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We have come a long way from the industrial revolution to space exploration. And in the coming years, we are going to experience many exciting innovations through technological development.
In the last decade, there were many technological upgrades. We have gone from 2G to 3G and 4G and are now going towards a 5G network, which will offer more speed than a 2G or 3G network. We changed how we communicate- from social meetings to social media. Also improved our payment method from the traditional way of paying liquid cash to pay digitally. We moved from locally storing data in hard discs to cloud-based storage which is more flexible to access. We, now, are moving towards electric/ autonomous transportation instead of regular fuel-based vehicles. With Artificial Intelligence developing, we have made many improvisations in almost all fields.
Let’s have a lookout on what can be predicted for this decade in the Information Technology field.
1. Dominance of AI:
Artificial Intelligence is exhibited by machines against the intelligence displayed by humans or animals. From Siri to Self-Driving cars, AI has made swift progress. It has become a superpower that has changed the way we interact and will impact the way we live in the future. AI will influence the future of almost every industry. It has acted as the key point in the emergence of technologies like robotics and IoT.
Business leaders are now using AI for policymaking, strategies, and involving AI in future decision-making. In every sector from robotics to medicine, AI is spreading like wildfire. Many companies are investing in this because there are fewer chances of errors and high productivity.
For example, Facebook changed its name to Meta referring to its goal of getting metaverse to life. Meta is developing new technologies that will help people connect and explore the metaverse. It includes, Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Smart Glasses, etc which are open to anyone and everyone.
Following Meta, Nike also has taken steps towards metaverse by filing several new trademarks which indicate its intent to make and sell virtual sneakers and apparel.
2. Self-Driving Cars:
With the sudden increase in the prices of petrol and diesel, everyone is looking at the other alternatives. On the other hand, we have a surge in the number of road accidents. Keeping these things in mind, we have vehicles with hybrid, electric, hydrogen, etc. fuelling options with self-driving technology. This technology also comes with a great pro, i.e., more safety with zero pollution.
In 2020, we have come across the news that Tesla has decided to expand its market in India. So, by 2030, we can expect a boost in the sales of self-driving cars and that can takeover up to 10% of the total market.
3. Augmented Reality Smart Glasses:
AR Smart Glasses. Smart Glasses combine the virtual world with the physical world. This means you don’t have to keep checking your phone for everything, everything is displayed on your glasses. Everything on your glasses. Can you imagine it? We already have Google Glass and Microsoft Hololens as examples for AR Smart Glasses.
Though there should be interdisciplinary research on the product before launching it in the country, we can expect these glasses to come into reality by 2025, and by 2030 we can see a boom in the market. IDTechEx predicts that the augmented, virtual, and mixed reality optics and display market will go up to $28Bn by 2030.
4. Cloud Computing:
Cloud computing is a technology that offers storage, access, and usage of computing resources that are present on the internet. It could be Public, Private, or Hybrid. Many companies in the US are already working with the cloud. Milk production companies are now using cloud computing technology to keep a track of the health of their cows and provide information about the care they need.
Cloud computing will be so extensive by 2030, that we may not remember the time it didn’t exist. Microsoft Azure, Amazon Web Service, Google Cloud Platform are dominating the market in this sector, at present.
5. Space Travel:
With many changes in technology, the day is not so far from where we will be traveling space. Companies like, Blue Origin, SpaceX, Virgin Galactica, etc have developed sub-orbital tourist vehicles. It is just the beginning in the field of space exploration but there will be many opportunities for future generations to explore the world outside earth.
As few people have already imagined shuttles as a transportation mode to space, the companies are thinking of making space elevators. A team of researchers from Shizuoka University, Japan, have announced to launch of an experiment at the International Space Station.
As per a few sources, it is said that companies might test their first space tourist vehicle in 2030, and the first official travel will be in 2050.
6. Smart Clothes
Clothes that contain a chip within them. Smart clothes monitor the health and physical condition of the person wearing them. It checks upon the biometric data like, pulse rate, physical movement, temperature, etc. which will be transmitted to the mobile app through Bluetooth.
The American clothing brand, Tommy Hilfiger, has developed a new line of clothing with smart Bluetooth chips in the clothes which are linked to a mobile app, that encourages the wearers to play, run or do the activities which allow them to earn reward points as they cross different locations.
Experts believe that at least 10% of people will be wearing Smart Clothes by 2024.
It is still a little early to conclude which technologies would be taking over the market by 2030. It is a little skeptical when it comes to a few innovations like Smart Glasses or Self-Driving cars which have their share of disadvantages. Since all of these technologies are still in their initial stages, we cannot say which will succeed and which will fail. Many companies are putting in a lot of their budget in R&D to get dreams to life. 2021 is still the starting of the decade, so we will have to wait for a few more years to see to final and perfect versions of these technologies.
--- Jayasri