IBM Presents 5 Inventions that Can Change Our lives Over the Next 5 Years
Recently the multinational tech company IBM has presented the Next Five in Five, its list of 5 technologies that over the next five years can have a strong influence on the way people work, live and play. This is the company's fifth annual list.
Holographic Chat (aka 3D Telepresence)
According to the futurists at IBM, due to the latest advances in 3D cameras, the holographic chat is very close to hitting people's homes. It is worth mentioning that researchers at the University of Arizona managed to come up with a system that can send holographic pictures in near-real-time. Scientists also predict that 3D visualization would allow them to "go inside" computer models and other things that are limited by a simple two-dimensional screen.
Air-powered Batteries
Because the lithium-air batteries are already in the development stage, IBM believes that in the near future batteries that "use the air we breathe to react with energy-dense metal" will be smaller and lighter. In addition, these batteries will last 10 times longer than the lithium-ion batteries used today.
Personal Sensors to Collect All Data for Scientists
Today almost all scientific information must be collected by scientists. In order to gather the necessary data they have to set up numerous devices. IBM says that in the next 5 years most of that data could be collected and sent via sensors embedded in phones, cars, wallets, computers and more. Researchers could use these sensors to make large data sets that could be used for nearly everything, starting with tackling climate change and finishing with tracking invasive species.
Smart Computer Systems for Drivers
IBM believes that in the near future various data sources will deliver a non-stop data stream on traffic conditions, road construction and other things that can affect your commute. If a person wants to travel from point A to point B, the computer will not only provide the best way of getting to the final destination, but will also consider all the possible variables for the respective day, combine them using mathematical models and predictive analytics technologies and then offer complete information to the driver.
Harnessing Computer Heat
According to the latest estimations, about 50 percent of the energy consumed by data centers is spent on cooling computer processors and the biggest part of the emitted hot air is blown in the air. IBM considers that heat can be captured and used to warm the air different parts of the building, heat water, or even converted into electricity.
