Kozminski Techblog

Over the past ten years, the society has changed dramatically as a result of the significant evolution of technology. The most recent examples of this recent evolution are social networks or smartphones, more commonly known as new information and communication technologies. Although we are beginning to get used to these changes, new innovations are about to land in our daily lives, which could forever change the way we live. So, I’m going to talk about four technologies that will certainly change our society and our everyday life very soon in about the 2025s.

First we can talk about bionic implants or prostheses that are part of future technologies. Indeed, biotechnologies are advancing very quickly and will soon give the opportunity to really improve the characteristics of certain parts of the human body. Biotechnology can be defined as cybernetic elements used to replace diseased or amputated limbs or to improve the physical or mental characteristics of a human being. This would be much more than a replacement because the bionic technology could be controlled by the brain in the same way as a natural limb while being more resistant and increasing the physical capabilities of its wearer.

For example, scientists are trying to set up models of bionic arms and legs for people who have lost the capacity of these members. Already several models of bionic arms have the advantage of having the faculty or the action of grasping prey or other objects with the hand. But that’s not all; scientists are also trying to create a bionic eye or bionic contact lenses. This bionic eye could allow a blind person to recognize objects and shapes, or to display information superimposed on vision, like augmented reality.

Finally we could see the arrival of removable bionic enhancement technologies to be easily used by human beings wanting to improve their performance and having no severed or non-healthy limbs.

Secondly, we need to talk about 3D printers that are already revolutionizing the world. A 3D printer is a printer that prints three-dimensional objects from a variety of raw materials and by different processes. More precisely, it is the impression of very thin layers whose lamellae are superimposed to form an object in three dimensions. It is already possible to print plastic objects, metal and many other materials. Industry, medicine, food, jewellery, fashion, weapons, DIY, etc., are the sectors that use or are starting to use the 3D printer. It is therefore already possible for 3D printers to create food in a certain form or specific objects for DIY or create organs for the health sector.

Being already accessible to a large number of people, this technological innovation will still evolve strongly, will be democratized and will change many sectors and many industries. Finally, the 3D printer is the fact of creating in a new way with the least possible limits and revolutionizing traditional creative methods of all kinds.

Thirdly, the autonomous car will arrive soon and will completely change our daily life. Indeed, nowadays we can already find cars that are said to be autonomous but which still require our attention and therefore limit this autonomy. That’s why automakers have started pushing this concept further, for a few years, trying to set up the fully autonomous car. Helped and encouraged by some governments, more and more technology companies and automakers are testing autonomous vehicles to democratize this new technology to improve road safety. This revolution is becoming closer to reality: Google’s driverless cars have already travelled no less than 1,125,540 km without ever having a single accident.

So, even if nowadays some car models simply ask to put their hands on the steering wheel only for safety and make the trip alone, the appearance, in three / five years according to some, of this autonomous car will probably be the biggest revolution in the automotive industry since its appearance.

Finally, it is the arrival of trains capable of traveling at a very high speed that could change our daily lives and could be a strong alternative to means of transport such as the plane or the car. That’s what Hyperloop is trying to promise for the next five years more or less.

Hyperloop is the concept of a shuttle placed in a depressurized tube, keeping itself in the air and moving thanks to a magnetic levitation system. According to projections, the Hyperloop could reach 1200 km / hour thanks to the system reducing to the maximum the friction. In total, the Hyperloop One XP-1, the name of the prototype, has travelled a little less than 450 meters, said the group, which said it has successfully tested all components of the system. Despite much criticism of its feasibility, at least four companies are already competing to be the first to market this supersonic train that would forever change the train and transportation industry and that would give tremendous competition to the industry plane.

We can therefore see in this article, that in the near future, our daily life will be totally overwhelmed by different new technologies. This will be done through the improvement of our transportation, which could happen faster than we think despite the fact that we can still raise security issues. In addition these changes will also be made through the improvement of our health which could also raise ethical questions concerning healthy bodies wanting to increase their performances thanks to biotechnologies. Finally this will be done through the improvement of product creation, in the broad sense, which is already experiencing a change thanks to the 3D printer. However, this new technology is only at the beginning of its appearance and still faces limits in terms of its acquisition, the materials, and the size of the products created or forms that can be printed. It will take at least five / seven years before experiencing all these new technologies.

