[blackwasp]

Before I start with my list of new technologies, let us first take a look at the top 10 of the last decade in no particular order:

Voice commands: Personal voice assistants have become a common gadget in many homes, and they are also used a lot in cars to help the driver avoid taking his hands off the steering wheel. Devices like the Amazon Echo have improved productivity and convenience for many people, despite the privacy concerns.


4G internet: Possibly the biggest jump in terms of smartphones and their usability in our day to day lives. Thanks to 4G, we have mobile streaming, hotspots, real-time apps like games, ride share apps, on-demand delivery services, etc.


Smartwatches: Wearable technologies like the Fitbit, Google Glass and Apple Watch mark a shift into a new age, which was earlier only imagined in science fiction. These technologies are starting to get more interwoven with our daily lives, and this is still only the beginning for wearables.


iPad and Tablets: In the last decade, personal touchscreen computing has set the development direction. Devices like the iPad and the Surface have particularly made an impact. With incredible processing power for the package size, and software features increasing with every update, they are eating into the share of traditional PCs and laptops.


EVs gaining traction: Electric-powered cars have shown us that they can be as cool as their ICE-counterparts, if not cooler! While there are many carmakers offering EVs, the flag-bearer of this movement is undoubtedly Tesla.


Streaming Services: The popularity of streaming has only skyrocketed since the last few years. People are ditching their cable TVs and opting for subscription services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hotstar etc. Some of these platforms have also been producing and launching online-only movies and TV shows.


3D printing: Although available since the 1990s, 3D printing has gained traction in the last decade from a prototyping tool to a viable industrial process. While this technology is used to make many new parts, it can also be used to make replacements for parts that are no longer available.


Cloud technologies: Products like Dropbox, Apple iCloud, Google Drive, and Microsoft OneDrive have changed the way we store data. While technologies like Azure have changed the way we work. The office is now flexible, efficient and productive thanks to access to shared data in real-time. Cloud technologies have made information & education seamlessly available across the globe.


Raspberry Pi: While it started as tool to promote basic computer science in schools, this series of single-board computers has motivated people of all ages to get involved with programming. It's also a popular choice amongst hobbyists and developers. With about 12 million copies sold since 2012, the humble Raspberry Pi has been a strong advocate for the Internet of Things (IoT).


Gaming tech - VR, Xbox Adaptive Controller etc.: Oculus VR took gaming to virtual reality, Xbox Adaptive Controller made gaming accessible to those with limited mobility and the Nintendo Switch combined old vintage games with new ones that are accessible, portable, and social.


IBM's Watson: While developed to answer questions of the quiz show Jeopardy, it has evolved its cognitive-computing abilities that could possibly lead us to a computer than can think. The first commercial application for the computer was making utilization management decisions for treatment of lung cancer. Today, it has helped app developers, cancer researchers, designers and Sesame Street producers amongst others.

Here are some technologies that I expect to go mainstream this decade:

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning: With computers already an integral part of our lives, the next decade will bring about even more powerful technologies like AI and machine learning to better our lives. A lot of tasks that are currently performed by humans will be automated, with a higher level of precision and speed.


The Internet of Things (IoT): We've seen the difference it has made to have computers on our desks, in our hands and on our wrists. Now imagine the benefits of the same revolution in our microwaves, fridges, lightbulbs, music systems and virtually any other appliance that could benefit from the same. Throw in some AI and the possibilities only multiply.


Blockchains: This secure way of storing and authenticating data could be the next revolution across all industries, and not just limited to finance or cryptocurrencies as most people presume.


Autonomous vehicles: We are the minority who truly enjoy driving. It's inevitable that autonomous vehicles will be the preferred mode of transport in the future - be it cars, taxis, buses, ships or aircraft. The huge advantages that computer-controlled driving will provide for safety, predictability and efficiency will be unmatched.


BHPians, please add to the list.

[Rehaan]

Thread moved out from the Assembly Line. Thanks for sharing!

[guru_max]

5G probably will define the decade. It has geopolitical implications as well.

With the quick and successful rollout of Covid vaccine, companies may start developing vaccines quickly for many other devices as well.

[GTO]

Great thread! Throwing in my 2 paise:

- Hacking our bodies. Tech companies are throwing massive R&D & money into this, body longevity, our DNA, brain mapping and more.

- Lab-created meat! Man, as a big burger fan, I have to say that the Impossible Burger is the best burger I have ever had in my life. Lab-created meat, eggs, chicken etc. will be commonplace.

- Space travel might become a reality.

- The way we use our keyboards hasn't really changed since the advent of the personal computer in the 80s. I think voice typing is going to evolve to such a level that we'll start using it heavily on our desktops & laptops too.

