From an industrial era into an information-filled era, technological advancements are now developing at a rate faster than ever before. Human beings have made great improvements in their ways of communicating, building and interacting with each other and the rest of the world. Disruptive technologies can be defined as the new ways of carrying out mundane activities that overturn traditional business practices. As technology continues to evolve, dividing lines between the physical, biological and digital realms continue to blur. Though disruptive, today's technologies are paving way for a better future.
Out of personal experience from being in this industry for decades, here are some disruptive technologies that are helping to shape our future.
3D Printing
3D printing has been around since the 1980s but has not been readily accessible until recently. This technology has been effectively applied in prosthetics, construction industry and mechanical industry where it has turned out to be less wasteful resource-wise, faster, cheaper, and a non-pollutant. With the help of this printing, conceptual architectural designs have been relayed, avoiding miscommunication. 3D printing is generally changing manufacturing on a large scale.
Artificial Intelligence
In our day-to-day lives, we interact with AI more often than we realize. Through your virtual assistant like Siri and apps such as Uber and google maps, our lives have been made easier as the systems are designed to take your requests and answer your questions. In the automotive industry, many companies are working on seeing a future with autonomous vehicles which spells efficient fuel consumption, fewer road accidents and reduced traffic congestion. The healthcare sector hopes to connect the neural network with AI for amputees with attached prosthetics. Collectively, it aims at integrating AI and humans to create a better world. You Might Also Like: How to Break Into the Tech Industry Even if You Aren't a Born-and-Bred Techie Agam Berry’s Top Picks | Coolest Augmented Reality Apps Of Summer 2019
Virtual Reality
Also called augmented reality, is a popular technology within the entertainment industry. Gaming companies are creating more interactive games, which tend to blur lines separating the virtual and physical world, creating a "real" gaming world. VR, AR, and Mixed Reality have brought a shift in the construction industry. Together with the existing software, architects design their projects showcasing them in real-time.
Distributed Ledger Technology
Commonly known as Blockchain, establishes a trustless economy through its cryptography and decentralized components. Through blockchain, the need for a third party of traditional financial transactions is considered useless. Other than just financial services, blockchain technology has been incorporated into the supply chain management of retail, construction industries, food and logistics, healthcare industry, just to name a few. Blockchain is characterized by transparency, decentralization, and security.
Internet of Things
This is a technology which creates an expansive network of things and devices interconnected through the internet to enable communication between the devices. In a more global scale, this technology aims to transform our cities into "small cities".
Mobile and Wearable Technology
Smartphone ownership is at an all-time high, bringing items to its customers through communication technology.
Social Robotics
Robots have been designed to interact with humans and are been set to become much smaller, more affordable and collaborative.