An invention is a device, composition, process, or method that is either unique, and thus unknown to the public, or significant improvement of an already known product or machine. With the rapid advancement of technology, people claim to invent and/or patent a wide variety of things, some of which sound outrageous and are often publicity stunts. Those are shunned and debunked by the people skilled in that field and for the right reasons. We will be focusing on the new technology inventions on the other end of the spectrum – well documented, accepted, but most of all, very interesting.
1. Self-driving cars
We’ll start with an invention that has attracted a lot of attention in the last few years. It wouldn’t be fair to mention only one company, so we’ll speak in general terms. Neither of the vehicles is fully autonomous and at a Level 5 yet – meaning they require absolutely no input. The majority of the self-driving vehicles are at Level 2, meaning they can be put on autopilot on certain roads, but classified as “driver support”.
Thanks to recent inventions, road conditions analysis, and advancements of AI predictions, Level 3 vehicles are being developed. Those are self-driving vehicles, but can still be operated by the driver if there’s an emergency.
2. Boosted Reality Glasses
Moving forward, the domain of wearables is growing significantly, and one of the most exciting developments is augmented reality (AR) glasses. Instead of constantly looking down at a device in your hands, AR glasses can project images and data onto the real world in front of you. You can navigate streets without missing the scenery, check your emails while making a cup of coffee, or even play a video game that’s set in your own living room.
Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Apple are leading the way with AR glasses. Google, for example, has made strides with Google Glass Enterprise Edition 2, aimed primarily at businesses and developers. Meanwhile, Microsoft’s HoloLens 2, touted as a mixed reality device, has shown promising capabilities for gaming and productivity applications.
Though AR glasses are not yet commonplace, the development is robust. As the technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more user-friendly models offering enhanced features and seamless integration with other devices. However, like with many emerging technologies, there are also concerns, particularly about privacy and safety, which manufacturers need to address.
3. Bin-e
We like to think we’re getting better as mankind, but the festering piles of trash around the globe speak volumes. The people who refuse to find the nearest trashcan will need a strict reform, that’s for sure. But Bin-e seeks to help those that are responsible but feel too lazy to throw certain types of trash into designated trashcans. Using built-in cameras and sensors, it detects trash and determines whether it’s eligible for recycling. Furthermore, each “item” is channeled into an appropriate container. It’s time we put the planet first, even if it’s by investing in smart trashcans.
4. Unico Smartbrush
Everyone wants to have white teeth. But, not everyone can be bothered to brush multiple times a day. Unico Smartbrush is designed to do the majority of the labor for you – this invention promises to clean your teeth in as little as 3 seconds! It looks like a mouthguard that you place over your teeth. The rotating electric heads will pick up the toothpaste that is automatically squirted inside, and get to work. The device can squirt mouthwash to take care of your tongue as well!
5. Geneology and health predictions
It is now possible to spit into a plastic tube and have your DNA tested for genealogy, uncovering who your ancestors were, and where they migrated from. This is also a great way for long-lost families to be reunited (or torn apart, unfortunately). The biggest advantage of inventions related go genes is the ability to predict, prevent, treat, or cure terrible diseases. Combined with AI inventions, it might become possible for X-ray, CT, and MRI scans to be analyzed by a computer, helping doctors give a correct diagnosis.
6. Quantum Computing
No list of new technology inventions would be complete without mentioning quantum computing. At its core, quantum computing harnesses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information. Unlike classical computers, which use bits as their most basic unit of information, quantum computers use quantum bits or “qubits.”
A quantum computer can process a massive amount of information simultaneously, making it potentially exponentially faster and more powerful than current computers. This kind of processing power could revolutionize industries that require complex computations like drug discovery, financial modeling, weather forecasting, and cryptography.
Several tech giants, including IBM, Google, and Microsoft, are currently making significant investments in quantum computing research and development. Despite its potential, quantum computing is still in its early stages, and practical, everyday applications might still be years away. Nonetheless, the field holds great promise and is certainly a technology to watch.
7. FIXD
There are many worse things in life, but when your car stops in the middle of the road, miles away from the nearest mechanic, it feels like your life is ending. While this might not be impossible to prevent completely, its chances can be reduced. FIXD looks like a LEGO brick. It has a plug on one of the sides, which can be plugged into the diagnostics port on your car, the one mechanics connect their computer to. It will list all errors reported by the car’s electronics on your smartphone, computer, or tablet. This allows you to get the right advice from a professional, and even prevents you from being overcharged and scammed.
8. Muama and Pocketalk S
Learning a new language can take months, if not years, which is a common flaw. Both Muama and Pocketalk S share a common goal – to enable talking to strangers, even if neither of you knows each other’s language. Both devices, which are a little bigger than pocket-size, use the power of artificial intelligence to analyze sound on both sides. They process it into text and translate it into a language you understand or the stranger understands, and vice versa. Pocketalk S also has a camera that can analyze and translate signs and written words.
9. Bikesphere and Lumos
Once again, you’re getting two-in-one. It is no secret that cyclists and motorbike drivers who end up fatally injured or debilitated in traffic crashes. Bikesphere is a bike light that creates a red ring of lasers on the ground in front of you. These are very obvious in the dark, helping drivers spot cyclists easily and allowing them to avoid you or give you enough maneuvering space. Lumos, on the other hand, is a bike helmet that projects white light both on the front and the back. It even has left and right turn signals and brake lights!
10. Mosquitotron
Nobody likes mosquitos – that’s a fact. But they’re amazing at reproducing in large numbers and have been a nuisance for centuries. The only way to lower their numbers was to drop poison on the stationary water they nest in, but this is dangerous to humans and pets alike. Mosquitotron is a non-toxic, portable, for-personal-use, mosquito trap. It uses UV light to attract the bloodthirsty devils, sucks them in, and kills them by drying them to death, apparently.
11. Ionic Spa
To combat increased water consumption in the world, Ionic Spa promises to reduce it for at least 50% while using it to take a shower! This showerhead invention looks like it has a lot of beans stuck in the transparent glass. In reality, those are negative ion mineralized spheres with amounts of tourmaline, ceramic beads, and germanium. They purify the water and increase the absorption of minerals into your skin, making it feel healthier and smoother. Due to increased water pressure, taking a shower also feels like having a massage.
12. Fitbit Charge 4
Fitbit Charge 4 is a smart wrist accessory that usually helps athletes keep track of speed, heart rate, time, pace, their current location based on GPS, and more. But with Fitbit Charge 4, more people can benefit from its features. They’ve downsized an already incredible invention, a pulse monitoring hardware, that tracks the volume of oxygen in your blood. This can help you increase your physical performance, true. But it can also help diagnose and treat those with sleep apnea – a debilitating disease that often goes undiagnosed.
13. Solar-Powered Smart Windows
As we make strides in energy efficiency and sustainability, one innovative technology gaining attention is solar-powered smart windows. These are not your typical windows; they can adapt to changing weather conditions, alter their transparency based on the intensity of sunlight, and even convert sunlight into electricity.
Smart windows utilize a technology called electrochromic glass, which can alter its transparency in response to voltage and allow control over the amount of light and heat that enters a room. This could result in significant savings on cooling and heating costs.
On the other hand, solar windows use photovoltaic technology to harness solar energy. They can absorb sunlight and convert it into electricity, which can power your home or be stored for later use.
Solar-powered smart windows represent an exciting cross-section of green technology and smart home technology. They can potentially reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and bring us closer to a sustainable future.