The world is changing fast, and technology is the main driver of these changes. Although many experts say that digitization is still in its infancy, we are all witnessing the dynamic development of technology.
2023 will be an important year—one that could kick-start trends that will change our lives forever. In the previous century, great inventions and discoveries came from individual geniuses, but in recent years, the greatest breakthroughs and innovations came from teams working together for a specific purpose. In this article, we review 5 of the most important technological innovations that are changing our world and shaping our future.
Drone Deliveries
The first attempts at drone deliveries were made in the US, in 2016. Since then, drones have become more powerful and affordable. In 2019, a study revealed that the delivery of essential medicines and medical equipment could be transported optimally using drones. Retailers expect this technology to become increasingly popular over the next two years. Amazon recently said that they are going to deliver products using Prime Air drones in Lockeford, California later in 2022. Earlier this year, Walmart announced that the delivery service implemented with operator DroneUp will be rolled out in six states, making it the country’s first large-scale drone delivery program.
Augmented Reality
Unlike Virtual Reality (VR) which involves building a metaverse to show something, Augmented Reality (AR) involves bringing virtual elements into the real world. The most significant example is the game Pokemon Go, which enjoyed global success when it launched in 2016. Minecraft Earth followed, and the list could go on. However, AR technology can be used successfully in an infinite number of disciplines. Already, the automotive industry has started implementing AR in car models produced in the last year. Recent estimates indicate that AR and VR will become mainstream, with the global market expected to reach $142.4 billion by 2023—up from $13.4 billion in 2018.
Chatbots
These AI-driven bots manage to take over a good portion of human support agents’ tasks. It is already being used in the customer relations sector, especially in e-commerce and gaming. In the coming years, we’ll see this technology everywhere. Chatbots will become increasingly popular in various industries, such as banking, telecoms, retail, insurance, e-commerce, healthcare, government, HR, takeaway food, and utility companies.
Autonomous Cars
Self-driving cars are one of the most important developments in AI. Because autonomous cars use machine learning algorithms, the technology is getting better by the day. While there currently are some autonomous cars that offer a high degree of driver assistance, fully autonomous cars are still in the testing phase. Before these vehicles become widely available, laws will need to be passed to define liability for errors. The first step has been taken in Dubai, where one company announced it would launch a fleet of autonomous taxis in 2023.
Internet of Things
The Internet of Things (IoT) refers to a system of electronic devices that communicate with each other over the Internet. The number of such devices in homes is growing every year, and according to a Statista report, this number is predicted to almost triple—from 9.7 billion in 2020 to more than 29 billion in 2030. In addition to the many devices that can be found in smart homes, this technology is now being used in smartwatches and bracelets, medical equipment, urban safety monitoring devices, and more.
Conclusion
From business development to enhancing living standards, technology is playing a vital role in transforming our lifestyles. Today, more companies are involved in exploring new and more advanced technologies to expand the possibilities of human-technology interaction.
