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Technology has progressed at such a rapid pace in recent years that it's almost impossible to picture life without it. Thanks to the brilliant and creative minds behind these innovations, the tech world has the potential to reshape our future. Whether it will revolutionize the way we live or transform the treatment of various diseases, technology is poised to redefine the world as we know it.
Recent research has led to some groundbreaking developments, from a minuscule microchip designed to enhance biometric security to a device capable of extracting fresh water from the air in vast quantities. These cutting-edge inventions offer a glimpse into a future where we can improve our daily lives and build a more sustainable planet.
Below are ten of the most remarkable technological feats in recent history.
10. Versatile Implants
In Sweden, people are flocking to have rice grain-sized microchips implanted into their hands. Developed by Biohax International, one of the leading providers of this technology in Sweden, these microchips simplify everyday tasks, allowing users to access their homes, offices, and gyms with just a swipe of the hand. Additionally, the chips store emergency contact details, social media profiles, and even e-tickets for events and train rides.
The implantation process involves inserting the microchip just above the user’s thumb using a syringe similar to one used for vaccinations. This procedure costs approximately $180, and over 4,000 Swedes have already embraced the technology. Even Sweden's largest train company has joined the trend, allowing passengers to use their chips in place of tickets, with discussions already underway about using the technology for payments in stores and restaurants.
9. 3-D Metal Printing
3-D printing is a relatively new manufacturing technique that uses various types of plastic to create objects. Now, companies like HP and GE are making strides toward mainstream adoption of a new form of additive manufacturing with 3-D metal printing products. HP’s 3-D Printing Business has launched the HP Metal Jet, designed specifically for the rapid, cost-effective mass production of metal parts. Companies such as Parmatech are already using the HP Metal Jet in factory settings, with major customers including Volkswagen, Wilo, and niche manufacturers like Primo Medical Group and OKAY Industries.
GE Additive has introduced its own large-scale metal printer, the Arcam EBM Spectra H. This high-heat 3-D printer operates at temperatures exceeding 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,832 °F) and is capable of printing with metals prone to cracking, such as titanium aluminide and Alloy 718. By 2019, it will also be able to print with nickel super alloys. These printers are set to redefine additive manufacturing and offer a preview of what the future holds for industrial 3-D printing.
8. Synthetic Embryos
In a groundbreaking achievement, Dutch scientists have created synthetic mouse embryos without using sperm or eggs, a breakthrough that could have significant implications for treating human infertility. Researchers at the MERLN Institute for Technology-Inspired Regenerative Medicine in the Netherlands used non-traditional mouse cells to form “blastocyst-like structures.” By combining two types of mouse stem cells, these structures mimicked the early stages of embryo development. When placed in the wombs of female mice, these structures continued to grow for several days, marking a world-first in medical research.
This type of biomedical technology could play a crucial role in infertility research, especially in understanding miscarriages that happen at the implantation stage of development. Dr. Nicolas Rivron, the lead researcher, stated that his team will now be able to generate a large number of these embryos to study them in depth. This research could offer insights into why some embryos fail to implant and potentially lead to the discovery of drugs that improve fertility. However, such work may face challenges due to the bioethical concerns surrounding genetic engineering.
7. AI-Generated Painting Fetches $432,000
An AI program created by the Paris-based art collective Obvious has generated a painting that sold for $432,000 at auction. Prior to the sale, Christie’s in New York estimated the painting would go for only around $7,000 to $10,000. The piece, titled Portrait of Edmond Belamy, was created using an algorithm and a data set consisting of 15,000 portraits from the 14th to 20th centuries. The algorithm generated the artwork by continuously comparing its own creation to those in the data set until it could no longer distinguish between the two.
The auction, organized by Christie’s specialist Richard Lloyd, drew significant media attention. According to Lloyd, AI is one of several emerging technologies poised to transform the art market in the future, though it remains too early to predict the full extent of that transformation.
6. Drones Capable of Lifting 40 Times Their Own Weight
Researchers at Switzerland's Ecole Polytechnique Federale de Lausanne (EPFL) and Stanford University have developed a new generation of small flying robots that can carry objects up to 40 times their own weight. These drones, named FlyCroTugs (short for “flying, micro tugging robots”), are equipped with winches, adhesives, and microspines that enable them to latch onto nearly anything. Although some parts like the winch are fixed, the drones are highly adaptable. For example, their grippers can be repositioned based on the landing surface, and additional accessories like wheels can be attached for specific tasks.
When the drones need to lift an object, their grippers are activated to attach to the item. These grippers use a special non-sticky adhesive, inspired by the toes of geckos, which creates intermolecular forces between their pads and the object's surface. If this isn’t enough, the drones also feature microspines—metal spikes resembling the tip of a fishing hook. These drones are ideal for delicate operations, such as rescue missions. In one test, researchers were able to open a door by lassoing the handle, turning it, and pulling until the door opened. In another trial, a drone equipped with a camera explored a deteriorating structure.
