In Pictures: Upcoming Technologies We Want Right Now

Tom's Hardware ^ | 24SEPT10 | Kevin Parrish

[Future Snake Eater]

Technology is in a constant state of flux, and there are a number of cool concepts that haven't yet realized mainstream adoption, despite massive potential to change our lives. We take a look at 11 different ideas that you could see pick up steam.

[Future Snake Eater]

1. Holographic data storage
2. Volumetric 3D display
3. Self-Driving Automobiles
4. Augmented Reality
5. Hardcore Virtual Gaming
6. Atomic Memory
7. Shape-Changing Alloys
8. Home-Based Nuclear Generators
9. Petroleum-Free Automobiles
10. Liquid Breathing
11. Wireless Energy

[WebFocus]

How about biotechnology?

Here’s one — a cure for cancer.

[ClearCase_guy]

[Future Snake Eater]

I’m still waiting to find out what a jigawatt is. I always assumed that he meant “gigawatt”, but maybe Doc Brown knew something I didn’t....

[coon2000]

Number 3......

http://www.graymatterinc.com/

[sarasota]

Self-driving auto concept has been around for decades.

[ClearCase_guy]

My understanding is that the “J” pronounciation is an obscure but acceptable variant. Christopher Lloyd, I was told, was speaking to a european physicist for background on the role, and the european used the “J” pronounciation, so Lloyd had Doc Brown talk about jigawatts, without realizing that this was going to catch much notice.

[Future Snake Eater]

Very interesting, I didn’t know that.

[umgud]

4. Augmented Reality

This one really excites me. Heads-up display in your eyeglasses. Computers without monitors, windshield data, and the biggie; I won't need need those itty bitty screens on smart phones.

[Blood of Tyrants]

I noticed that the flying car was suspiciously absent.

[Future Snake Eater]

Yeah, the potential for that technology is pretty incredible. Just thinking of land navigation for the military alone...

[Future Snake Eater]

Here you go:

Or, for the sportier look:

And, of course, there's the 1970s version:

[allmendream]

Well cancer is the inevitable consequence of our DNA not being replicable without introducing errors. As such there will most likely never be a “cure” for cancer, just better and better treatments when it comes up, and better and better ways of detecting it before it becomes lethal.

[bmwcyle]

Home-Based Nuclear Generators — I want one.

[maddog55]

Jigaplex is much smaller then a googolplex.

[Dead Corpse]

Bwahahahahaaaa...

[ThomasThomas]

11. Wireless Energy

Nikola Tesl was working on that.

4. Augmented Reality

Current administration.

6. Atomic Memory

They mean this.

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-chat/2595501/posts

[pgkdan]

Cool...I’m in fore everything except the self-driving car. I like driving and won’t give it up.

[DreamingWest]

I don’t get the virtual gaming one... go outside, play paintball or something.

[pabianice]

Flying cars! Where are the flying cars? Terrafugia is a giant joke. I want my flying car!!