MIT Technology Review writes about the ten most disruptive, important and promising technologies of 2017.
In the first place are new treatments for paralysis using brain implants. At the same time, new treatment technologies are applicable to both the brain and the spinal cord. It is expected that brain implants for the treatment of paralysis will be widely used in 10-15 years.
MIT considers driverless trucks to be the second breakthrough technology. It is expected that this technology will help avoid accidents caused by driver fatigue, poor health or loss of concentration. This will free up a huge number of workers: in the USA alone, 1.7 million people turn the wheel of a truck.
In third place is payment technology using biometrics. In the future, when different countries They will create biometric databases for all citizens of the state; it will be possible to make payments simply by showing their face to the camera. Similar technologies are already used in China, where the company Face++ is doing this. In the future, money will not be needed at all - cameras will identify a person at the entrance to a trolleybus, in a store, at the entrance to buildings and work premises, even when entering home. And the money will simply be slowly written off from the account.
The next technology of 2017 was quantum computers. The MIT Technology Review indicates that one of the leaders in this direction is the Dutch laboratory QuTech. The quantum computers being developed and tested in this laboratory contain refrigerators: nanocomputer components operate at temperatures near absolute zero. Quasiparticles and superconductivity are key phenomena that make quantum technologies possible. computing systems. The appearance of commercial samples is expected in 4-5 years.
The fifth promising technology was called “thermal solar panels”. In principle, solar panels for generating electricity are already quite widespread. But they are still expensive and not very effective. Hot Solar Cells technology allows you to first turn sunlight into heat and then convert it back into light, but the light is precisely in the part of the spectrum that solar cells can use. It is expected that it will be at least another 10 years before such devices are widely introduced.
Great hopes are also associated with gene therapy: scientists have recently begun to use viruses to cut DNA and insert sections there the required code. The list of diseases where DNA therapy can help is already approaching fifty.
The project to create an atlas of human cells (The Cell Atlas) also relates to biology. Cells in living organisms were first discovered using a microscope in 1665. Now biologists have set an ambitious task: to create detailed description of all 37.2 trillion cells in the human body. Scientists from the UK, USA, Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands and Japan will participate in the compilation of such a database. The work will take approximately five years.
Among the technologies that can be potentially dangerous, MIT Technology Review notes a botnet in the world of the Internet of Things.
The compilers of the technology rating also noted the emergence of panoramic selfies with a viewing angle of 360 degrees. In addition, new machine learning technologies also attracted their attention.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology has published its annual list of the most exciting technologies that could change the world in the near future. This year among ten various discoveries Of the different areas, three are related to health care: they concern the treatment of paralysis, gene therapy and the cells that make up humans.
Paralysis will be reversible
Within 10-15 years, paralyzed people will be able to move again. Experts from the Federal Polytechnical School of Lausanne (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), Switzerland, using implanted electrodes that stimulate the motor area of the cerebral cortex, forced the paralyzed limb of a monkey into which electrodes were also implanted to move. The brain and limb communicated via wireless communication, which actually replaced damaged nerves.
The first steps towards this technology were made when scientists created thought-controlled prosthetics and more. For example, in Brazil, completely paralyzed people, after training using a thought-controlled exoskeleton, were able to control their excretory processes, and one of them. In Germany, which is also controlled by electrodes in the brain and helps patients with partial paralysis to perform some everyday activities. At the Federal Polytechnic School itself, already on paralyzed monkeys, electrodes were implanted into the brain and spinal cord, and this also helped to restore their mobility.
Now scientists are working on a "neural shunt" - a way to "bypass injury" using wireless technologies, thanks to which brain signals are transmitted directly to stimulators installed in the right place inside the body. It has already been proven that the development of Swiss scientists also works in humans - it was tested on a patient in whom only the head and shoulder were working. About 100 electrodes were installed in his brain and 16 in his arm and hand, and he was able to move this arm and even lift a cup.
Such electrodes will help not only paralyzed patients, but also those who have been diagnosed with other diseases: Alzheimer's disease, deafness, vision pathologies.
