Everyone loves science-fiction stories packed with intriguing gadgets and fun concepts. With iPads being partly inspired by the PADD technologies from Star Trek, it is clear that those working in this industry are strongly influenced by the media in which they were immersed while growing up. How close are we to bringing other aspects of science-fiction to reality?
Commercial Space Travel
One of the biggest motifs of science fiction has always been commercial space travel. While faster-than-light travel is still far so far away, the potential for commercial space travel is coming ever closer.
Top tech companies have already expressed an interest in opening up what would essentially be a tourist’s trip beyond Earth’s atmosphere. There are dreams to set up some sort of base on the Moon for trips like this, but again it is further away than we might think. While the potential is there for commercial space travel to become the next step beyond flight, it is unlikely that we will see it massively implemented for some time.
AI and Humanlike Robots
The question of when we will see humanlike robotics with complex, lifelike AIs powering them is something that always intrigues people. There has already been so much development in this industry, and there is likely to be far much more.
New companies are being set up every day that could push the boundaries on what we are likely to see. There are many predictions that AI could be worth $150 trillion in a very short amount of time. With that is coming some increasingly complex AIs.
We are even seeing the development of robots that are so lifelike that they have been granted some sort of citizenship. With robotics and other developments like this seriously pushing forward, there is a serious chance that we will see a massive increase in the development of sophisticated AI.
Bionics and Prosthetics
Important science-fiction stories like the Japanese Ghost in the Shell laid out the idea of fake limbs and prosthetic anatomical components that could stand in for real body parts. These are often highly sophisticated and, while they aesthetically stand out from organic components, they perform many of the same functions and might even have some extras thrown in.
We are beginning to see the development of these sophisticated prosthetics that can work in much the same ways. Whether it is a hand that can grip things or an artificial organ helping someone to live longer, there is always new developing technology emerging. As more work is done, this type of technology is only going to become that little bit more affordable, and that little bit more likely to save someone’s life.
Science fiction is one of the most well-loved genres of media and it has inspired countless scientists and inventors. By looking at what has been created in these amazing stories, we can see new technologies beginning to emerge in our real-life. It might not be too long before we see some of the most famous components of sci-fi stories come to life completely.
