Blockchain, IoT, 5G, cloud computing, augmented reality – these terms are already familiar to many. But what exactly is behind it and why is the business world constantly talking about it? New technologies and digitization are already encroaching on all areas of private and economic life. Special attention is being paid to the globally increasing use of mobile devices and related technology. To stay ahead of the competition, companies must adapt to new ways of working and communicating.

Studies on IT trends are already well elaborated by Gartner. We summarize the 8 megatrends of the future. (part 2)

 

5. neurotechnology

Computer chips in the brain? This sounds unimaginable to many and is only known from sci-fi movies. However, the fact that technology already exists today that creates a so-called “brain-computer interface” shows how far research in this area has already come. The best known is probably the name “Neuralink”. Founded in 2016 by Elon Musk (Tesla, SpaceX) and 7 others, the company develops and researches so-called BCI (Brain Computer Interface). A BCI is a special human-machine interface that enables a connection between the brain and a computer – without activating the peripheral nervous system.

But it is not only communication between computers and human brains that is to be made possible, but also the healing of neurological diseases. The hope is to be able to help people suffering from Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s or depression. From a medical perspective, a BCI will be as present as a pacemaker in the future. The technology is already so advanced that Musk says minicomputers will be implemented in human bodies as early as 2021. As unbelievable as that sounds: But people will soon be able to communicate, work or be artistic only through the mind.

Will humans eventually become cyborgs?

Using technology to help the blind see again, the lame walk again, or the deaf regain their sense of hearing. We ask ourselves: Why not? Until now, humans have remained untouched as the crown of creation in the development of technology, but that is about to change. If sick people can be helped, life can be made easier or high-tech organs can monitor bodily functions, the potential for medicine is endless. We cannot (yet) answer whether we will be able to simply store a “backup” of ourselves in the cloud and thus realize or simulate eternal life. The fact is: Neurotechnology is a development that is not without risk. Because where software is involved, someone could always hack in.

6. 5G – The future of connectivity

The entire industry is preparing for a new upheaval in the digital world: 5G is taking off. 5G is the successor to 4G (LTE) and refers to the 5th generation of mobile communications. The special feature is that extremely high data rates of up to 10Gbit per second can be achieved with 5G. With a near instantaneous response time, 5G can enable real-time transmission for work, communication or media consumption. The new standard is also seen as a basis for the automation of production processes or autonomous driving.

Time-critical applications are used here, for which low latency times of 1ms are essential. As mentioned in our last article on the 8 megatrends under point 3, car manufacturers are already installing the technology for autonomous driving – but since the 5G network is not yet sufficiently developed, Tesla & Co. are holding back for the most part. For the most part, they are still holding back with the activation. The prerequisite is real-time communication between vehicles and high availability of mobile data connections. All of this only works with 5G. But it is not only the end consumer who can benefit from 5G. The higher speeds and more bandwidth also open up completely new possibilities for companies.

Especially companies that use IoT (last article, point 3) and Industry 4.0 applications benefit the most with 5G. From production optimization and intelligent maintenance to machine or robot control from a remote location, the industry is deriving great benefit from the new mobile communications standard.

5G mobile communications as an alternative for fiber optics?

For businesses in sparsely populated or remote areas, a slow Internet connection remains a major challenge. This is due to the unfortunately very low coverage rates of fiber optic cables in Germany. In times of IoT and digitalization, low download and upload rates, unstable networks and congestion are a disaster for many companies. In Canada and the USA, one in five households is already doing without a fixed network and using wireless connections instead. Attention here: Anyone relying on the mobile network as a substitute for fiber connections in the future could be disappointed: 5G radio masts are still connected to the Internet by fiber. This means that fiber-optic expansion is a prerequisite for nationwide rollout of the 5G generation.

7. 4D print

3D printers can now be bought at discount stores. But what is 4D print? 4D printing describes the approach of providing a 3D printed object with the ability to transform. More specifically, a 3D printer object can change its shape over time by adding energy. So the fourth dimension in this species is time. Deformations can be caused by light, water, heat, vibration or magnetic fields, for example. But where is this used in practice? Let’s take a look at the automotive industry: Research is currently being conducted on a “smart” material that will enable the vehicle to transform its body. The metal could soften in a collision with a human, while hardening in an accident with another vehicle to protect the occupants. In logistics, products are conceivable that only unfold their full potential when they reach the customer. Thus, transport costs could be saved. In the textile industry, clothing can be produced that adapts to the body when “put on” and thus fits perfectly..

8. augmented reality

In 2016, many young people were seen in parks or on the streets constantly staring at their smartphones in groups. Hanging from a power bank, they played Pokémon Go, the first game that helped augmented reality make its breakthrough. Augmented reality (AR) is described as “augmented reality.” Here, reality perception is supplemented by computer-based applications.

In addition to Pokémon Go, IKEA, for example, is already using this technology to plan home furnishings through virtual furniture pieces by simply placing them with a smartphone. In soccer broadcasts, AR is used for the insertion of additional information. Here, offside lines or goal distances are inserted into the picture for the spectators. Let’s take a look at the industry for another example: The future of AR technology is not only driven by smartphones. Instead of a smartphone, a production manager could wear inconspicuous glasses that allow him to look at various machines on the production floor. As soon as he focuses on a machine, the AR glasses superimpose various information into the wearer’s field of vision. For example, it is possible to quickly track which job the machine is currently working on, what the capacity utilization is, or whether the tools are working without errors.

Our conclusion:

Considering that our computer age and technology is about 50 years old, the future will be exciting. With the computing power of a pocket calculator, it was possible to visit the moon in the 1970s – what exciting developments the future holds is written in the stars. But one thing is certain: science and technology will offer people unimaginable opportunities to improve and optimize economic processes.