IBM has released its annual Next Five in Five [pdf], a list of five new and upcoming technologies it believes have the potential to change the way we live our lives over the next five years.
We’re already starting to see significant implementation of some of them, like GPS technologies that feed information back into their routing to create customized commutes. These services are analyzing traffic patterns and offering alternative routes to and from work to make your journey quicker. Consider, however, that they also have the potential to alleviate traffic congestion along major routes as the technology becomes ubiquitous. The more people making use of this technology allows the system to learn and grow, creating a more well-distributed traffic flow through urban centers.
Another trend we’d like to see is making use of waste heat from computing. As it stands, a significant portion of any data center’s budget goes toward cooling, and the excess heat dissipated by computing hardware is typically just vented to the surrounding atmosphere. Thermal storage technologies and regenerative uses of this hot air could make a huge impact in energy usage in environments where computing is centralized.
Rounding out their list, IBM predicts personalized sensor networks (in devices such as our increasing number of smartphones), 3D telepresence, and lithium-air batteries are set to make waves in our day to day lives. For more information, read the IBM document at the link above.
We’re already starting to see significant implementation of some of them, like GPS technologies that feed information back into their routing to create customized commutes. These services are analyzing traffic patterns and offering alternative routes to and from work to make your journey quicker. Consider, however, that they also have the potential to alleviate traffic congestion along major routes as the technology becomes ubiquitous. The more people making use of this technology allows the system to learn and grow, creating a more well-distributed traffic flow through urban centers.
Another trend we’d like to see is making use of waste heat from computing. As it stands, a significant portion of any data center’s budget goes toward cooling, and the excess heat dissipated by computing hardware is typically just vented to the surrounding atmosphere. Thermal storage technologies and regenerative uses of this hot air could make a huge impact in energy usage in environments where computing is centralized.
Rounding out their list, IBM predicts personalized sensor networks (in devices such as our increasing number of smartphones), 3D telepresence, and lithium-air batteries are set to make waves in our day to day lives. For more information, read the IBM document at the link above.
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Mike Wrightly is mostly diesel fumes and duct tape; he grew up around heavy equipment, and holds a Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
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