Technologies and Predictions - Essay Example

Running Head: Technologies and Predictions Technologies and Predictions [Institute’s Technologies and Predictions Introduction Experts now all over the world seem to agree to the fact that human growth over the past millions of years has been exponential. It took centuries for the first human to discover about communication, clothing, and food and adopt other basic societal reforms. However, with the passage of time the growth occurred at an astonishingly increasing pace. Moreover, this exponential trend of growth has now reached to such extreme levels that now everyday marks a beginning of a new revolution, new change, new discovery and new world altogether. In fact, recent history proves that the “Next Big thing” is knocking at our doors even when we have not adjusted to previous technology completely. This has actually created a heated debate amongst technicians and experts regarding the future of technologies. The prime objective of this essay is to explore and analyze the future predictions and developments in the technology. However, this essay has narrowed its focus on three particular technologies of television, robotics, and electric cars. Starting with a brief introduction of each technology, the essay will present the predictions; explain the basis of these predictions followed by the impacts of these technological developments. Discussion 1. Television 1.1 Technology According to Britannica encyclopedia, “television is an electronic system for transmitting still or moving images and sound to receivers that project a view of the images on a picture tube or screen and recreate the sound” (Jensen & Toscan, pp. 41-49, 1999). Without any doubts, most of the 20th century was the century of television because the impact it created was beyond the thoughts and expectations of anyone. The first televisions used the cathode ray tube technology, received analog signals, and were monochrome. However, it was during the mid 1900’s when color television came into the market. Likewise, since the 1990’s it have been the high definition televisions (HDTV), flat panel display systems and 3D television systems, which have ruled the scene. 1.2 Predictions There is a lot of buzz in the market regarding the new technological development in this field called as organic light emitting diode (OLED) which is ready and about to land in the markets. The next few years, this technology would probably rule the market. Made from organic polymers and having a thin conductor in between. Moreover, they do not need backlights to form the image, which means that their size is the thinnest in the market and so flexible that one can even roll it like a T-shirt. Another development that the market is long expecting is the 3D TV. The idea lies in the concept that both of the human eyes, if see different images designed specifically for that particular eye, only then the brain would accept that image as a 3D image. The 3D TV would have many lenses on its screen to clarify the image and more importantly, it would follow the principle of “autostereoscopic” display, which means that it would make sure that the image intended for the left eye hits the left eye and vice versa therefore making the viewer see a 3D image (William, & Williams, pp. 78-83, 2003). Scientists believe that it would take another 7-10 years for this technology to reach the global markets but without any doubts, it is one of the most awaited technologies. 1.3 Basis of Predictions It is important to understand that experts predict that the current technologies of LCD, Plasma, DLP, and CRT would soon crash and would become obsolete. The biggest reason behind this assumption is their inefficiency in terms of energy saving. Moreover, they are very heavy, expensive, and inflexible as compared to new expected products. Moreover, OLED would come and rule the market due to the same reasons. They are energy efficient, extremely thin, high resolution and lightweight product. 1.4 Impact Without any doubts, these technologies would make this world an even more elegant place, for humans to live. With OLED, we would enter into a “new green era” of using energy efficient objects even for daily use. Moreover, people would be able to carry their TVS with them may be in their files or brief cases. With the invention of 3D TV, the human species would accomplish its long dream of 3D images. However, we expect that the prices would be extremely high for this product because for the fact that it would use an eye detector in its front screen and would ask the film creators to shoot their videos, movies and films with multiple cameras. 2. Robotics 2.1 Technology Humans have been trying hard to find their substitutes since centuries. Practices like cloning and others are an attempt to achieve the same goal. However, robots have come up as the best solution for this. They are machines designed and programmed in such a way that they can perform certain tasks in such a way that it appears as if that they are doing it on their own. Their usage includes several purposes like human services, research, industry, manufacturing, space workings, and others. This technology certainly has such potential that many experts accept the fact that in the coming decades many robots would replace humans in many fields. 2.2 Prediction This section or even this whole essay is not enough to record the predictions, expectations and future trends in robotics because there are just so many of them. Out of these, one of the most important robots would be a “housemaid robot,” which would be able to do all the tasks that a house cleaner is able to do. It would be able to recognize voice, receive input, would be sensitive to touch, and would be able to perform multiple tasks at the same time. Scientists are also working hard to produce robots that can show, express, and feel the human emotions. In fact, in the coming 10-15 years we would witness robots that would express and feel human emotions thus providing companionship to humans (Domaine, pp. 10-19, 2006). Likewise, scientists also believe to build robots that could store information and thus useable as educational robots in replacements of teachers. 