The future is today
D1- Molly freeman
Development
Early designs
Before the human race was able to function with basic technology standards, widening their mental aspect of futuristic technology. Disabled people would use electric wheelchairs which would be a form of transport for them. However within the years technology has proven to be improved and trustworthy for the human race. There are technology which are beneficial towards people who suffer from medical conditions which can affect their movement and communication skills such as Japanese robots/ androids, robotic exoskeletons, mind control and intelligent prosthetic limbs. In the early deigns of virtual reality gameplay, a Nintendo WII, Kinect PS cam and simulators were used however in futuristic development there has been a major breakthrough being able to simulate visual and physical exploration of virtual reality simultaneously. The oculus rift set with the treadmill is able to accomplish this.
Culture
-The ways in which people use computers
Technology such as phones are hand held computers and in time we are producing and improving these devices, changing the way the human race would use technology. With the new smart Samsung flexible OLED display the main focuses are the processor, memory and the display. This proves that our developers are thinking about the important parts of a computer and ways to improve it such as a larger memory bank or a plastic screen to prevent terminal damage.
-mobile phones texting and mobile entertainment
The new Iholo is the future phone prototype which takes mobile gaming on a higher level because the holograms provide the 3D virtual screen display for the user. The hologram will also provide a controller which would have a similar appearance of a house hold console controller such as a Playstation or x-box controller.
Economy
productivity per individual:
-speed up inputs and reducing complexity
The company has made high improvements towards input speed for example the smart watch is scanned at a cash point to automatically make a payment of items, and their transaction records are recorded also saving time on going to a bank and printing out a statement/ waiting at home for a history statement. This also saves time on entering the pin in manually to the device at the till.
increase automation:
-text readers, voice and thought input
The designs for futuristic technology has proven with scientific evidence that it is possible for micro chipped implants within the brain can control verbal communication through an output device of a computer. Thought input is also liable in within future technology because there are wheelchairs which use mind control without the need of a microchip implant within the brain.
Society
improve usability:
-simplify input/output
The futuristic smart watch simplifies the concept of public purchasing because it scans on the cash point, automatically making a transaction with the money on the chosen bank card that is registered on the system, this saves time on having to physically enter a pin and wait for the machines approval.
-user friendliness
The phones that are going to be built in the future are going to have some of the same similarities and features form previous phones so people will be more familiar with them. This may include icon displays (IPhone and tablets- using the same operating system) and same layouts of menus. Mind control chips have also been notified ‘user friendly’ because of the result of animal testing (monkeys) having an positive outcome of not causing internal harm. This has also been tested on few appropriate candidates such as disable people.
specialised interfaces:
– for those with sight or speech problems
There are many technological equipment to be considered in the future to assist people who have sight or verbal communication problems. The micro chip implant may help assist patients who have speech problems because with the implant they are able to think/ select the words from available vocabulary and use talk through the computer however in early designs some people could use a software similar to text-to-speech.
interfaces for hostile environments
– remote control
The micro chip implant is a great example for the use of a remote control because brain waves are able to move robotic limbs around just like a remote control would. Some GUIs on phones may also be compatible with other technical devices, using the phone as a remote to perform various tasks. For example in modern design phones are able to link up with camcorders and by pressing a button on the phone the camcorder will start recording, without having to physically press the ‘record’ button manually. Another example is that the WIIU is able to act like a controller for the TV whilst playing offline because it can control sound and channel selection.
-data logging
The new smart phone is known for data logging because it records down a person personal information such as calorie intake/exercise logs, bank details, ect. However there are parts of information that can be shared with other people who also have the smart watch. When placed close the each other the phones are able to link the compatibility, checking what they would have in common. This can be music or films. Phones and laptops in general would have an improved memory bank within the future, giving people more freedom giving people more freedom with storage space.
-complexity (virtual reality, head up displays)
Iholo – Interactive holographic phone with Nano technology
When people talk about technology in the future ‘holograms’ are commonly mentioned. This usually includes holographic technology were the hologram is in front of them and they have reach out to interact as an input. However there are technologies similar. There is a phone called the Iholo and it’s an advanced handheld phone with equipped holographic technology. This futuristic phone is built with Nono technology, featuring multimedia and gameplay capabilities. The hologram is used as an input as it can be used as gameplay controllers, holographic keyboards, holographic pictures, ect.
Oculus rift / treadmill
The oculus rift is a look into futuristic gameplay. The development of the technology has the appearance of large, bulky goggles which has the output screen of the game inside the device as well as on the computer screen. Due to the size the goggles they have to strap onto the head of the person using them. They project the image of the game on both left and right lenses to create a whole image in the users overall eye view. It is optional to use a gaming treadmill when using the oculus rift. Whilst the oculus simulates vision the treadmill will simulate a walking/ running experience.