Will be fun to revisit this thread in 2030 , just like its fun to read on BHPians bragging about 100 kbps internet (How Fast Is Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) connection?) & 512 MB RAM on their comps (The Desktop Computer & Configuration Thread)

If anyone were to ask me what I am most looking forward to in life, it would be where today's brightest minds are going to take us (in terms of tech). Just fascinating.

[saikarthik]

Last decade laid the foundations for almost all the technologies mentioned by @Blackwasp. I think in this decade, we will see the change in mindset for adaptation and evolution of them, and also the Industry 4.0 will focus on efficiency improvement.

- Military technology: We might see 6th generation fighters flying alongside unmanned wingmen, have mini or swarm drones technology perfected based on AI, directed energy based weapons in action with longer range and power, exoskeletons.

- Automotive: V2X was in roadmap 2025 for Europe, so we might see a lot here and making vehicles part of a hive, ethical intelligence when it comes to autonomous vehicles.

- Smart infrastructure: Charging roads, self healing concrete buildings, AI enabled traffic lights and a lot more.

- Personal mobility: who knows, few might even have a personal flying machine in 2030.

- Space: A pilot (experimental - temporary) colony in Mars if Elon succeeds.

- Communication & Computing: In select proof of concept applications, we might have quantum computers used in some R&Ds with quantum communication. The way virtual conferencing is going to be,https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencet...omes-2030.html

- Medical: We saw that synthetic tissue that was developed, and surgeries made by robots, virtual consultation at kiosks in last decade. So this might evolve to medical pods where diagnosis and some small time treatment can be done.

[lonetraveller89]

After having just read about a fellow member's tragedy (My Innova Crysta ZX got stolen) and as long as cars are concerned, I feel that the most important thing we need is better safety / anti-theft technology for these 'connected' cars.

[TrackDay]

I feel most will be novel ideas accessible to only a select few. However one thing that I feel will be spread across the masses will be Connected Technology. Or in other words lack of privacy. We are at the infant stage now with Connected homes, watches, TVs, cars & phones. I believe this will go onto an all new level. From tracking chips in footwear to what is being cooked in your kitchen, everything and everyone will be accounted and audited. Last day I was having a conversation with a fellow passenger in our car about junk food, when my phone interrupts and advices me about that topic ! Very soon Artificial Intelligence and Connected tech will take over our lives. At least for those in the Urban circle.

Just like how the internet progressed over the years, we too will be links or dots in the whole spectrum. Our lives will be less in our control and more or less dictated by Artificial Intelligence.

[Jeroen]

Excellent thread! Thanks for sharing.

In general I think the list as started by Blackwasp is pretty comprehensive

I would like to add a few thoughts and comments to some of it.

On top of, or rather as a supporting/enabling technology, it is not 4G, but 5G that will dominate in the next decade. Although we often think as just faster and more capacity it is actually much more in terms what it can enable.

On AI and ML;

A lot of tasks that are currently performed by humans will be automated, with a higher level of precision and speed.

Actually, in many cases, AI and ML tends to be used for activities that are impossible for humans to perform. I am currently responsible for the largest transformation of our organisations worldwide, in which we are overhauling our service delivery, which enables us to manage our customers (mobile) networks. Deployment of AI and ML allows us to automate task that can not be done by humans. It could be due to speed, accuracy, but often it is also the sheer complexity and vast amounts of data, which are impossible or certainly impractical for humans to handle.

3D printing as already mentioned is going to have, and already has, a profound impact on many industries.

When it come to some more “new” technologies, I believe we will also see the break through of quantum computing in the next two decades. A hugely interesting topic. I am not sure if quantum computing will ever become “mainstream”, but even in more specialised areas it can be a true game changer. Ask me more in a few months when I have been to my Quantum computing course.

I also expect (at long last) for hydrogen to make a break through as part of the world transition to more sustainable environment. It has been in the doghouse (compared to sun/wind energy) for quite some time. But at long last it is being looked into and I can see several initiatives around the world. (E.g. here in the Netherlands a massive investment is being made to prepare our main natural gas transportation network for hydrogen.

In general I think the next two decades are going to see a lot of new technology pertaining to the environment.

Part of that discussion is also nuclear energy. It is back onto many political agenda. Current nuclear power plants are a far cry removed from the old ones. who knows fusion might make a break through too?

Although I am genuinely interested in all these new technologies (because I am a bit of nerd/geek/techie) I am equally interested to understand what impact these new technologies have on society, companies and individuals. (that is actually what my current job is more or less)

Something as seemingly straightforward 3D printing has a huge impact on where your production facilities might be located. All of a sudden, labour cost is likely to be a non factor. Capital allocation for stock and physical stock, logistics will be very different too.


Jeroen

[doxinboy]

Nice thread as usual blackwasp

Somehow I feel the technological overload that we are experiencing at present will briefly bring the curve downward before if takes a leap again.