2.3 Basis of these predictions The desire of a house cleaner robot is not new. In fact, it was back in 1959 when this prediction came onto the scene in “closer than we think” (Faust, pp. 10-19, 2007). As the humans are progressing, and the lives are becoming busier and more occupied, people certainly are looking for ways in which they can decrease their burden of work. Another basis for this prediction is the fact that the basic model for a house cleaner robot has already come in form of Honda Asimo. This little white robot has the ability to identify its owner, understand and obey his tasks and serve drinks as well. One of the pioneer researchers of Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been able to build Kismet, a robot that has a human face (Faust, pp. 10-19, 2007). Furthermore, it would make a sad face when left alone; show a happy face when surrounded by humans. Besides, if you carry Kismet at a high speed he would show emotions of fear. Kismet provides a strong base for the prediction and assumption that in the coming years we would witness robots able to provide companionship to humans. WE-4R is another robot that can do the same. 2.4 Impacts Quite understandably, this would make our lives more stylish and comfortable. If people find an alternative for these everyday mundane tasks then they would definitely be able to increase their economic productivity to great extent (Angelo, pp. 64-68, 2007). That would help us enter a new world of efficiency, high productivity, and comfort. In addition, an era of robots would mean an era of high human development. 3. Electric Cars 3.1 Technology An electric car is a type of vehicle, which uses electricity instead of diesel, petrol, or CNG as fuel. These cars usually have many sophisticated batteries, which store the energy required for operating the car. Debate about them started as early as in the 19th century. In fact, there are many automobile companies producing at least one or two models of electric cars because they know that this is the future. 3.2 Predictions Experts believe that very soon, we would witness electric cars similar to the size of the cars that we use today. They would also come in different models and sizes like the other automobiles. In addition, the most important is that very soon scientists would be able to come up with a way to resolve the problem of charging or replacing the batteries of cars, which would certainly become a hurdle during long journeys. Scientists believe that they would soon be able to come up with fuel cells or capsules that would contain enough energy to recharge the batteries (Leitman & Brant, pp. 55-59, 2008). All the consumer would need to do is to lead those cells or capsules to the existing battery and that would recharge them instantly. Moreover, we would also witness many battery recharge stations instead of petrol or gas pumps in the near future. 3.3 Basis of Predictions There are so many reasons for the dominance of electric cars in the near future. Quite understandably, the most important of all these problems would be the problem of energy shortage in the coming years. At the end of the next decade, many countries would face the energy crisis and would realize that they would have to turn to alternative forms of energy. Electric cars would come up as the best option. They not only use electricity but also are far more efficient than other cars. For example, the fuel and energy that goes out as waste during applying the brakes and slowing of the cars, the same energy would be reusable by the help of car batteries. Electric cars have the ability to give higher mileage, higher acceleration, and safety (Hamilton, General Research Corporation & United States Environmental Protection Agency, pp. 118-124, 2008). However, the biggest problem regarding these cars is the problem that the users would face to recharge the batteries while long journeys. In addition, the costs of acquiring and installation of these batteries is quite high. However, experts believe that if governments play a positive role by helping this industry and promoting these for a greener environment then both of the above-mentioned problems would not hurt the electric car industry that much. In addition, with mass production of batteries we would be able to achieve economies of scale at least in long run to decrease the prices of it. 3.4 Impact Mass usage of electric cars would be a blessing for this planet and the human species because this way we would be able to reduce pollution to some significant level. Moreover, we would move to greener, sustainable, and efficient approach of living at this planet making this planet a better place to live not only for us but for our future generations as well. References Angelo, Joseph A. (2007). Robotics: a reference guide to the new technology. Libraries Unlimited. Domaine, Helena. (2006). Robotics. Lerner Publications. Faust, Russel A. (2007). Robotics in surgery: history, current and future applications. Nova Publishers. Hamilton, William, General Research Corporation & United States. Environmental Protection Agency. (2007). Impact of Future Use of Electric Cars in the Los Angeles Region: Task reports on electric car characterization and baseline projections. General Research Corporation. Jensen, Jens F., & Toscan, Cathy. (1999). Interactive television: TV of the future or the future of TV? Aalborg University Press. Leitman, Seth, & Brant, Bob. (2008). Build Your Own Electric Vehicle. McGraw-Hill Professional. Williams, Raymond, & Williams, Ederyn. (2003). Television: technology and cultural form. Routledge. Read More