Sources:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-16/bionic-eyes-arms-and-spines-no-longer-science-fiction/8266238

https://www.3dhubs.com/what-is-3d-printing#basics

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2017/10/31/driverless-car-technology-could-leave-users-asleep-wheel-warns/

https://waymo.com/journey/

https://www.pocket-lint.com/gadgets/news/132405-what-is-hyperloop-the-700mph-subsonic-train-explained

https://hypebeast.com/2017/8/hyperloop-one-xp-1-passenger-pod-192-mph-test

As a reflection of our way of life, fashion has to adapt itself in a world which is changing. This is no longer a myth; technologies invade the very real world of fashion. It is the arrival little by little of technology in a world that is very traditional and artisanal. The collaboration between technology and fashion is a phenomenon that is developing more and more: technology is therefore at the service of crafts, the goal is not to turn our back on traditional skills.

Thus, we see appearing the term smart clothing, which by definition, are textiles capable of capturing and analysing a signal in order to respond in a suitable manner. There are different levels of smart clothing. Firstly, there are passive smart clothes, the technology which doesn’t require electrical power. It is the material of the clothes which by its properties tends to give technical qualities. Secondly, there are smart active clothes, able to react in a preprogramed way, requiring a processor and an electric current capable of putting them into action. Finally, there are intelligent adaptive structures, with a learning ability that can adapt to the situation.

At the moment, health and sport are the themes whose smart clothing has developed the most. Having a large number of technical fabrics capable of adapting to the comfort of athletes or patients, it’s possible to measure heart rate, body temperature or performance.

In passive smart clothing, brands such as Nike, Adidas or Reebok are already using textiles to protect the skin from temperature changes while letting it breathe and resist sweat, in most of their technical parts such as socks or leggings.

In terms of smart active clothing, we see that the health sector uses smart fibres to control people with heart disease or diabetes. For its part, Nike has launched sneakers that are laced by themselves (HyperAdapt 1.0), being the first fully functional sports shoes that electronically adapt to the contours of the foot through adaptive lacing technology. Finally Adidas has created a pair of sneakers resistant to vomit and beer, on the occasion of the 184th Oktoberfest in Munich. The materials used have been fully designed to be waterproof and without the possibility to be stained.

In addition, some brands want to offer us, to include features specific to our connected phones, directly in our clothing. Levi’s is preparing a connected jacket in collaboration with Google, being sensitive to touch. The jacket will control your smartphone remotely and activate several features like receiving calls, notifications and GPS information, while having an aesthetically beautiful denim version with high quality. The jacket having fibres composed of a totally invisible electronic device. It will allow people by bike, car or motorcycle, to continue their journey without putting themselves in danger. For example, simply by tapping the sleeve of the jacket, you can accept or decline a call.

Finally, it is in the professional field of risk that technologies and fashion are used frequently. Indeed aerospace, has space suits composed of many innovations and micro-technology to improve both the comfort and protection of astronauts. Firefighters also see their clothing evolve, having sensors that can control the temperature inside and outside the suit and alert the wearer in critical conditions. Finally it is in the military field that it is possible to find military suits that can reduce infections in case of injury.

This shows that smart clothing is not only a gadget but also can be used and needed in specific areas. This is why we must not be afraid of the technological revolution that is beginning to affect the field of textiles and fashion. It is a new way of putting technologies at the service of the craft industry, which enriches the industry and allow new actors to emerge which are becoming more and more important. However, this revolution can present certain risks, which must be informed, such as the emergence of new ethical and societal issues. Indeed, smart clothing creating new IP addresses and new data information brings new risks of data protection and the risk of malicious intrusions.

Sources:

https://eu.mouser.com/applications/healthcare-may-reside-in-smart-clothing/

https://www.digitaltrends.com/wearables/smart-clothing-is-the-future-of-wearables/

https://www.nike.com/pl/launch/t/hyperadapt-1-0

https://www.forbes.com/sites/lisakocay/2017/09/06/adidas-is-releasing-puke-and-beer-resistant-oktoberfest-sneakers/#53d63a5033de

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/sep/26/jacquard-google-levis-smart-jacket-denim

http://www.newsweek.com/2015/07/17/introducing-astronaut-clothing-future-349955.html

http://blog.peigenesis.com/the-rise-of-smart-clothing-and-body-sensors-for-military-use

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/279955814_A_Review_of_Smart_Clothing_in_Military

In recent years, we have seen a radical change in information technology. This race for innovation was accompanied by a strong growth in our demand for natural resources such as raw materials, energy production and space. This is why the digital revolution and the ecological transition are two big issues that require a common vision.