I have 2 personal experience to share:

1. I bought kindle to read books, but went back to order regular smelling books. There are something that tech cant reproduces.

2. I am in the process of getting my thesis binded, the book vendor offered ultra modern book cover with matt finish and colorful digitally enabled fonts that he can make instantly. However what lured me was perhaps a century old book binding skill that is produced by heat indused die casting method that could take over a week. I opted for latter.

While technology improves and makes our lives easier, the evolutionary trait of human survival against the odds of tech superiority is subtle, but exist nevertheless.

[Quoter]

Hydrogen fuel cells: I think this is a severely underrated technology. While EV's are grabbing all the focus today, they have severe geopolitical challenges in the current form, plus batteries are not entirely environment friendly. Hydrogen fuel cells might just emerge as a winner or at least a co-winner a decade later.

Designer Babies: With the amount of research that is happening on genetics, we could actually be very close to witnessing mass scale adoption of designer babies. This does not mean that every DNA element would be selected in a lab, but a few traits such as skin colour, athleticism, eliminating any genetic / congenital defects etc.

Unintended Impact: Unfortunately, one of the most likely unintended impact of tech could be domination by a few global giants in every sphere. We are already witnessing this in the case of Facebook, Google etc. Only a matter of time before this domination extends to almost all spheres of life.

[mnram]

Smartwatches: Wearable technologies like the Fitbit, Google Glass and Apple Watch mark a shift into a new age, which was earlier only imagined in science fiction. These technologies are starting to get more interwoven with our daily lives, and this is still only the beginning for wearables.
Attachment 2030073

Even Amazon recently launched Echo Frames albeit they do not have the display functionality. This would be a step in the right direction, as I feel the original smart glasses were too big for everyday use.

I also predict that there will be some wearable hologram tech where you would be able to interact with the projections of the other person

With every going day, the reach of these technologies is reaching new heights, but the long-term impact of a normal human being in terms of emotional and social health remains to be seen.

[kamilharis]

" 'Digital smell' technology could let us transmit odors in online chats."

This topic used to pop up in the news feed couple of years back?

Is this a reality now? If not I really hope it happens soon!

[Jhinchak]

Three things which I would like to add to the 2010-2020 decade.

Android OS - Which started in phones now has spread into televisions, automobiles etc.

Touch screen Mobiles - although it started in the previous decade, it has really become mainstream and the conventional mobiles are long gone.

E-wallets and digital payments - Our transition (INDIA) to e- wallets and digital payments have to be owed to the demonization. Anybody and everybody now accepts paytm/phone pe or at least Google pay.

[katsumoto]

Originally Posted by guru_max

5G probably will define the decade. It has geopolitical implications as well.

We are working on dis-aggregating 5G network from traditional hardware vendors (Read Ericcsion, Nokia Siemens etc...) into normal x86 box... We are seeing tremendous traction already. (Rakuten Japan already have rolled out 5G on our platform in Japan).
This is definitely going to be game changer in the coming decade as green field deployments are going to increase.

2. I believe harnessing solar power and effective storage / transmission and distribution is going to be the key. Because everything is moving electric and we have enormous power source to convert into electric. Using that would make our power generation much greener than what we use as of now.

3. Storage and compute dis-aggregation is happening and happening fast as moore law is more and more irrelevant... P-N-P and N-P-N transitors are not stable at 9nm and less insulation because of the tunneling effect... this leads to compute dis-aggregation. See the start-ups like Fungible, Pensando. They are already rocking in this domain.

4. Storage (HDD, SDD, Tape) have never been faster earlier. Now with the advent of PCIe/NVMe first time, we see storage being faster and requiring tougher planning in CPU (like NUMA planning etc..., This has never been the case earlier because storage was slow traditionally so tuning always revolved around storage not on the compute). This is game changer in the way storage is perceived and planned in Storage world. Interesting problems and their solutions to look ahead. Also in-memory computation is gaining traction.

PS: I worked predominantly in Storage and Networking and that is the reason you see my observations in this area.

[DriverNo.420]

• I look forward to the technological advancements that NASA, SpaceX and various other space organisations will carry out in this decade. NASA has already sent the Perseverance rover to search for ancient life fossils in the basins where rivers used to flow on Mars. It will be a breakthrough if they actually find the samples. And then comes Elon Musk's goal, to land a human being on the surface of Mars, which I believe, a man as visionary as him, will achieve. Indeed, an exciting time to be alive, being a Space junkie.

• Today's smartphones have reached a plateau in terms of yearly upgrades. Even the new Samsung S21 series offers no major upgrades so that a guy using an S9 or even an S8 might say "I have to have this!". Phones today do not appeal to me like they did in 2010s. But rest assured, this plateau is going to end very soon. Just like Apple ended the keypad phones in 2007.