Google glasses
Google glasses have similar functions for the phone however they are designed to be more easy to use and easy to see. The glasses have the physical approach of typical glasses however they have a small camera built into the side and when the person wears the google glasses the projection is on the lenses. The camera is able to take pictures and videos, showing progress on the lenses, capturing life moments more easily. When lost or if the usually route to work/ a friend’s house has been blocked the glasses will inform the user and quickly afterwards, show them another route that they could take. Directions are displayed in front of the person. Similar to phones, google glasses can record the user’s voice and send it in a message to another person, saving them time on typing. The device is a hands free device increasing the simplicity. A really good feature of the google glasses is the translator, if the user is in a foreign country and says something in English, the glasses are able to translate this and tell them how to pronounce it in their language as well as how to write it out. This affects culture and communication barriers. When arriving at a bus, train, fairy or an airport the glasses will let the person know automatically how early/ how later they are. Unlike average glasses, these google glasses are proven to be strong and light in weight. There are several designs and colours which are available to the public.
Japanese robots
People who think about the future usually talk about humans living along with robots. Japanese mechanics have been experimenting with the creation of robots. This means there size, their appearance, how they walk/ talk/ interact and what their purpose would be towards the human race, this can range from making tea to helping the elderly walk across the road.
There have been robots with large purposes such as Kirobo who had successfully accompanied an astronaut in space. Kirobo was originally built for space missions however after arriving back from space he had other goals towards the human race to fulfil his life span as a robot. Kirobo, like other robots was going to help solve problems brought about by society that has become more individualised and less communicative. Nowadays, more and more people are living alone. Robots, such as Kirobo may be able to help with everyday tasks depending on their programmed capabilities. This can range from preparing drinks to helping somebody climb into bed whether they’re elderly or disabled.
Androids
Apart from robots that can walk, talk and preserve in tasks to help the human race with in every day there are interactive androids that are created to have a genuine appearance of human and emotions. Their emotions are shown within in their facial feature because that is where the android are built to have more freedom in. They are programmed to have the small quirks of a human being such as blinking and looking around a room. They imitate movement of the humans that they watch; this can be nodding or smiling. They are being placed in hospitals to see how patients would feel within their presence and it was because of their human like appearance the results were from positive. Seventy patients were in the presence of an android for testing of humans and robots and the feeling of being uncomfortable around them for future references. Roughly, two percent of patients admitted to being uncomfortable when being in the presence of an android. However the rest of the remaining 76 patients enjoyed the presence of an artificial human.
They are able to communicate verbally, asking the patient questions and giving information about themselves such as their own name and age. On the project Acdroid-F, creating intelligent life-like android technology there was a ‘female’ and a ‘male’ droid. They were both created identically however it was wigs, clothes and makeup which separated there gender. Cameras are placed within the retinas of the androids eyes, this is so that the android can lock onto their subject (patient). The androids learn from watching people, mirroring our actions such as our facial features. The robots are also sensitive and can feel it when they are touched, they can also sense it if someone was to wave a hand directly in front of their face, this makes them flinch because they able to acknowledge the presence of that motion. This doesn’t have to be human however they can sense/ feel animals and objects also.
Due to the positive results of human and androids working together, there is a possibility that they may be a huge part of the human race further in the future. The goals for the androids are to work with elderly to help prevent mental decline and improve communication skills children with children who may suffer with developmental disorders.
Robotic exoskeleton
Apart from assisting the human race of everyday tasks such as making drinks and cooking, robots are also being created to help people who can’t walk. The robotic exoskeleton is a self-explanatory name because it is a machine that has the appearance of a land walker (robotic legs only) and it helps disabled people who aren’t able to walk to walk again. Persons legs are strapped inside a machine where it can assist people to sit proceed in everyday tasks that are impossible to them such as sit, stand, walk, turn around, walk downstairs and walk down slopes. This may help people to work again, cook meals, open and close windows and even make drinks whilst standing up which is something that they could not do when they were sitting down (using a wheelchair).
The target audience for this machine is strictly for people who haven’t got the ability or capacity to walk at all however wheelchair users who are practising to walk again are also good subjects for this machine. This has been tested with seven different people with a different variety of medical conditions to prevent them from walking. This has also been tested for seven years in the fields of mechanical study to point out what they could have improved on the machine and if there were any more obstacles that it could overcome. Overall this testing, the machine has been confirmed to be completely safe. This machine took seven years to create in the field of mechanics and ten million dollars to produce.
Phones
In the future phones will have overcome allot of obstacles and improve in their capabilities. There are two examples: There is the Samsung flexible OLED display which has a high resolution display, bendy plastic phone and the other example is the Samsung galaxy S4 Active which is ‘whatever proofed’, meaning unlike average phones, water and dropping the phone won’t affect it, unless the water has been in contact with the phone for half an hour.
