In recent times, the world has seen a progression of innovations and inventions. From the old fashioned paper-and-pen form of communication to today’s high-tech gadgets – which offer instantaneous and un-tethered communication – there’s certainly no shortage of impressive technological developments.
Some of the greatest technological inventions include GPS which was originally developed in 1978 by the US military; Personal Computer (PC) which revolutionized the entire world; internet which was made available to the public in the 90’s and has improved communication and information dissemination; digital cameras; video conferencing and so many other innovations that have become almost indispensable to humans’ daily routines.
2015 has already seen a number of new technological innovations being completed and tested, or projected to be fully functional before the end of the year. Here are 5 of them:
5. Car-to-Car Communication
General Motors is working with the University of Michigan and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to develop a new software for cars that will enhance safety without relinquishing control. The car-to-car communication system will transmit their position, speed, break engagement, and other data to all vehicles that are nearby. Algorithms will sift through the data that is collected many times each second and alert the driver in case of danger. This system has the potential to make driving much safer and greatly reduce the number of accidents.
4. E1 Thermoelectric generator
The E1 thermoelectric generator is a container-sized generator that converts waste heat into energy. It was made by clean technology company, Alphabet Energy. The E1 takes exhaust heat from large industrial engines and turns it into electricity. The result is an engine that needs less fuel to deliver the same power. The E1 is optimized for engines up to 1,400 kW, and works on any engine or exhaust source. The E1’s modules currently come with a low-cost proprietary thermoelectric material and the device is rated for a 10-year life span.
3. Emergent artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is, in simple terms, the science of doing by computer the things that people can do. In contrast to normal hardware and software, AI enables a machine to perceive and respond to its changing environment. Emergent AI takes this a step further, with progress arising from machines that learn automatically by assimilating large volumes of information. Like next-generation robotics, improved AI will lead to significant increase in productivity as machines take over – and even perform better – certain human tasks. AI clearly comes with risks; the most obvious being that super intelligent machines might one day overcome and enslave humans. This risk, although still decades away, is taken increasingly seriously by experts, many of whom signed an open letter coordinated by the Future of Life Institute in January 2015 to direct the future of AI away from potential pitfalls.
2. Ariel LED light
After years of careful engineering, Dyson and his company, Jake Dyson Products have made Ariel, a sleek, suspended light which can last 40 years before anything – even the bulb – needs replacing. The light can run for at least 180,000 hours — a full 40 years of shining at full brightness for twelve hours a day, and believe it or not, that’s just the minimum estimate! The bulb runs for so long that they simply haven’t had enough time to determine its maximum lifespan yet.
The bulb, named the “Ariel” suspension light, gets its name from the Ariel 1 satellite — the first British satellite launched into space in 1962. It incorporates the same heat pipe cooling technology that was initially developed to siphon heat away from a satellite’s microprocessors and help it maintain a stable operating temperature in outer space. In Dyson’s LED bulb, this technology allows the device to function at a lower temperature using less energy.
1. Wearable tech and web
In 2015, the web can be accessed from more than just computers and mobile devices – it can also be accessed from watches and cameras. These days, a pair of headphones can monitor your heart’s electrical activity and feed the data to your smartphone.
A good example is the Apple watch which goes beyond simple counting of calories into something that truly connects. The watch can add a physical dimension to alerts and notifications, like feeling a gentle tap with each incoming message, and letting you connect with your favourite people in fun, spontaneous ways — like sending a tap, a sketch, or even your heartbeat.
This wearable tech also gives you a complete picture of your daily activities and gradually learns your fitness level. It uses this information to improve the accuracy of your measurements and suggest personalized daily activity goals. It even provides custom reminders to encourage you to achieve them. Perhaps in the future, our wearables will be used to prove if we really are as active as we claim to be, and really did run (or walk) where and when we said we did.
About the Writer: Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele.
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This article was first published on 28th April 2015
chris-bamidele
Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele.
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4. E1 Thermoelectric generator
The E1 thermoelectric generator is a container-sized generator that converts waste heat into energy. It was made by clean technology company, Alphabet Energy. The E1 takes exhaust heat from large industrial engines and turns it into electricity. The result is an engine that needs less fuel to deliver the same power. The E1 is optimized for engines up to 1,400 kW, and works on any engine or exhaust source. The E1’s modules currently come with a low-cost proprietary thermoelectric material and the device is rated for a 10-year life span.
3. Emergent artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is, in simple terms, the science of doing by computer the things that people can do. In contrast to normal hardware and software, AI enables a machine to perceive and respond to its changing environment. Emergent AI takes this a step further, with progress arising from machines that learn automatically by assimilating large volumes of information. Like next-generation robotics, improved AI will lead to significant increase in productivity as machines take over – and even perform better – certain human tasks. AI clearly comes with risks; the most obvious being that super intelligent machines might one day overcome and enslave humans. This risk, although still decades away, is taken increasingly seriously by experts, many of whom signed an open letter coordinated by the Future of Life Institute in January 2015 to direct the future of AI away from potential pitfalls.
2. Ariel LED light
After years of careful engineering, Dyson and his company, Jake Dyson Products have made Ariel, a sleek, suspended light which can last 40 years before anything – even the bulb – needs replacing. The light can run for at least 180,000 hours — a full 40 years of shining at full brightness for twelve hours a day, and believe it or not, that’s just the minimum estimate! The bulb runs for so long that they simply haven’t had enough time to determine its maximum lifespan yet.
The bulb, named the “Ariel” suspension light, gets its name from the Ariel 1 satellite — the first British satellite launched into space in 1962. It incorporates the same heat pipe cooling technology that was initially developed to siphon heat away from a satellite’s microprocessors and help it maintain a stable operating temperature in outer space. In Dyson’s LED bulb, this technology allows the device to function at a lower temperature using less energy.
1. Wearable tech and web
In 2015, the web can be accessed from more than just computers and mobile devices – it can also be accessed from watches and cameras. These days, a pair of headphones can monitor your heart’s electrical activity and feed the data to your smartphone.
A good example is the Apple watch which goes beyond simple counting of calories into something that truly connects. The watch can add a physical dimension to alerts and notifications, like feeling a gentle tap with each incoming message, and letting you connect with your favourite people in fun, spontaneous ways — like sending a tap, a sketch, or even your heartbeat.
This wearable tech also gives you a complete picture of your daily activities and gradually learns your fitness level. It uses this information to improve the accuracy of your measurements and suggest personalized daily activity goals. It even provides custom reminders to encourage you to achieve them. Perhaps in the future, our wearables will be used to prove if we really are as active as we claim to be, and really did run (or walk) where and when we said we did.
About the Writer: Chris Bamidele is a passionate and unapologetic Nigerian, who believes in God and humanity. He is a writer, blogger, and an aspiring Television Director; and an optimist to the core. He blogs at www.chrisbamidele.wordpress.com and tweets @Chrisbamidele.
