There’s no denying that the “future” is a subjective term. However, it’s also completely undeniable that we’re living in it. If automated cars, personal devices with the processing power of last century’s super computers, and private sector space ships don’t convince you, nothing will.
Personal Devices
One of the biggest futuristic technology areas is in computing.
Just 50 years ago, the kind of computer power that operates your cell phone was still a dream away. In 2014, the fastest computer in the world operated at a speed measured in quadrillions of cycles per second and there are cell-phones that have processing power nearing 1 Gigaflops. Compare that to the super computing Fugaku which peaked at 442 petaflops.
If the future has to be defined, computers are the definition. They’re everywhere, controlling everything, and making technology possible that was pure science fiction just decades ago.
When you call up a friend on your mobile phone or check a fact on the Internet, you’re not just doing something mundane. You’re tapping the buttons of the future.
Voice Recognition Technology
Along with personal devices comes the future of voice recognition technology.
The technology might have once been a bad commercial joke and lab showpiece, but today it’s working in a variety of places. It most commonly appears in the field of medicine, modern vehicles, computers, and smartphones.
Most of the current voice recognition software isn’t good enough to have a real conversation with, but that’s steadily getting closer, too. We’re working on technology that will make arguing with an annoying gold-plated android possible.
Not only are we living in the future, we’re still building the future we’ll be living in tomorrow.
Space Flight
For the first time, space flight is realistically within reach of private companies and individuals.
One of the leaders in privatized space flight R&D, Virgin Galactic, is hard at work building a line of space vessels that mirrors earth-bound passenger lines. Their current design will carry up to 8 passengers with a view towards sight-seeing.
A trip into space, looking for adventure, is one of humanity’s oldest dreams come true. If the next one functions as well as the first one already has, you and I may be visiting the space station sooner than we ever expected.
Digital Roads
For centuries, roads allowed the Romans to maintain and expand an empire. The reason for this – ease of transportation for everyone, most particularly the Roman legions.
Now, however, roads have become ‘so last-century’ as far as being the pinnacle of rapid travel.
Super efficient cars get us everywhere we need to go daily, but the entire world is within reach by air. Trans-oceanic flights are not only common-place, they’re trips on which we expect every amenity.
Futuristic Technology
These are just a few examples of exactly why we’re living in the future. Our technology has even exceeded the predictions of science-fiction in some areas and is rapidly outpacing even the modern imagination.
Are you sitting in your armchair at home or your office at work? Maybe you’re at a restaurant having lunch?
It doesn’t matter, really. Wherever you are, look around; chances are, you’ll be staring at something that proves we’re in the future.