Buzz
As technology advances year after year, products that once existed only in futuristic movies are now accessible to regular consumers. Robots to help with housework? Check. Delivery drones? They're already here.
Given the rapid pace of technological progress, the possibilities for the future seem endless. Perhaps that dystopian world run by robots isn’t as distant as we imagined...
10. Amazon Astro
Today, robots are capable of performing a wide variety of tasks in our homes. The iRobot can assist with vacuuming, Keurig serves up your essential morning coffee, and smart speakers are at your command for weather updates.
Amazon’s latest innovation, the Astro home robot, is set to outshine all others. More like a pet than a traditional robot, Amazon Astro can map your home and perfectly align itself with the different rooms. With this capability, Astro can conduct security checks while you're away using facial recognition, deliver items to different rooms, or even stream your favorite movies and TV shows. Unlike the creepy NS-5 robots from the movie I, Robot, Astro travels on three wheels and greets you with two large eyes on its screen, giving it a cuter, less intimidating look. Though currently available by invitation only, you can still request one, and it won’t be long before it’s available to everyone.
9. Transparent TV Screens
Transparent screens have made appearances in countless futuristic films, from Divergent to The Maze Runner, and even Iron Man when interacting with Jarvis. Fans of futuristic displays will be happy to hear that multiple companies are now releasing their own versions of the long-awaited transparent television screens.
Leading the charge is LG, with their 55-inch OLED transparent screens. These are primarily designed for commercial use, such as storefront displays. However, it’s only a matter of time before these futuristic screens are available to consumers, and you could soon have one in your living room.
Another major player in the transparent TV market is the Chinese company Xiaomi, which introduced a transparent TV for home use in 2020. With a price tag of $7,200, it’s out of reach for most, but still an impressive piece of technology. Like LG’s model, it’s a 55-inch OLED panel that can become fully transparent whether it’s in use or turned off.
8. VR Headsets
Who doesn’t dream of a world brimming with limitless possibilities, as seen through the headsets worn by characters in Ready Player One? Given some of the events unfolding in real life, wouldn’t it be nice to escape reality every once in a while?
The invention of virtual reality headsets in 1968 made this dream a reality. Although it didn’t gain widespread popularity until the mid-2010s, VR is now an everyday tool used for both commercial and entertainment purposes. The Covid-19 pandemic further fueled its growth, with virtual and augmented reality headset sales reaching 11.2 million units just last year. Virtual reality is becoming the future of gaming, offering a far more immersive experience. Additionally, it holds incredible commercial potential, allowing consumers and producers alike to interact more deeply with their products through VR.
7. Self-Driving Cars
It’s a fairly obvious one, but worth mentioning nonetheless. The primary goal of robots is to make life easier. In perhaps the most dreaded part of the day—sitting in traffic during your morning commute—how much better would it be if you could simply sit back and relax while the car takes care of everything for you?
A car’s capability to do this is almost here. With Tesla’s autopilot feature, one of the most sophisticated in the industry, users can simply relax while the car takes care of acceleration, deceleration, and even lane changes. Many would relish the chance to use this feature in heavy traffic or on long stretches of open road. The real question, however, is whether you'd feel comfortable trusting the system after the incidents involving autopilot when drivers weren’t paying attention.
Mercedes-Benz is another company leading the charge in the self-driving car industry, becoming the first to sell a level-3 autonomous vehicle in 2022. On their autonomous research webpage, they state, “Today’s discussion no longer revolves around whether the technology will deliver on its promise but whether people want what the technology can deliver.”
6. Smart Glasses
Wearable tech has been on the rise in recent years, particularly with products like the Apple Watch and self-lacing shoes. Now, this technology has made its way to the lenses of eyeglasses.
Several companies have made strides toward creating various types of smart glasses. Some are designed for taking pictures, others for playing music, but the truly futuristic models are those that can display information right on the lenses in front of your eyes. Companies like Google have produced smart glasses that make you look like a cyborg. However, most consumers are after smart glasses that can pass for regular eyewear.
