MIT’s article “Hope on the Horizon” brims with observations on the kinds of advancements that illustrate, profoundly, that life is about to change, inexorably, for all humans, forevermore. In the article, they ask a panel of researchers to point out some economy-boosting technologies that are imminent.
Life extension, sustainable cities, robots, biosolar cells, electromechanical energy–advancements that are in the pipe right now, and have the potential not only for economic stimulus, but could also mark a metamorphosis moment for mankind (AKA the Singularity).
Embedded electronics
One transformation on the near term horizon is the embedding of low-cost electronics into almost every object that we encounter on a day-to-day basis. A pair of sunglasses may have the ability to project a visual display accessing the Internet, have an embedded cell phone and actuate other devices as one glances at them. The technology for this already exists. Flexible electronic paper and electronic clothing will change the way information is projected and harnessed at a personal level. Everyday objects may sense, detect and constantly adjust to our environment, controlling temperature, lighting, noise level, etc.
Digital fabrication
May 28th, 2008 at 8:13 pm
I guess the key question to all of this is, just what is the market need for this tech? In a society of people who can’t program the clocks on their microwaves, what problem/issue/need does this advancement in tech meet.
Printable (as in flexography) solar cells; yes, cheap portable electricity.
Watching the internet on sunglasses? Why? Maybe for parapeligics or other handicaps. I can just see the laws against driving with these popping up real quick.
May 28th, 2008 at 9:31 pm
Well, no, I don’t see a lot of internet surfing or blog reading while driving, but if we think of different applications for internet-enabled sunglasses (see: http://dvice.com/archives/2008/05/concept_mobile.php), there are a lot of ways they could be used, even while driving, that could be beneficial and economically viable. Think of an F-18 HUD, or Terminator vision, a visual terminal that gives information about what you’re looking at while you’re looking at it. And besides, some people can program their microwave clocks –*raises hand*. Also: I saw a little old granny wearing Thrift Store clothes at the grocery store the other day with a BlueTooth earset bug. That’s a testimony if I ever saw one.
May 29th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
I think that a hallmark of a lot of this new wave of technology will be that it’s basically idiot-proof and scalable to your own level of need. The first wave or two might be for the early adopters, but eventually the soccer moms and Joe Sixpack will get in on the action.
Oh, and you have to remember that we’ll be the old folks in the future, and most people of our generation are fairly tech-friendly.
I myself can’t wait for a retinal heads-up display. I’d love it.