"Impossible" Sci-Fi Innovations We Will Surpass In 2024
So many developments have occurred in technology over the last year it is hard to remember just how much innovation actually occurred. After some research, it occurred to me that a huge number of previously "Sci-Fi" inventions have already reached reality.
Not only that, we are on track to match and SURPASS many of the technologies once viewed as "Futuristic" to the point where many Sci-Fi movies actually even look ... dated.
#1: Holodecks
I just watched this YouTube video which was introduced 1 year ago attempting to estimate when we will get viable Holodecks. 12 months pre-dates a massive amount of Generative AI innovation and ChatGPT.
We are 100%, without a doubt, going to have Holodecks. In fact, even talking about it at this point seems sort of outdated.
"Holodecks? Of course we are going to have those. Yawn."
Not only are we 100% getting Holodecks, we will have them and already do have them in multiple form factors at multiple price points.
Holodecks have effectively arrived and will only continue to get better and more immersive. It is not even a question we will have them. There are no limiting factors at this point other than GPU processing power.
#2: Tricorders
Devices that you can speak to in english, speak any language, can think, can answer any questions and are foldable and transportable with satellite connectivity?
Yeah, we pretty much have 100% of that now. Between ChatGPT, AI voice applications, Starlink and modern cellphone technology - Phones that can do all these things exist today.
In fact, the original "Sci-Fi" vision of Tri-corders looks ...
Primitive. Dated. Stone Age. 1980's.
Not only do we already have Tricorders, they are BETTER than the tricorders we once aspired to have. How weird is that?
We actually BEAT Star Trek here.
#3: AI Girlfriends / Husbands / Spouses / Partners
I won't go further into this. It's happening.
Let's just keep going here.
#4: Star Trek Service Droids
With the introduction of Disney's bipedal robot earlier in the year, investments in Figure Robots and the Tesla Optimus: We are 100% about to get service droids.
Not only are we going to get service droids, we are probably going to get robots that match or exceed the capabilities of most of the droids from the 1970s era Star Wars and beyond.
Dyson's roomba competitor is not far off. Another few iterations and you can see where this leads.
#5: Star Trek Badges / Insignia
Star Trek badges which you can tap and use to talk to satellites and can answer any question you want.
Pretty much that is locked in, we are getting that.
领英推荐
Isn't it funny how this seems mundane now?
#6: Babelfish
In the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy a "Joke" (haha) was the idea of a small fish you insert in your ear that can automatically translate any language in real time.
Ha ha ha.
Actually, no, we are getting that. In fact we have something better: An airpod.
Real-time translation with an earpiece is nearly guaranteed at this point.
What was once deemed a "funny and inconceivable joke" of science fiction - We are there already.
#7: Humanoid Robots and Bipeds
Humanoid Bipeds are on their way. It wouldn't surprise me that we are able to buy them by next Christmas.
Another Sci-Fi dream that is going whizzing by in real time.
#8: The Turing Test
Once a milestone considered a major marker in the annals of academic thinking, the Turing Test (according to some noted experts) is now a thing of the past.
#9: Dick Tracy Watch Radio
The Dick Tracy watch radio was introduced in 1947.
We have had this for years now.
#10: (Dubious) Invisibility Cloak
There isn't really a great reason why "invisibility cloaks" as a concept are not possible. We already have flexible phones, so it isn't a huge leap to imagine fabrics which can adapt to match background surroundings. Recently such a fabric was announced by innovators in China.
If we can have foldable phones, suspect it won't be much longer before we really do have fabrics that can mirror surroundings. We may not have it yet, but it's coming.
#11: Jet Packs
We are getting flying humans. Jet pack humans. Humans with jet wings. It has already arrived and will only continue to improve.
#12: Flying Cars
There is a 100% chance we are getting flying cars, in lots of form factors. They are already here.
Remains to be seen / We might get it but not exactly what we hoped
Program Manager with automation, construction, semiconductor, hardware and material expertise at Intel Corporation
1 年Everything is possible with Hacksmith Industries. You should do a collab with them ??
The immersive 'holodeck' concept will still remain a north star for some time - while we can visually and audially create and remap environments with existing technology having haptics to simulate touch, and other senses are still in the distant future. - 10-20 years yes, today I'd say no. I had a similar reaction to several other entries in your list - there is a plausible line between today and these Sci-fi experiences but calling them 'here' is too much of a stretch for me. It is a fun list though, and hopefully spurs discussion and speculation.