We all can agree that technology has changed our lives for the better. But, have you ever been curious to know how technology works? What technology does for us seems like magic, but there is a science behind it. In folk tales, we heard Aladdin had a magic carpet that took him to places. And, now we have air transport that lets us do the same. Technology allows us to convert many such tales into reality. We have used technical and scientific knowledge to build innovative solutions to solve our existing problems and make our lives simpler. This is what technology is all about. Now let’s look at its working.
Quick Answer
Technology works by applying scientific knowledge for practical purposes to solve problems and accomplish tasks. It involves the creation, usage, and knowledge of tools, machines, techniques, systems, or methods of organization. For instance, digital technology operates using binary code (0s and 1s) to process, store, and transmit information. In other cases, such as mechanical technology, physical components are engineered to perform specific functions, like gears in a watch or engine parts in a car.
How does the technology work?
Our modern technology seemed like imagination to the people a couple of decades ago. But, now we are here with it, and it has become very common to us. In fact, we shouldn’t be surprised if the technology that just exists in our imagination today becomes a reality in the future. We should expect this by now. To understand exactly how technology works, let’s look at a few examples.
Internet
We cannot thank technology enough for the internet. It is one of the greatest inventions that made many other inventions possible. Do you know how the internet works? Unless you are well-versed with technology, my guess is no. Most of them use the internet, but only a few of them know how it really works.
Basically, it is an interconnected system of wires. The information is stored in the servers. Here, the servers have IP addresses, using which they locate other servers and connect with them via wires over the network. You use an internet service provider that is linked to those servers, and it allows your device to access the information on the server by building an indirect connection.
So, this is what goes behind the search results that you get in seconds with fewer clicks.
Computer Network
In every walk of life, you will find a computer network and the benefits it has to offer. It fulfills our ever-changing demands. It makes it possible for our devices to exchange information with other devices on a network.
In addition to this, there are network protocols that determine the data transmission between devices in the network. Basically, in computer networks, hardware, software, and protocols are used to establish a connection. If we didn’t have this technology, then communication and resource sharing would have been a struggle.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence was not as popular as the Internet a few years ago, but it is the most talked about subject these days. The introduction of AI tools like ChatGPT and Bard is changing our world. With AI, we are able to do our tasks much more efficiently and quickly. But how does that really happen? Before learning how Artificial Intelligence really works, we need to know what it really is.
Artificial Intelligence is machines or computers that are developed to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks can range from reasoning to understanding new languages. In our daily lives, AI is seen in virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, etc., and platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime are using it to recommend new content to their users.
Artificial Intelligence uses its algorithms and machine learning models that allow it to learn and make decisions. Here are some of its applications:
- Healthcare: AI is used for disease identification and prognosis, drug discovery, and personalized medicine.
- Automotive: Self-driving cars and advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) employ AI for navigation, traffic management, and safety.
- Finance: AI assists in algorithmic trading, personal finance, fraud detection, and risk management.
- Retail: AI powers recommendation engines for personalized shopping experiences, inventory management, and customer service bots.
- Home and Personal Use: AI is integrated into smart home devices and virtual assistants like Alexa and Siri for voice recognition and automation.
3D Printing
3D printing is yet to become popular among the masses. It is not being talked about enough because it is not used by everyone to carry out their tasks. But still, it has become a crucial part of the world we live in as there are many applications of 3D printing. But what it really is and how does it work?
Also known as Additive manufacturing, 3D printing is the process of creating three-dimensional objects from a digital file. In 3D printing, we add material layers by layer precisely to construct something, which is the opposite of traditional subtractive manufacturing systems, in which we cut what we need from a solid block of material.
The first step in making it work is to create a digital design of the object we need to print. For that, we use computer-aided design (CAD) software. Then we convert that design into a digital file which helps the printer to manufacture that object.
Here are some of the applications of 3D printing:
- Manufacturing: 3D printing is used for creating prototypes, custom parts, and tools, reducing time and costs.
- Healthcare: It aids in making personalized prosthetics, dental implants, and is exploring the production of biological tissues and organs.
- Construction: 3D printing is employed to build homes and other structures, promising speed and efficiency.
- Education: Schools and colleges use 3D printing to create educational models and prototypes, enhancing learning experiences.
- Aerospace & Automotive: It’s used to produce complex, lightweight components efficiently.
Variations of technology
We saw how technology like the internet and computer networks works. Today, we have a bunch of technology. Now, let’s look at some different types of technology along with examples.
Communication Technology
In communication technology, information is created, stored, and transmitted among devices. Mostly this information is used to control the devices or solve the problems. Want to send messages long distances? Communication technology has got you covered. In the 20th century, we had limited technology.
A few of them were the telegraph and telephone. Now we have communication technology in abundance. Right from smartphones to the Internet of Things, we have all the technology that we need to communicate.
Information Technology
In information technology, the information is stored and processed. It is so important that each organization has an IT department. To carry out everyday business activities, it is a must to ensure that computers and other resources are working properly.
Some examples of information technology are automation tools, software, hardware, and management systems. If it were not for information technology, then getting the right information at the right would have been fairly difficult.
Educational Technology
Educational technology is changing the way we learn. Earlier, we had calculators, using which we found solutions to our problems. Now we have software that allows us to just add the inputs, and we get the outputs in a few seconds. We don’t have to apply formulas anymore and calculate, this software does it for us. Interactive screens, virtual reality headsets, and podcasts are some examples of educational technology.
Nowadays, projectors are used at educational institutes to increase student participation. Using virtual reality technology, students are offered the virtual trip experience to make learning more engaging. And, we have podcasts that enhance the learning experience for students.
Business Technology
Business technology helps the organization to carry out its business activities smoothly. Take the example of productivity software and tools. These technologies help firms to run their business. In most of the workplace, Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel are used to perform business tasks. It helps us to collect, analyze, and store data.
We have Microsoft PowerPoint that allows us to create business presentations in no time. The inventory control system is one such business technology that helps businesses to keep track of their inventory. In this way, businesses know when they are running out of stock, and when they should get new inventory.
Robotics Technology
Previously, when robotics technology was in the early stage. The robots were built to perform monotonous tasks. But, now robotics technology is making advancements. We are developing autonomous robots that can carry out tasks without external assistance.
There are electrical components that control and power these robots. And, computer programming lets the robots know how the tasks need to be performed and when they should do it. Now, we are focusing on developing autonomous mobile robots. Once we achieve success in this, we will soon see driverless transport systems.
Conclusion
The technology works wonders, and we should at least take some degree of interest in knowing how it works. Behind the scenes are fascinating and will blow up our minds. We have so much technology that it is impossible to know how all of them work. But, we can at least get started and learn the workings of simple technology.
If you are interested in a specific type of technology, then you have plentiful resources that will let you know about the latest advancements and future predictions. Technology has brought profound changes, and it will keep influencing our lives. To stay informed, we can learn more about its working to know what to expect in the future.