The 10 Big Things in Technology-2024

In today’s world, technology is changing quickly. Big changes are always happening, from the evolution of communication to the revolution of industries. Technology’s impact is everywhere, and with each passing day breakthroughs emerge promising to change the way we work, play, and connect. In this blog, we will explore the 10 big things in technology that are shaping our future.

The Current State of Technology

The current state of technology is marked by rapid advancements in various fields, especially artificial intelligence (AI), that have transformed how we live, work, and interact. Different kinds of technology are getting more connected, and technology has gotten better over time, changing our daily lives and how society works. Digital technology is used more in all kinds of industries, and companies, governments, and people are using digital tools to work better, communicate better, and make better choices.

AI and machine learning capabilities are advancing, facilitating tasks such as natural language processing, image identification, and predictive analysis. These technologies find application across diverse sectors including healthcare, finance, manufacturing, and beyond. The introduction of 6G networks will completely change how we communicate and stay connected. It will make data transfer faster, reduce delays, and handle huge Internet of Things setups. The Internet of Things links different gadgets, allowing them to talk and share information, which has brought about smart homes, smart cities, and better-automated industries.

The Next Generation of Technology

Looking at the next generation of technology, we anticipate big improvements in artificial intelligence, machine learning, robots, and other tech that will make changes happen much faster. By 2025, around 50 billion gadgets will be part of the industrial Internet of Things.

1. Humanlike Robots

One of the next big things in technology is a humanoid robot, a robot that is like a human in shape. These robots are made to work with humans and can perform tasks. For example, Digit, a humanoid robot, can unload trailers and move packages. It has arms and legs that work, and it can bend down to pick up things. It uses sensors to find the best way to go and avoid obstacles.

While most humanoid robots are still being tested or developed, a few have recently started working in various industries. Some are bartenders, concierges, deep-sea divers, and companions for older people. Others help in warehouses and factories with tasks like logistics and manufacturing. Research shows that the humanoid robot market was worth $1.8 billion in 2023 and is estimated to reach over $3 billion in the next 5 years.

2. NEC Robotics

Sometimes new technologies can be cool and have the potential to change the future, but they can also be kind of spooky. One example is the idea of NEC robotics, which is about turning dead things into robots. At Rice University, researchers managed to turn a dead spider into a robot-like gripper that can pick up other stuff. They did this by putting air into the spider’s body, which helps the legs to stretch out and grab things.

3. The Introduction of E-Skin

Although technology lets us talk and see each other from far away, we can’t feel each other’s touch over long distances. But now engineers at the City University of Hong Kong have created a special soft e-skin that might change that. The e-skin has little flexible parts that can feel your movements and turn them into electrical signals. These signals can then be sent through Bluetooth to another e-skin system, which turns them into vibrations that copy the original movements. This system could let people feel each other over long distances, like giving hugs over the Internet.

4. Advanced Personal Assistance

Another big thing in technology is advanced personal assistance that will be even better than current personal assistance. Advanced personal assistants could potentially do more complex tasks compared to Alexa and Siri. They might be able to understand your emotions and respond accordingly, providing comforting words or suggesting activities to lift your spirits.

They could also assist in managing your daily schedule more effectively by not only reminding you of important appointments but also rearranging your calendar based on your preferences and priorities. Additionally, these assistants could offer personalized health advice and reminders based on your specific health goals and needs. They might assist in more complex decision-making processes by providing comprehensive analyses and recommendations based on your preferences and previous choices.

5. Sand Batteries

Not all technology that helps us in the future has to be complex. A group of Finnish engineers came up with one of these simple yet amazing technologies. They figured out how to turn sand into a huge battery. By stacking 100 tons of sand into a big steel container and using wind and solar energy to heat it up, the heat generated can be sent to nearby buildings as energy. This method allows the energy to be stored for a long time.

6. Brain Reading Robots

Using technology to read our brains is not just science fiction anymore. A group of researchers at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology has come up with a very useful way to use this brain-reading technology. By combining a machine learning algorithm, a robot arm, and a brain-computer interface, they have created a system that allows people with tetraplegia, meaning people who can’t move their arms and legs to interact with their surroundings. The system lets the patients control the robot arm with their brain signals, helping them perform tasks like moving around obstacles.

7. AI in Everyday Life

Artificial intelligence has become such a big part of our lives that it’s hard to imagine living without it. However, currently, only about half of the world’s population is using it regularly. In the future, AI is expected to become even more widely used by everyone in their daily routines. This means that more people will start using AI-powered devices and services to make their lives easier and more convenient. For example, AI might help us find the best restaurants nearby, suggest movies we might enjoy, organize our tasks more efficiently, suggest the best routes for our daily commute, or even remind us to take breaks and stay healthy while working. AI can also make our homes smarter by controlling things like the temperature, lights, and security systems, automatically making our lives more convenient and comfortable.

8. Smelly VR

Researchers at the City University of Hong Kong have made a new wireless skin-connected smell feedback system. It’s a VR gadget that lets you smell things. This gadget works by heating and melting special smelly wax, which releases different levels of smell. This new tech can be used in various ways, like for online learning and watching 4D movies. Yes, in the future, you can watch movies in VR and even smell them, making the experience feel even more real.

9. Catapulting Satellites into Space

Imagine using a catapult-like system to launch satellites into space. Spin Launch is a new system designed to send satellites and other things into space using the power of kinetic energy. This technology can spin payloads fast, up to 8,000 kmph, and launch them upward through a big launch tube at a force of 10,000 times the Earth’s gravity. While small rocket engines are still needed to get the payloads into orbit, Spin Launch’s system reduces the need for fuel and infrastructure by an impressive 70%. The company has even teamed up with NASA and is currently testing the system.

10. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) have been around for some time, but they’re going to change the world a lot in the next 5 years. AR makes our real world more interesting by adding digital things, while VR lets us enter completely different virtual worlds. When you use them together, they create a whole new world that goes beyond what we’re used to. This has led to the rise of a new industry called the Internet of Experiences, which focuses on making cool and immersive things using AR and VR. For example, it can help us learn better by showing us history in a fun way or letting us try on clothes virtually before buying them. This industry is going to change how we learn, have fun, and even how we shop.

Conclusion

Technology is constantly evolving, and these 10 big things in technology are just a glimpse of what the future holds. From humanlike robots to brain reading robots, from advanced personal assistance to sand batteries, from AI in everyday life to catapulting satellites into space, and from smelly VR to the world of virtual reality and augmented reality, these advancements will revolutionize various aspects of our lives. Embracing these technologies will reshape industries, improve efficiency, and enhance our overall experience. As we move forward, it’s important to be aware of these developments and adapt to the changing technological landscape.