Doesn’t it feel like we should currently have jetpacks? Teleporters? Or meals in capsule form? We already have some amazing technology, like tablets, which are small computers that people can carry around. We can utilize the GPS in our cars to find the way around town. We can post an update to our social media sites and reach thousands of people at once.
So, why don’t we have teleporters and hovercrafts? What is keeping us from taking these leaps in technology?
Building a Better Battery
As we move into a more mobile world, batteries grow in significance. They are a building block of our technological world nowadays. Consequently, if we are limited by their power, and capability to hold a charge, the technology that utilizes them is also limited. For example, you wouldn’t want your jet pack to loose its charge in flight. Recently, researchers at Chicago’s Northwestern University found a way to make a much more powerful lithium-ion battery than the ones we have today. We explored this more thoroughly in a blog post last week. When these batteries finally hit the market, we will likely notice a increase in technological advancements.
Improving Internet Access
It may seem like most people are linked to the Internet, but this is a fallacy. The majority of the world doesn’t have access to the Internet. While this may not seem like it could hold back technological advancements, it does. The thought is that by limiting the number of people who can contribute to the interconnectedness the Internet provides, we are restricting the amount of individuals who can collaborate. Until the vast majority of people are connected, technological breakthroughs will not happen as quickly as they could.
The Business of New Tech
Last but not least there is the bureaucracy. Business matters, like patent laws, can hamper technological progress. Individuals and businesses that develop innovative things have to first navigate these waters. But if government regulations are clear and simple to understand, it could eliminate some of this.
The good news is that none of these limitations can truly stop technology from improving. Just think ahead to the holiday season of 2020. Who knows what innovations will be waiting for us.