It’s hard to imagine life without technology. A century ago automobiles were beginning to dominate the transportation industry, 50 years ago computers began arriving on the scene and 30 years ago internet usage began proliferating the consumer market. Even now as technology is a large part of life, innovation continues. Many technologies come and go, but these new systems promise to change life as we know it.
Here is a look at five technologies that, if adopted by the masses, will change modern life forever.
[divider]Wireless Electricity[/divider]Positives:
Thirty years ago wireless internet was a dream. The ability to connect to the world wide web through mobile devices, tablets, and other entertainment devices changed the way the world works and because of that inter-connectivity, entertainment services like Netflix and Hulu have become mainstream entertainment, available anywhere you have an internet signal. Right now a company, demonstrated in the video above, is working to give electricity the same over-the-air quality. When the technology is fully developed and integrated it will change the way we power everything. Imagine your phone charging anytime you connect to a power network. Imagine a world without batteries, imagine the ability to move any electrical device in your home, without the need to run a wire into a wall. This system will make that possible and it is happening now. Chances are children born today will never understand why appliances once needed a plug. Once homes are completely wireless the power cord will be looked at the same way VCR’s are now; completely obsolete.
Negatives:
There is a draw back to this new technology, as there always is. Currently there are over half a million electricians working in the U.S. Many of them may make the switch to working on new systems, but undoubtedly many others will be out of work in their field.
[divider]Hyperloop[/divider]
Positives:
Designed by tech guru Elon Musk hyperloop technology will be the most efficient way to travel long distances in terms of speed, energy use, and comfort. Anyone that has been to a bank drive-thru has seen this technology in action. That tube that zips money inside is a much smaller and low-tech version of the principals applied to hyperloop travel. The system will move people faster than the speed of sound allowing for passengers to move from L.A. to San Francisco in 30 minutes and New York to L.A. in half the time of commercial air travel. Test systems for the project are already planned in California and a test track is planned in Texas.
Negatives:
Current transportation companies have been dreading this day for a long time. Hyperloop technology could decimate current rail, airline, and automotive industries. With that shift oil and gasoline producers could suddenly find much less demand for their product. Naturally hyperloop technology would create jobs, but the potential to absorb all of positions lost in the other industries is low.
[divider]Wearable Technology[/divider]Positives:
By now everyone that follows technology knows about Google Glass. The project was one of the first large efforts to bring real time information into a wearable system. While Glass failed to become a realized product many other systems have been released that allows for real time interaction with a computer system. Fitness monitoring has been the primary implementation so far, but quickly evolving systems into other areas promise wearable technology is here to stay.
Negatives:
The roll-out of Google Glass showed exactly what can go wrong with wearable technology; privacy. Laws are not nearly ready to deal with the issues that will arise when everyone is wearing interactive computers at all times. That being said when personal computers began to become a necessity of life there were holdouts that feared the same issues, but as technology continued to develop so did regulations of usage. It may be a bumpy road, but in the near future everyone will be connected to technology, on their person, at all times.
[divider]Automotive Automation[/divider]Positives:
Anyone that has ever been on a long, tedious drive, will recognize the value of a driver-less car. Movies like Minority Report have even showed how such a system might work. Right now Google has cars driving around by themselves and as the above video shows, the complex system that will allow cars to drive themselves is nearly a reality for consumers. Proponents of the technology argue that cars that can interact with each other and objects that share American roadways are faster and safer than human counterparts. Cars have been on the market for some time that include navigation systems and self parking features, but this technology will take those systems to the next level promising digital chauffeurs to anyone.
Negatives:
Again economic factors are key to the detractors of driver-less vehicles. Currently there are 3.5 million professional truck drivers in the U.S. Vehicles that drive themselves could put each and every one of those people on the job hunt. The other bridge to cross before driver-less vehicles become the norm, is how to insure these vehicles and who is at fault if the system fails, causing injury. There are no answers to either of the issues, but the promise of faster, safer and more convenient travel will surely make driver-less vehicles a draw for consumers and companies alike.
[divider]3-d Printing[/divider]Positives:
As evidenced by the video above there are many applications for 3-d printing technology. Body parts, mechanical systems, and even food will be revolutionized by this technology. The near future may bring one of these devices in every home, giving users the ability to buy and produce objects without leaving the home. Imagine printing your own candy bar, or television remote or handgun, without the need to leave home. While this technology is still developing and more uses are developed everyday, the potential applications will change the way the world buys products.
Negatives:
Again laws need to catch up to the evolving technology. Having the ability to print an untraceable gun and harm someone with it is frightening even to the most prolific gun rights activist. It could also have long lasting effects on the consumer market in nearly every sector. Once everyone has the ability to create what they need at home, both internet and brick-and-mortar shopping could be irrevocably changed forever.