road accidents caused by the human factor, namely drunk driving, inattention and irresponsibility. Self-driving cars will save the roads from fools.
Despite the pre-existing self-driving cars, the technology still needs to be improved to become truly revolutionary. For example, Google's self-driving cars show controversial results during testing. When these robot cars learn to make the best decisions on the road, then there will be a real breakthrough.
3D printing
Technology with endless potential. Doctors use it to print implants, astronauts create instruments in orbit, and a 3D printer can be used to build an unmanned aircraft or even a house. The possibilities of 3D printing are unlikely to be limited to this. Most likely, in the not too distant future, we will be able to print anything at all without leaving our home computer.