Gene therapy
Another extremely important technology, which is available even now is gene therapy. Scientists already know how to modify genes and deliver them into cells using viruses to treat cancer, and are now working to find similar therapies for other diseases. Perhaps in the future, by changing the genome they will be able to treat cancer or cardiovascular diseases. Stanford University reported that clinical trials of gene therapy for more than 40 different diseases are currently underway. Geneticists say gene therapy may one day help treat diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and even aging, but it will be more difficult because these processes involve multiple genes, not just one.
Cellular atlas: what is a person made of?
Cells were first described back in 1665 by a biologist named Robert Hooke. Over the past several centuries, science has made great progress, and now the discoverer’s colleagues are working on a human cell atlas. By using latest technologies they will catalog all 37.2 billion cells that make up the human body, and when this work is completed, scientists will have a model that will help, for example, search for new drugs for various diseases. Experts from the USA, Great Britain, Israel, Sweden, Japan and the Netherlands will record the molecular signature of each cell and give it “ postcode”, which shows exactly where in the body this cell is located.
The creation of the cell atlas was made possible by three new developments. Cells are separated from others and labeled using cellular fluid dynamics technology to study each cell individually. The second development makes it possible to cheaply and quickly sequence the genome of individual cells, identifying the genes that are present in them. Thus, one scientist can process up to 10 thousand cells per day. The third development makes it possible to “label” cells and search for them by type - this allows you to assign the same “zip code” to them.
The cell atlas is being created, among other things, thanks to the help of Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan - the center they own is also involved in research.
The end of 2016 is very close, and 2017 is already visible on the horizon: the year of the bird with red feathers according to the Chinese calendar and the year of truly high technology in practice.
It is we, the developers, who determine the future today. New inventions, magic and a desire to change the world: let's see what the coming year holds.
Self-driving cars
No one can be surprised by cars stuffed with smart electronics that help a person while driving. Cruise control has long ceased to be a technological novelty, and modern automakers have gone further: more advanced and expensive cars are capable of not only maintaining a set speed on the highway, but also staying in their lane on a winding road, as well as parking independently.
At the end of 2016, the BMW 5 was introduced, capable of autonomously changing lanes in city traffic just by pressing one button by the driver. This means that self-driving cars will appear in everyday life in European cities as early as next year.
However, a person will still be responsible for potentially possible, although unlikely, undesirable outcomes (for example, an accident). Therefore, even those who can afford such a car should enjoy the benefits artificial intelligence carefully.
The topic of self-driving cars is no longer the privilege of exclusively IT-oriented companies like Google and Tesla, which recently launched a fully self-driving car. Driverless technology is now up the sleeves of most major automakers, and they are only waiting for favorable conditions in the form of legislation and social approval.
Of course, it is naive to expect a massive abandonment of manned cars in 2017, but it will definitely mark an active phase of the transition period to an unmanned future.
Wearable electronics
History tends to develop in a spiral, and the history of the development of IT technologies follows this principle. Suffice it to remember that the first touch screens were released back in the 70s, and the first Tablet PC from Microsoft appeared in 2002. But tablets gained real popularity only a few years later, in 2010, with the release of the iPad, turning from a trend into a widespread and common everyday use.
Google seems to have already come to terms with the fact that their device Google Glass, which initially created a lot of excitement around itself, ultimately turned out to be a failure. But this does not mean that the idea of smart wearable electronics in the form of glasses is not viable in a new reincarnation.
This idea was developed by the creators of Snapchat, introducing at the end of this year their brainchild Spectacles - glasses with which the owner can record episodes from his life and then share them in social network. The glasses look less geeky than Google Glass, and at the same time perform a very specific task that is understandable to the end consumer, and most importantly, loved by them.
Mobile electronics have gotten smarter, and a person talking to Google no longer looks weird, even in places far from large metropolitan areas (according to Google, 20% of all searches come from voice assistants and this figure is growing). Therefore, it is quite logical to expect the integration of voice control into such devices and their further development as a class next year.
Integration of the digital and real world
What else?
Technologies that promise real technical revolution, are actively developing, and perhaps a breakthrough will occur in 2017. You can argue about the pros and cons of these inventions, whether it is safe to trust them with your life, and much more, but one thing is undeniable: progress cannot be stopped! And who knows, maybe the coming year will mark the final transition to the era of IT technologies?