The smart home is a solution combining the digital revolution and the ecological transition. The smart home or “connected home” is a sustainable home, energy efficient and integrated into its environment. Indeed, wired or operating by radio wave, it is a system that invests in our everyday universe using all the technologies of computing and communication, to reduce the energy consumption of our home while maintaining comfort. In other words, it is the fact that several devices are connected to each other via a central control. Nowadays, the devices are most often directly connected to the Internet, by the Wi-Fi. That’s why it’s now possible to control everything from the smartphone

This is probably the system that allows the greatest possible energy savings by optimizing the consumption related to air conditioning, heating or lighting. Thanks to automation and sensors, interconnected electrical equipment manages the energy consumption (heating, lighting, water, ventilation, etc.) as much as possible while keeping the comfort of the occupied areas under control.

For example, it is possible to configure the heating setting in each room at the desired time, configure the occupancy sensor to manage the correct room temperature, or turn off or turn on a remote heater. It is also possible to have a shutter schedule to bring in the heat of the sun in winter or avoid it in summer or manage the lighting of each room.

This system also ensures optimal home security. Indeed, smoke and carbon monoxide detectors can prevent fires and accidents due to a malfunction of the heaters. Finally, presence detectors or cameras can detect intrusions into it.

However, this ecological transition is very expensive in the short term. Indeed the smart home is perceived as a luxury. The cost of this technology is calculated based on the size of the housing, the number of detectors and accessories, and the features requested. This usually requires a big investment. But it also requires a common global effort, which makes the transition complex to orchestrate: renewable energies, being, for the moment, less profitable than fossil and nuclear energies. Moreover, in the event of a power failure or malicious electronic intrusions, the entire home is likely to have harmful consequences. Finally, new technologies require non-renewable raw materials and produce tons of electronic waste.

I therefore strongly encourage individuals to adopt this system while taking into account, by buying electronic devices, risks and limits, such as digital pollution. Nevertheless, it is important to be aware of the energy impact of homes on the environment, by equipping them with interconnected and sustainable smart devices, to be able to respond as much as possible to environmental problems.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Home_automation

https://home.howstuffworks.com/smart-home.htm

http://internetofthingsagenda.techtarget.com/definition/smart-home-or-building

The film industry has continued to develop new advanced technologies to create an experience more realistic, passing through 35mm film to digital projection or from 2D to 3D projection.

Developed in South Korea, 4DX technology revolutionizes the cinema and offers to us, spectators, to live a new experience using our 5 senses. Totally free from visual and auditory limitations, we can discover a cinema off the screen and a unique immersive cinematic experience, interactive and unusual. Immersed in the heart of the movie, all the senses are stimulated.

Even more successful than 3D, 4DX plays on sensations since it integrates smells, effects and chairs moving, giving the impression of being in a simulator. The 4DX room is equipped with high-tech equipment offering seat movements and special environmental effects, such as wind, water, fog, bubbles, perfume and lightning. For example we can be wet with water jets, when it rains in the movie, or jets of air can blow us cold and hot depending on the scene in the movie or feel the effects of tingling at the level of the legs. Finally odor effects are also present in some movies, diffusing up to 10 different smells. These big chairs vibrate, move and toggle in perfect synchronization with the actions on the screen. Each 4DX seat is able to create fluid and dynamic movements closer to the actions of the movie thanks to the effects of vibration and tickling but also thanks to the combinations to varying degrees of three basic movements as the swing to the right and left, as lifting up and down, and finally as the toggling forward and backward. In summary, these different effects provide a significant bonus: people are immersed in the heart of the movie by following the movements of the characters and of the camera. The sensations are there.

