Here at BBC Science Focus, we have a deep appreciation for inventive creations – particularly those that are bizarre, imaginative, and exceptionally cool (extra credit if they’re genuinely practical).
During our time at GITEX Global and Expand North Star, two of the largest conferences focusing on technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in Dubai, we set out to uncover the most astonishing innovations poised to enter the market soon.
From tangible holograms to intelligent contact lenses and airborne taxis, here is a glimpse into some of the most groundbreaking technologies showcased.
1. The Fusion of Flying Taxis and Autonomous Vehicles
Since the days of Blade Runner and Futurama, the concept of flying cars has occupied our imagination. With advancements in drone technology, we may finally be approaching the reality of soaring over urban landscapes in our own aerial pods.
However, the idea of a flying car that interacts with standard vehicles is unprecedented. Yet, this is exactly what the Guangzhou Automobile Group is unveiling with its new GOVY AirCab concept.
Indeed, GOVY is capable of taking off and landing vertically from an autonomous ground chassis, thus functioning both as a conventional taxi and an aerial transport.
What does this unusual combination signify? According to Hanxuan Liu, a product specialist involved with GOVY, it embodies the “ultimate vision of the future of mobility.” The blend of drone technology and vehicle chassis enables “one-click journeys” without the hassle of vehicle transitions. Essentially, you can call it, board it, fly where feasible, and drive where necessary.
The company has conducted test flights and is in pursuit of safety certification. Liu anticipates public demonstrations by next year and a rollout across China in two years. As for the U.S. and Europe? Liu believes we might see GOVY operational both on the roads and in the skies within five years.
2. Sports Enhanced by Augmented Reality
Imagine if dodgeball and Pokemon GO had a child; it would likely be something akin to HADO. This augmented reality sport is gaining traction globally.
Players wear headsets and wrist sensors to launch virtual energy balls, create shimmering shields, and avoid incoming attacks, all while standing on a real-world court. The experience feels part video game, part high-energy exercise.
Devised in Japan in 2014, HADO has matured into a legitimate technosport with professional leagues, educational programs, and even a World Cup. Its creators champion it as “a means to encourage physical activity through technology, and a powerful way to engage younger audiences.”
3. Healing Hearts with Spider Silk
Spider silk, when weighed against steel, exhibits superior strength. Its production is also sustainable and adaptable. So, why not harness these extraordinary natural materials for our use?
Latvian biotech firm PrintyMed has manufactured synthetic spider silk that imitates the natural spinning process, yielding fibers that are remarkably strong, flexible, and compatible with living tissue.
The research team partnered with the Latvian Institute of Organic Synthesis to devise a protein that can be spun into silk using a biomimetic approach similar to that utilized by spiders to craft webs. The outcome is a sustainable material that can be produced at scale and applied in innovative ways.
The company plans to utilize its lab-created silk to transform healthcare, from creating hyper-realistic “organs on chips” for drug trials to developing long-lasting, clot-resistant heart valves and advanced wound dressings that enhance healing.
But that’s just the beginning. PrintyWeb is also exploring the use of silk to fabricate artificial organs and tissue scaffolds, which might one day alleviate the global shortage of transplantable organs.
4. Revolutionary Smart Lenses Aiming to Replace All Screens
Resembling something from a spy thriller, XPANCEO aims to develop the world’s first truly smart contact lenses, a cutting-edge gadget that could eventually replace mobile phones, smartwatches, and glasses.
“Today’s computers are bulky and disposable. They’re detrimental to your health, harmful to the environment, and inefficient. We require the ultimate interface,” stated Roman Axelrod, co-founder of XPANCEO to BBC Science Focus.
“Everyone can agree that the next frontier of computing is AI. Then comes augmented reality (XR) computing powered by AI. AI serves as the brain; XR as the interface, whether through glasses, helmets, or contact lenses. We believe contact lenses could become the ultimate interface.”
It’s an ambitious vision: an invisible lens in zero gravity, unifying all your devices into one, featuring capabilities like real-time liveness detection, health tracking, night vision, and zoom.
However, it’s still in the nascent phase. Co-founder Dr. Valentin S. Volkov indicates that XPANCEO intends to have a fully integrated prototype ready by the end of next year, a simple monochrome display capable of yielding basic data and gathering biosignals from the eye.
Smart lenses, categorized as medical devices, will advance gradually under strict regulation. However, if XPANCEO succeeds, smart glasses may soon become obsolete.
5. Actual Holograms
Participating in a morning meeting styled like the Jedi Council may no longer belong solely to a galaxy far, far away. Australian firm Voxon is pioneering science fiction with its VLED technology, producing live, three-dimensional images that appear to float in mid-air.
Differing from standard flat 3D projections, Voxon’s volumetric displays consist of millions of floating points of light, creating 360-degree visuals that can be navigated and viewed from any angle.
For instance, the Voxon VX2 is a tabletop apparatus that employs a rapidly spinning LED array to generate a hologram within a cylinder measuring around 25 cm in diameter and height.
Within its illuminated columns, you can observe everything from medical scans and molecular structures to game avatars and architectural models in full three dimensions.
6. High-Tech Doghouse for Safe Shopping
Leaving your dog unattended outside a store or in your vehicle might soon become outdated. Serbian startup Smartsy has designed an innovative dog kennel that offers pets a secure, climate-controlled environment while their owners shop at supermarkets or dine in cafes.
Smartsy’s sleek pods include automatic safety locks, real-time video monitoring (perfect for dogs with separation anxiety), and soundproof, insulated walls to ensure your furry friend stays calm and cozy.
A silent airflow system guarantees ventilation, and an integrated heater maintains optimal temperatures whatever the weather. Each cabin is disinfected with a UV lamp after every use, preparing it for the next furry visitor.
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Source: www.sciencefocus.com
