The rapidly changing technology is of great influence on our daily lives. Twenty years ago, we didn’t think we would be so dependent on our smartphones today.
But where will the technology be 25 years from now? Thisinsider interviewed Ian Pearson about it, a futurist who saw through 85 percent of his predictions about the future of technology.
1. 2018: drones that deliver packages
It’s a question of patience. Drones are developing so rapidly that worldwide deliveries will soon be made by drone. Tests are already underway at DHL, for example, but according to Pearson, drones will, for example, deliver packages to hospitals in 2018. He doesn’t think things like pizza will be delivered that way.
2. 2021: The Hyperloop
The Delft University of Technology presented its Hyperloop in July. A Hyperloop is a kind of giant tube in which travel capsules move. These ‘pods’ are held in the air by means of magnets. The virtual absence of air friction in the tubes means that the Hyperloop can reach a speed of 1,200 kilometers per hour. Pearson predicts that in the next five to six years, people will actually be able to be transported by Hyperloop over short distances. Traveling from Amsterdam to Paris in half an hour would be great, wouldn’t it?
3. 2025: Robots think like humans
Would you be surprised to see the scenes from the movie Ex-Machina come true? A robot with artificial intelligence that looks and behaves exactly like a human being. It is a reality that we are fast approaching. Pearson: “Google DeepMind doesn’t exist yet, but I’m pretty sure they’ll invent all of this in the years to come. A computer could already become a superman in 2020. That would be the beginning of the end. Yes, we must admit that he is not wrong on this point.
4. 2030: trips to Mars
At the Vox Media Code Conference in June, Elon Musk said he wants to send astronauts to Mars in 2024, so that they will arrive there in 2025. Then it will only be a matter of time before individuals will also visit Mars .
5. The development of prostheses
The development of prostheses is extremely rapid. We already know about the 3D-printed robotic hand prosthesis, but there’s even a 25-year-old scientist with an arm with a personal drone and built-in flashlight. According to Pearson, prostheses are becoming more and more sophisticated and would even allow us to develop and acquire new skills.
6. Superhuman abilities through clothes
Hyundai has developed a special suit that makes it easier to lift heavy objects. Pearson imagines that special leggings allowing you to walk or run more easily will also see the light of day. Or imagine: a Spiderman costume improves your strength. If we let our imaginations run wild, superhero powers could become a reality.
7. 2025: the smartphone is obsolete
According to Pearson, smartphones will be outdated in 2025 and this is linked to the development of augmented reality. A screen will probably be able to be pulled from a small bracelet, thus rendering the smartphone useless.
8. Self-driving cars = the future
A good number of companies, like Tesla and Google, are in full development of the autonomous car. Pearson does not know if it will really be cars that will transport us in the future, or rather a system of Pods, like this driverless taxi. It is more efficient and more economical.
9. 2035: 3D printed houses
Some architects are already working on the first 3D printed houses. In China, there even seems to be a company that produces 10 3D printed houses a day. The cost? $5,000 apiece. According to Pearson, 3D printed homes will be a huge asset in our increasingly densely populated cities.
10. 2030: a housekeeping robot
How practical would it be: a robot-assistant that does the housework, washes, irons and cooks for you? Toyota has already announced such a project. We are impatient…
11. 2045: live like in the Matrix
According to Pearson, advanced technology will allow us in the future to connect our brains to a computer and we might be able to live in a simulated world. It is better not to think too much about it at the risk of completely losing your head. It’s fascinating to imagine all that the future holds, but it can also be pretty scary.
12. 2045: half human, half robot
If we can connect our brain to a computer in the future, this means that we can also partly transform humans into machines. Here’s another scary idea. According to Pearson, the technology will be fine, but he thinks governments should regulate it. Otherwise it will degenerate.
13. 2050: space tourism
Tourists could visit the space by 2050, but it will be reserved for the wealthiest people. Separately, Pearson says companies like Elon Musk’s SpaceX are advocating for accessible space tourism.