5. The Automated Robot Farm
In San Carlos, California, a start-up called Iron Ox has established a fully autonomous farm. This hydroponic indoor farm uses two robots to plant, maintain, and harvest crops. The first robot, roughly the size of a car and weighing about 450 kilograms (1,000 lb), is responsible for moving trays of plants around the greenhouse. The second robot, a robotic arm, handles more intricate tasks like seeding and transplanting.
When a tray of plants reaches the right growth stage, the mobile robot transports it to the processing zone. There, the robotic arm carefully transfers the young plants from the crowded trays into containers with more space. Brandon Alexander, co-founder and CEO of Iron Ox, says that the company can produce the equivalent of 30 acres of outdoor farming within just a single acre of its robotic farm. The company aims to expand by establishing more robotic farms near urban areas, offering fresher produce upon arrival. Currently, Iron Ox is growing leafy greens and herbs, with plans to add crops like tomatoes in the future.
4. A Road That Powers Electric Vehicles While They Drive
Sweden is aiming to achieve fossil fuel-free transportation by 2030, and the Swedish government has just introduced a significant step toward reaching this goal. A stretch of road near Stockholm is now equipped to charge electric vehicles as they travel along it. The project, called eRoadArlanda, uses technology similar to that used for electric trolleys and buses but integrates the charging cables directly into the road. When a retrofitted vehicle enters this electric section, a mechanical arm extends and charges the car’s battery. The system works in any weather condition.
While the system is primarily designed to support heavy trucks, it will also be able to charge cars and buses. Drivers will be charged for the electricity they use while driving on the road. The eRoadArlanda project has completed a 2.01-kilometer (1.25-mile) stretch of electrified road on a public highway as part of the trial, and there are plans to extend this technology across the country.
3. The Device That Extracts Water From Air
A team based in California has developed machines that can generate hundreds of gallons of fresh drinking water daily from the air, earning them a $1.5 million prize. These machines, named “Skywater,” were created by the Skysource/Skywater Alliance, a collective of sustainability experts from Venice, California. Housed in large metal enclosures, these atmospheric water generators extract water vapor from the air and convert it into potable water. The machines can be powered by solar energy or biofuels, making them ideal for homes, farms, and emergency relief operations.
The Skysource/Skywater Alliance was awarded the prestigious Water Abundance XPRIZE by XPRIZE, a nonprofit organization from California known for hosting multimillion-dollar competitions designed to solve global challenges. The two-year contest aimed to encourage the development of new technologies to address the global water crisis.
David Hertz, one of the key figures behind the Skysource/Skywater Alliance, expressed his enthusiasm for the potential impact of their machines in areas suffering from water shortages. He emphasized that the air contains ample water vapor for the machines to extract. In fact, Hertz claims there are about “37.5 million billion gallons of water” in the atmosphere at any given time—more fresh water than all of the rivers on Earth combined.
2. The App That Speeds Up Cancer Research
The DreamLab app works by using the idle processing power of a smartphone, running complex scientific calculations in the background for research purposes. The Vodafone Foundation recently announced that users of the DreamLab app have assisted cancer researchers in completing Project Genetic Profile, which analyzed the genetic similarities between brain, lung, melanoma, and sarcoma cancers. The app is now shifting focus to Project Demystify, aiming to unravel the links between physical traits in humans and their genetic foundations. Dr. Warren Kaplan, Chief of Informatics at the Garvan Institute, highlighted how the app exemplifies the power of 'citizen science,' where community efforts contribute to advancing research.
Cancer is a genetic disease, and to comprehend it fully, researchers must decode the DNA of cancer patients. DreamLab plays a crucial role in this process by allowing users to contribute to the project. With 20 million calculations contributed, New Zealanders alone have logged over 220,000 'dreaming sessions,' speeding up data analysis by three times.
1. Boston Dynamics’ First Commercial Robot Launch
Boston Dynamics, famous for its agile robots, is launching its first commercial product: the dog-like robot SpotMini. Announced in May 2018, SpotMini is slated for release in July 2019, with plans to ship 1,000 units per year. The goal is to create a versatile platform for various uses, such as construction, security, home assistance, and delivery. SpotMini’s relative, Spot, stands 1.2 meters (4 feet) tall and weighs around 73 kilograms (160 pounds). Videos showcasing the robot’s impressive skills—like traversing rugged terrain and maintaining balance when kicked—are available on YouTube.
The SpotMini boasts a sleek, compact design, standing at approximately 0.9 meters (3 feet) tall and weighing 25 kilograms (55 pounds). Its size allows it to access areas that larger robots can't reach, and with the addition of an optional snake-like arm, it can perform tasks such as opening doors. A universal expansion port will enable third parties to create and attach custom tools. It won't be long before robots like SpotMini are helping with everyday tasks, becoming a common sight in our lives.