What trends do you expect from 2017? Write in the comments.
We would like to thank you for your assistance in preparing the material.
The future of the IT industry in 2017 will be determined by artificial intelligence, “smart” things, virtual and augmented reality and blockchain, developed technology platforms for business. Such conclusions were made by experts from the research company Gartner at the ITxpo-2016 symposium, which was held in Orlando. A correspondent for the Greenhouse of Social Technologies translated an article about the 10 main technologies of the future.
According to Gartner Vice President David Cearley, the 10 named strategic trends will prepare the basis for intellectual digital network. All technologies cover advanced methods of machine learning and the development of artificial intelligence, the interpenetration of the physical and digital worlds.
1. Artificial intelligence and machine learning
In 2017, researchers will turn their attention to processing natural language and neural networks. Deep neural networks(DNN) will go beyond classical computing and will begin to serve to create systems that can independently study the world around them. That is, GNS will help automate tasks and solve problems associated with the “information about everything” trend.
Advanced algorithms will make it possible to make simply “smart” machines intelligent – from self-driving cars to virtual assistants.
Gartner advises organizations to think about how they can use these technologies to compete.
2. Smart applications
These can be programs that help a person in everyday activities, like a “smart” sorter emails. Another option is more complex virtual assistants, including business-oriented. Gartner experts say that by 2018, most of the world's largest companies will begin to use intelligent applications to improve the customer experience.
3. Smart things
This list includes already known devices such as drones, self-driving cars or 3D printers. We are also talking about gadgets of the future that intelligently interact with humans. The so-called “Internet of Things” (IoT: Internet of Things) will be created. These could be sensors in production, smart prostheses and chips in medicine, devices that ensure the safety of children, and much more.
4. Virtual (VR) and augmented (AR) reality
Virtual and augmented reality technologies are already widely used. VR works great in conveying other people's unique experiences and is used in distance learning. AR will allow various businesses to overlay graphics on objects in real time, of course this will improve the production process.
Such technologies are becoming increasingly available. You don't need to buy a helmet virtual reality for $1000, and simple cardboard glasses for a smartphone for $15 are enough. With their help, you can easily watch 3D videos and “walk” through various places on our planet.
5. Digital twins
This is the name given to a dynamic model of a physical thing or environment based on sensory sensors. This technology will be used in various fields for modeling, analysis and control. A digital “twin”, for example in industry, will make it possible to identify the weak points of a real system for repairs. According to experts, over the next 3-5 years digital twins will gain “hundreds of millions of things.”
6. Blockchain
Blockchain technology is otherwise called a “chain of distributed data.” It exists in the form of a database and contains information about all transactions carried out by system participants. Information is stored in the form of a “chain of blocks”, each of which records a certain number of transactions.
But the possibilities of blockchain are not limited to cryptocurrency. Technology can optimize large registries of governments and corporations, structure large amounts of data, and ensure transparency of any actions.
Technology can also help small and large businesses: increase efficiency, reduce staff and reduce paperwork to a minimum.
7. Dialogue systems
Gartner experts believe that a dynamic network will be created between people, processes, services and things. And it will be able to support intelligent digital ecosystems. Essentially, this is a new digital experience for people to interact with each other and devices. Soon search engines, online services and various programs will be able to receive and correctly process any voice commands.
8. Digital technology platforms
In the future, every company will operate on a combination of five digital technology platforms: Information Systems, customer experience, analytics and forecasting, IoT and business ecosystems. In particular, the creation of new platforms, services for IoT and dialogue systems will become one of the key areas until 2020. So companies must decide how they will develop platforms to solve digital business problems
9. Mechanics of applications and services
Technologies are penetrating everywhere, human interaction with the digital world is already becoming a continuous process. This is due to the global spread of the Internet, connecting all major devices to it and synchronizing them. The simplest example is a “smart” home.
This interpenetration of technologies will allow us to optimally use all components of the global IT network (smartphone, laptop, car, TV).
10. Adaptive security architecture
With increasing numbers hacker attacks companies will have to think about digital security. Providing multi-layered security will soon become an essential requirement for any enterprise. According to experts, IT leaders must focus on identifying and eliminating threats.
