The 21st century is the age of new technology: a time wherein we are witnessing digital innovation reach new heights. Several of these innovations are possible only in the realm of science fiction (sci-fi)… or so we thought.
Here are top 5 sci-fi technology recently made or about to be real:
Energy weapons
United States Humvee with Active Denial System mounted
The United States Navy have developed a Laser Weapons System to battle enemy drones and ships. A directed-energy weapon (DEW) emits highly focused energy, transferring that energy to a target to damage it. Potential applications of this technology include anti-personnel weapon systems, potential missile defense system, and the disabling of lightly armored vehicles such as cars, drones, jet skis, and electronic devices such as mobile phones.
In addition, the U.S. Navy also approved the first combat-ready laser canons after performing brilliantly in trials. The skipper of the amphibious dock transport vessel USS Ponce is authorized to use this weapon, called LaWS.
Universal Translator
Source: radiotimes.com
The highly influential movie Star Trek used a “universal translator” to communicate with aliens; and Microsoft recently announced Skype Translator, which allows near real-time audio translation from one language to another, utilizing advances in speech recognition and machine translation technologies. According to Microsoft, “It is early days for this technology, but the Star Trek vision for a Universal Translator isn’t a galaxy away, and its potential is every bit as exciting as those Star Trek examples.”
Exoskeletons a.k.a. Ironman suit
Source: Defense.org
Admit it! You fantasize being Ironman. Who doesn’t want to be a playboy, philanthropist millionaire with a freakin’ cool armored flying suit?!
The United States (again) is developing its own take of the Ironman suit. Defensetech.org reports that three early versions of the Tactical Light Assault Operator Suit (TALOS) are expected to be delivered this year (2015). Plans are in place for the suits to be used on the battlefield by 2018.
Bullets will (in theory) ping off the suit harmlessly just like Iron Man. The one cool thing that this hi-tech suit lacks is the ability to fly.
P.S. Does the prototype remind you more of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?
Air-Gesture Technology
Source: http://www.augmentedrealitytrends.com
The Minority Report movie’s depiction of touch-screen technology is slowly being made into a reality.
Industrial Technology Research Institute (ITRI) is developing a prototype technology that generates a private air-touch display that doesn’t need voice activation or a physical keyboard or screen for input. The Taiwan-based company anticipates the goggles will soon be smaller, sleeker, and about the size of a pair of sunglasses.
Hoverboard
Source: http://i.ytimg.com
A small Silicon Valley startup company announced that it’s developed a working hoverboard prototype. Called the Hendo, it uses magnetic field architecture (MFA) to elevate the skateboard-sized platform — with or without rider.
