In recent times we witnessed the transformation of the world in the wake of an overwhelming technological evolution. This changed the everyday lives of anyone, whose customs and habits took a new form. All this happened with an increasingly greater integration between what is human and what is not. And it does not refer just to the smartphone, which has nearly become the natural extension of the arm.
In addition to the greater integration of virtual reality in the everyday life routines, in 2017 technology trends are moving in the direction of a development that relies entirely on the individual’s safety, with an application that aims at safeguarding the health and the personal security everyday.
Are you curious to find out what these technology trends are? Here is a selection of the most interesting technological developments we expect this new year.
Learning with the machine learning
Up to now we heard about artificial intelligence mainly regarding its usage within “smart” software that understand the user’s interests and therefore increasingly offer content in line with these last (Google and Facebook, for example).
In 2017 it is expected a further development in this direction, especially regarding the branch of machine learning: machines themselves will teach the user something new and they will develop his skills starting from what they understand about him through their sophisticated algorithms.
This breakthrough could upset the very concept of learning, encouraging an approach in which the individual and the machine learning will be ever more integrated, as reported by Rebecca Blum, Frog’s Senior Strategist.
Virtual Reality: from therapy to home entertainment
Though virtual reality has been discussed mainly with reference to its application in gaming, its use in 2017 will land in completely different worlds. One of the most interesting things that lie ahead are certainly the Virtual Reality Therapies (VRT), that is the usage of this technology in the field of medical treatment.
Specifically, it could be simple micro-experiences that distract the brain from the (perhaps stressful) environment, carrying it in different places to relax and free the mind. Otherwise virtual reality could be a true curative therapy against addictions, phobias and other psychological conditions. In the near future it is expected, however, to also see the results from the physiological point of view, with its application, for example, in the field of neurological rehabilitation.
There will be progress in the field of home entertainment, with more cheaper devices that, a bit at a time, will allow the immersion in the heart of the biggest sports and music live events, while comfortably at home.
Internet of Things in home automation
For years people have been talking about Internet of Things (IoT, Internet of Things), which would appear as a harmonious ecosystem based on the interconnection and the continuous exchange of information between all the individual’s devices in order to create a unique user experience, able to facilitate his daily life. Which better application of that technology could there be, if not home automation (also called smart home)?
Well then, in 2017 are expected great strides right in this direction. If until now we’ve always observed some limits in the total realization of the smart home, mainly because of compatibility problems between different devices arising from the strong competition of companies operating in this field, 2017 could be the breakthrough year. Major companies already have expertise on the uniformity of the user experience (such as Amazon, Apple and Google), and they are getting involved in this field and leading hopes in the very near future to the full and satisfactory interconnection via Wi-Fi of all devices and sensors and to allow the maximum comfort at home. Not only our homes, but any place where we will find, will no longer just support a certain activity, but it will participate to all effects.
Self-driving cars
Self-driving cars – cars able to drive themselves – are an evolution that could greatly reduce the chances of street accidents This would be possible thanks to a combination of sensors and computerized systems that would allow automatic cars to communicate with each other: this is the news that would allow the reduction of road accidents mentioned above, since the sensors of each car would detect the danger and alert the others.
There are several companies that are venturing in the testing of this technology: from the more typically engaged in the automotive industry (Volvo, Tesla, BMW), to those that are by now the vanguards pioneers: Google and Amazon. These futuristic cars could take on many different appearances: from more traditional models to ones seeming true living rooms, which aim to the passenger comfort. What is certain is that in the future the individual will be considered a precious good to carry, and no longer a driver.
Physical and digital worlds: towards the full integration
What surely emerges from this overview on the main technology trends of 2017 is that the boundaries between what is physical and what is digital will be more and more blurred. Actually this integration already exists: there are many examples, related to the e-commerce world, of websites that allow online purchase and collection in a store close to the user, otherwise, there are typically physical brands which provide additional online services such as product tests. Then there are the Amazon Dash Buttons, which represent the reverse process of this integration with the “online” that increasingly encroaches into the physical world.
In short, at stake there is the increasing involvement of the digital world with the physical one, where the first will be not only a support for the second: on the contrary, there will be a relationship of continuous interaction and dialogue between the two entities, in which they will participate in the same extent.
