How the Commodore 64 is helping pave the way to the these 5 amazing technologies

I am going to put it out there that if it wasn't for the Commodore 64 I would not be here writing this article. I wouldn't be a CTO and in fact I wouldn't even be in technology at all. I would be counting fish sperm, a skill I learnt from my first degree at University, Biology majoring in Aquatic Sciences. What the hell does that have to do with Transformers? Bear with me a little longer and let this article breathe.

The Commodore 64 was the first mass produced PC that was on the right price point and therefore accessible to almost anyone. In fact, you could buy it at Target or Kmart. Within 2 years almost every second person I knew at school owned one and all of a sudden, the computing classes at school were full. It inspired a nation of up and coming computer scientists, developers, gamers and engineers. It was our first encounter with advanced at-home technology. I am sure the Apple enthusiasts amongst you will be suggesting it was the Macintosh II that made that quantum leap but the fact the C64 cost $595 when released and the Mac II cost $5,498 made the former indisputably more accessible. There is no doubt the Mac II was more powerful but that is not the essence of my point. The fact that almost anyone could save up for a C64 meant that it was on the desks of tens of thousands of young enthusiasts. And if you were like me you were curious to know what was in that box, how it worked and what I could do to change it if I pulled it apart. The peripherals were not vast but because you could copy games onto tapes and you could also write your own BASIC code it opened up imaginations and fed children's dreams.

 I am going to be bold again and suggest that the C64 planted the technology seed in the brains of hundreds of thousands of IT professionals, technologists and Engineers currently in the workforce. These individuals are now stamping their influence on some of the most amazing leaps in technology we have ever seen.

So now I will come back to the Transformer bit. I am going to talk about five advancements in technology that involved someone I have met and all of whom suggested the C64 was one of their first and fondest memories of technology as a child. Understandably, most emerging technology originates from a military application so it should be no surprise that so too are all of the following. 

1. From The Transformers to the Jet Transformer (BAE Systems)

This project aims to harness the power of "one" over the powers of its individual parts to extend the range of modern aircraft. When these aircraft travel long distances they join together to make one larger aircraft in turn reducing air friction and reducing the number of required engines. This results in the use of significantly less fuel and therefore extended flight range. When they reach their target they split up into individual aircraft to carry out their mission. Okay its not quite the Transformer you were probably picturing however it is still the topic of science fiction and an amazing leap in capability if it can be made.

2. From Sutures to Injectable Nanobots (Classified) 

Traditionally on the battlefield when a soldier is wounded they either wait for someone to help stem their bleeding, stem it themselves or lose large quantities of blood and potentially die. The idea behind injectable nanobots is to introduce tiny robots into the blood stream to go seek out and repair torn blood vessels and tissue. It is still very conceptual however they have progressed the technology enough to produce tiny robots with flagellating appendages that can propel the bot through fluid. Focus is now on creating controllable appendages that can use energy to cut and cauterize. So in the future if a soldier is wounded in battle he or she simply pulls out a needle and injects a fluid saturated in smart bots.

However, the use cases for this technology don’t stop at stemming blood loss. These nanobots will eventually be able to seek out and remove tumors, cysts, foreign bodies, blocked arteries and potentially even viruses. Imagine curing cancer by going to the local GP for an injection. Scientists believe injectable nanobots will be in medical use by 2040.

 3. From Dot Matrix Printers to Printable Drones (BAE Systems)

Advances in drone technology is nothing new. We have all witnessed the rapid progression of drones to the point we are now seeing pizzas delivered via the technology. What you might not be aware of is BAE System’s plan to develop 3D printers that can rapidly build drones with varying capabilities. The idea is that these 3D printers would be installed on transportation aircraft which would be deployed to military operations. As that transportation aircraft is flying, 3D printers would be building drones with specific capabilities. For example, if it was for a reconnaissance mission, drones would be built with stealth capabilities, high definition cameras and a low noise signature. However, if it was for a battle scenario, attack drones with weapons systems, high maneuverability and speed would be printed.

Advances in material technology also suggest that it won't be long until self healing mesh will be able to fix aircraft damage in flight. So instead of having to return to base or pull the ejector seat cord (believe me you don't want to do that unless you really have to) the aircraft's exoskeleton will repair itself. 

4. From One to One million rounds per minute (Metal Storm)

 Weapons have come a long way since the Chinese invented black powder in the 9th century. However it has taken centuries to realise that you can pack projectiles nose to nose in a barrel to dramatically increase the weapon’s fire rate. Metal Storm invented such a capability which resulted in literally a barrage or “storm” of projectiles released at a rate of 16,000 rounds per SECOND! Not only does this work for bullet projectiles but for almost any metal format including grenades which they sold to the American army.

This video speaks for itself:

5. From Classroom Laser Pointers to Directed Energy Weapons (Various Developers)

Lasers are no longer a thing of science fiction or Star Wars episodes. The device that has been the enemy of sports event organisers for years is now weaponizable. Weapon Engineers have taken the science behind hand held lasers and amplified it by about one million percent. The result is a focused energy beam that can literally reduce small boats to ash. As seen in the clip below High Energy Lasers have been developed to a point where it can be mounted on a ship and used to neutralize enemy targets. These lasers are so powerful that one of the most serious issues scientists need to overcome is preventing the beam accidentally penetrating the atmosphere and destroying a satellite. Of course if they get it right not only will this capability have military applications but also commercial in preventing piracy on the open oceans.

So there you have it. Five examples of where technology visionaries have dreamed big. And although you may not believe all or even any of these technologies will stamp a positive impact on our World it is hard to deny that they are innovative. And just as the commodore 64 did over three decades ago, these leaps in technology will inspire new dreamers to think big and the cycle will continue.

Over the years I have had the privilege to work on some amazing technology projects. And as I look back on those projects I can recall achieving many significant milestones. I also recall that every time we hit one of those milestones I would take the time to sit on my couch with a red wine or beer and remember how my love affair of technology started. It always drew me back to my fascination of that grey - beige box.