And in this situation, blockchain technology can come in handy. The fact is that when using it, human identification, control and verification of reliability take minimal time. In addition, the blockchain guarantees absolute accuracy.
Last update: 12/27/2018
Artificial intelligence, voice control and virtual reality is the year when science fiction slowly becomes reality. Have you heard the law that it is human nature to overestimate the impact of technology in the short term and underestimate it in the long term? We will try to bring ready-made working things that will penetrate into our lives. New technologies in 2017 cover advanced methods of machine learning and the development of artificial intelligence, the interpenetration of the physical and digital worlds.
The goal of many technologists is to easily introduce technical innovations into everyday life that you never thought you would need, but now you can’t live without. Some products have almost reached the point of perfection. Mobile phone, for example, will be redesigned, but there are no significant improvements expected in the foreseeable future. So what's next?
The new wave of technological progress is so futuristic that it looks like a wild fantasy. This year brings computers that can talk, robots that can learn, and virtual reality experiences that are incredibly immersive in their range of sensations. Here, MR PORTER predicts (very closely) the future and highlights the most important trends and cutting-edge technologies that will literally change your world in the coming months.
Conversational computer
Headphones for sound engineering of your world
We've all heard about wearable technology and devices. A new product category for 2017 is “hearable” technology that will play music, transmit phone calls, monitor health indicators such as heart rate and blood pressure, and so on. These audible headphones are from Doppler Labs in San Francisco, expected to be released in March for £250, called Here One. Basically, this is a pair of Bluetooth headphones that are independent from each other. But they also allow you to control the sound from the real world around you. So you can use them to tune the built-in microphones to the person sitting in front of you, while muting a crying baby across the restaurant; reduce the noise of an engine in flight, or the screech of an underground train.
Fully immersive virtual reality
HTC Vive
Social media for adults
Vero
Social media apps are at the center of the hyper-sharing that is taking over teenagers' lives - sometimes leaving their parents puzzled. But now social apps for adults are emerging. Vero is one of the most impressive and sophisticated inventions because it allows you to have more control over your news and choose who sees what. This way, there is less danger in giving away too much information. You can discuss things like music, movies and restaurant recommendations with specific groups that might actually be interested in them. Less social media, more social life.
Smart robot
Ubtech Robotics Alpha 1S
One day robots will take over the world. For now, they're just taking over your living room. UBTech Robotics Alpha 1S It won't bring you a cup of tea or do your laundry just yet, but with 16 motors its movements are quite realistic. It's an invention of smart technology with some seriously impressive moves: this robot can breakdance, give workouts, or just exercise with kids for hours. This all makes it worth £400. The little guy comes with software so you can teach him to do more tricks.
A suitcase that won't get lost
Raden A28 Check
The best technology is the one that solves a real problem. Lost luggage is a long-term worry for those who fly regularly. A28 Check from a New York startup Raden is a beautifully built suitcase that you can track using an app on your smartphone. So you'll always know where he is, even when he's where he should be. It weighs itself, so you'll never suffer the shame of overpacking at check-in to avoid extra baggage fees. And it can charge your phone up to four times. The app will also help with other travel-related questions such as flight time updates. The usefulness of the invention has been proven.
Fixed wing aircraft
Parrot Disco FPV
Aircraft are increasingly being used for everything from filmmaking to treetop photography and, for the most part, they are all derivatives of the helicopter - helicopters with four, six or eight blades. An unmanned aircraft looks more traditional with fixed wings. French company Parrot launched its first unmanned jet Disco for £1150. It is much faster than its bladed opponents, flying at speeds of up to 50 mph. It also comes with Parrot Cockpitglasses, a headset that records HD video so you can effectively be the pilot on board and feel like you're flying. This is extraordinary technology for those raised on model airplanes with a rubber band for the engine.
Update from December 28, 2017. And yet, from the perspective of the past year, we can conclude that there were no innovative technologies. There was a gradual improvement of existing machines and programs. Plus, the main emphasis was on items of personal use, one might even say entertainment and hedonism. Still, they promise more large-scale changes. But in reality, it would be wrong to condemn the lack of innovation. Major innovations are always revolutionary and rare. Therefore, it is better to express it in terms of innovation and improvement.
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