However, this new technology can be further improved. Indeed, it meets limits: the technology is not recommended for pregnant women, the elderly and people under one meter. But it also meets limits, like, the lack of choice in terms of odors; like, sudden movements that can make you feeling sick or bored or like noises accompanying technology that can disconnect people from the atmosphere of the movie. Finally it encounters limits in price: this technology comes with a fairly important one. The 4DX sessions have a price that varies from 39 to 43 PLN for a normal rate in Warsaw, which leaves the opportunity for only few people to enjoy it.

Nevertheless, I think we should live at least once this new experience of total immersion. The 4DX still need to make great progress in the near future by improving all its components but to me this seems to already be an interesting new technology in the field of cinema. Finally you can already try this new technology since it is already present in several cinemas in Warsaw.

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4DX

https://www.cineworld.co.uk/4dx#/

https://www.cinema-city.pl/4dx#/

http://www.expressilustrowany.pl/lodz/a/sala-kinowa-4dx-w-cinema-city-w-manufakturze-juz-dziala-jak-sprawdzilismy-i-robi-wrazenie,11612274/

Nowadays, the traditional modes related to health are highly disturbed by the rapid progress of new technologies in this sector. Health making set of daily life and new technologies aimed at gradually introducing it, it is natural that these two areas meet. Indeed, being more and more connected with each other, gives the possibility to engineers, researchers and scientists to find faster solutions for the good of our health. Solutions on the speed of data or communications, but also solutions on the distance between the persons concerned or directly on the problems emerge.

One of the solutions having a rapid advance in recent years is the 3D printer for health. This is why its main field of application today is surgery. Before that, it was necessary to make by hand tailor-made to be able to create prostheses. But thanks to the 3D medical imaging associated with a 3D printer, it is now possible to create an exact replica of the bone to be replaced. Indeed this solution allows manufacturing, in biocompatible but durable materials, customized prostheses perfectly adapted to each patient.

The transformation of health systems through the practice of telemedicine is a reality and an inevitable trend of improving health services. Telemedicine is a form of remote medical practice in development. The information and communications technology are the two areas on which it rests. In other words, these are the instruments that rely on information and communications technology to facilitate and improve the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and medical monitoring, and management of health and lifestyle. This includes communication between patients or health professionals, the interaction between patients and health care providers or the transmission of data between institutions.

The electronic health record is also a new solution that is progressing day by day. It is a veritable health book that is always accessible and secure. To be more practical, it is computerized and only the patient can control the access. Besides him, only authorized healthcare professionals such as doctors, nurses or pharmacists can consult it. In other words, it is a computerized medical file containing all the past of the patient and medical news. It allows authorized healthcare professionals to access information relevant to patient care and to share with other healthcare professionals’ medical information about them such as history, possible allergies, medications they took, hospitalization and consultation reports, exam results such as radios, biological analyses, etc.

Apart from these major innovations, they are full of other small that emerge through new technologies. Indeed it is now possible for patients to be helped to stop smoking, to monitor their sleep or to take their medicines at the right time through certain applications on their telephone or to measure alone their blood pressure or their heart rate.

Unfortunately, for the moment, all these changes take time. Although they arrive in the daily lives of people, these technologies are gradually being adopted slowly. Adapting to these new practices will take some time: some people find it difficult to adapt to these new modes of care or to be confident about these new technologies. It is still a small number of people who agree to use the new solutions.

Moreover, although the medicine evolves, telemedicine encounters limits. Virtual care will never replace contact with the doctor. Indeed, the reason is simple; the medicine is based on four main principles: questioning, observation, palpation and auscultation. If the interrogation can be done remotely using the telephone, and observation (at the limit by means of videoconferencing), palpation and auscultation cannot unfortunately be carried out remotely. To be effective, telemedicine must remain complementary to a real medical monitoring.

For now, the electronic medical record can cause great insecurity among patients, because personal data is stolen (infringes the confidentiality of data) or a fear of computer theft or password.

To sum up, we should not be wary of new technological solutions in the field of health. Indeed, we would have to accept them gradually, given the marked improvement in the management, monitoring and health status of patients. On condition, not abuse it and to adapt gradually to measure the awareness of their utilities. 3D printing in the health sector is probably one of the fastest technologies at adaptation and one that meets the least limit.

Sources:

https://www.aimseducation.edu/blog/benefits-of-technology-in-healthcare/

Medical Technology