Samsung flexible OLED display
This Samsung phone consist of a thin bendy plastic screen which hold the advantage of not shattering when dropped like other phones such as the IPhone. The phone has enhancing display technology which means it can produce vibrant HD video playback and clear photos with the new built in picture structure, increasing the image quality. Fortunately this phone also provides its own light therefore there is no need for thick backlights. This also saves power as the light is not draining it, lowering the power consumption. This phone covers the three main factors when designing prototypes for future technology and they are, processing, memory and display.
Samsung galaxy S4 Active
This phones gets its name from IP67Ingress protection, the 6 stands for the protection against dust and the 7 stands for the protection against water which this phone can be under a meter deep for thirty minutes until it gets to the system. The heart of the phone is protected providing the battery, micro SD slot and sim connection points with coverage against water and other harmful substances. USB cover needs to be closed and the battery door needs to be fully sealed to enable this protection. Unfortunately if the phone does come into contact with water the screen is useless as it renders waiting to be dry once again so it can work again. physical keys don’t usually work for a while also. As well as the touch screen, the speakers and microphone tend to stop working to whilst coming into contact with water. Fortunately this phone has a feature called the aqua feature which allows the user to take underwater snapshots. The phone includes features from previous phones such as utility toggles which is usually seen from IPhone and Tablets. This will familiarize the user with the phone straight away. The phones includes new features such as S-health to keep track of fitness and S-translator for travelling. The battery can last up to a day when frequently used with a milpower 26,000. The target audience for this phone would be of Clumsy people, people who are accident prone and destructive children.
Smart watch
Watches are also a part of improving technology in the future. This smart watch is in its own way, similar to a smart phone due to some similarities such as familiar features. The alarm, notifies the person who is wearing the watch with a gentle vibration to wake them up. The watch has a wireless technology system, replacing wallet by keeping tabs on finances. The watch is able to pay items, acting like a bank card once scanned at the cash point. Keeping note on balance, income and outcome transactions. The watch also has a health and fitness feature where it counts up the calories the user endures throughout the day and deducts them by the amount of excising they do. This will also keep track of victims and minerals and may inform the person of they would need to consume more to keep a balanced diet. If a person with the smart watch encounters another person who is also in the possession of a smart watch then they can connect their watches up to view similar interests that they may have in common with each other including movies and music.
Mind control include the Brain control interfaces (brain controlled wheelchair)
Mind control can be a form of telekinesis which is often seen in sci-fi films however there is a way in the future that the human race can work with kind of ability. Scientists have developed microchip implants which lie in the brain to operate computers and robots. This can help people who are paralysed or who have lost limbs. The chip is placed into the part of the brain that governs voluntary movement. Electros pick up pulses within millions of neurons which is then sent to a computer to move computers/ robotic limbs. Very few paraplegics have this implant to move their cursor by thinking about moving their paralyzed hand. This could be used with robotic exoskeletons because the brain signals can go directly to the program and move the legs of the robot. The target audience for this product could be towards, paraplegics, people with medical conditions/ disease to reduce their movement abilities, people who have suffered from strokes and people who have suffered from spinal injuries. The people who have this technology as well as a robotic arm, are able to reach out for a drink or food and help themselves with it. This increases the freedom for paralysed patients.
Mind controlled wheelchair
Similar to the microchip implant there is such thing as a mind controlled wheelchair which measures electric activity from the brain. Scientists are able to detect the brain wave patterns which are for different intentions that the person may have, for example if a person where to think about moving left in their wheelchair then the brain waves will get sent as instructions and the chair will move in the preferred direction. The practical communications that this technology would come of use would be separated within two separated within two different categories, controlling physical/ virtual devices and the communication. The wheelchair would become equipped with two cameras at the back and a monitor which the patient would have on his/ her lap to be able to view their surroundings with. Wheelchair patients think about moving there left hand to move in the left direction and think about moving there right hand to move into the right direction. Delivering commands to the chair is simple and therefore quick.
Prosthetic hand that can feel – nerve ending
Apart from futuristic robots, phones, watches and holograms, there are other parts of technology which can be appreciated. For example, a prosthetic hand that is controlled by nerve endings for the ability of movement again. This is would be taken into great advantage for people who are amputees who have lost their hand from war, diabetes, ect. This prosthetic limb replacement works by planting electros in the nerves which are picked up by the several attendants attached to each prosthetic finger. The sensors are used to understand how far the patient would have to grasp an object to be able to pick them up. A feature of this replacement is that the bionic arm can understand the different materials which are being felt upon, it can make a person understand if the object they are coming into contact with is soft or hard materials.
The future technology possibilities for a further future can be storing human thoughts on an external devices, learning new things just from an intelligent brain implants and having the ability to telepathically send messages to friends possibly by microchip brain implants. These are just theories of what the future could possibly hold for the human race.
D1 