Many of today’s smart glasses utilize augmented reality, allowing users to watch movies, view navigation instructions, and perform other small tasks. Glasses like the Vusik Blade even come with built-in cameras. The downside? They can be bulky and quite expensive.
There are rumors swirling that Apple is planning to enter the smart glasses market in the near future. Given the integration of AR technology into their existing products, this forecast doesn’t seem too far-fetched.
5. 3D Printers
The ability to create just about anything within hours may seem like the domain of high-end industrial machinery. Back in the early 2010s, 3D printers were out of reach for hobbyists and private consumers due to their hefty price tags. Premium features like heated printing beds and finer filaments were reserved for the more expensive models.
When Creality introduced the Ender product line in 2018, it raised the bar for hobbyist 3D printing. The Ender 3 boasted features found in much pricier models but was sold at an incredibly affordable price, under $200—something previously unheard of at the time.
3D printing technology has truly revolutionized numerous industries. Parts of any size can be produced quickly and affordably, often within a few hours. (LINK 16) Once you master the software needed to operate these futuristic machines, the potential creations with 3D printers are virtually limitless.
4. Iris Scanning Smartphones
It’s always fascinating when movie characters approach a secret door and use their retinas for scanning. Today, this technology exists in some of the most common devices we use: our smartphones!
Fujitsu, a Chinese phone manufacturer, was the first to introduce iris scanning to smartphones back in 2015. While this feature hasn’t gained widespread popularity, especially in recent models, it remains one of the coolest tech advancements. Samsung made iris scanning available on its Galaxy S9 and S9+ models, which became the best-selling phones at the time of their release.
Biometric security features like fingerprint scanners and facial recognition are now standard on most new smartphones, particularly the flagship models. Although iris scanning has taken a backseat in favor of these methods, it’s still a cutting-edge feature that we once only saw in sci-fi movies before making its way into consumer phones.
3. Live Video Drones
The idea of drones seems to have been ripped straight from the pages of a dystopian future. From delivery drones to security drones, and drones that can reach places humans can’t, the possibilities are endless. Recently, drones have taken the world by storm, becoming affordable and fun for hobbyists and consumers alike to purchase and build.
Today, drones are transforming industries. They help track wildfires, assist with crop management on farms, and support law enforcement during large events. The quadcopter’s impressive technology and agility have opened doors to endless applications. What once seemed like a futuristic dream has become a reality—drones are everywhere and accessible to purchase for a reasonable price.
2. Smart…Rings?
Adding to the growing collection of wearable tech from a futuristic world are smart rings. Sounds strange, right? But many smart rings on the market are similar to FitBits, offering features like heart rate tracking and even monitoring your blood oxygen levels.
The real appeal of smart rings lies in their additional features. While health monitoring is a great start, the ability to make phone calls from a tiny ring takes things to the next level. With the ORII smart ring, this is possible. Slightly larger than other rings, it’s a great option for those who prefer not to wear smartwatches but still want the convenience of phone calls right from their finger. This ring can also control smart lights, open blinds, and more through gestures. It’s a multifunctional ring that can do as much as a phone, yet in a fraction of the size. Now that’s truly impressive technology.
1. Smart Refrigerators
Here’s a fun fact you probably didn’t know: Internet-connected refrigerators have been around since the late 90s. In fact, one of the earliest mentions of smart fridges joked that they would allow you to ‘live like the Jetsons.’ But honestly, why would anyone need a fridge that connects to the internet? What’s the real benefit?
Today’s smart fridges can display useful information like the weather or current news. However, one of their coolest features is the ability to see inside the fridge without even opening the door. While it won’t save you much time (by the time you ask the fridge to take a picture, you could’ve opened the door), it’s still impressive to see how a common household item has been upgraded with technology. Plus, who wouldn’t want to watch TV or movies on their fridge?
Despite all these features, smart fridges haven’t really taken off. Most of what they offer can already be done with your smartphone. But who knows? Perhaps one day, they’ll be smart enough to handle your grocery shopping for you.
