Technology is advancing at a rapid pace, and some of the innovations that seemed like science fiction a few years ago are now becoming reality. From bionic suits that enhance human capabilities, to airborne taxis that offer a new way of urban mobility, to surround-sound drones that create immersive audio experiences, here are some of the high-tech developments that are shaping our future.
Bionic suits: Boosting human performance and health
Bionic suits, also known as exoskeletons, are wearable devices that augment human strength, endurance, and mobility. They can be powered by motors, hydraulics, pneumatics, or soft actuators, and can be controlled by sensors, artificial intelligence, or human commands. Bionic suits have various applications, such as assisting workers in heavy industries, helping patients recover from injuries or disabilities, and enhancing soldiers’ combat abilities.
One of the leading companies in this field is Ekso Bionics, which has developed several exoskeletons for different purposes. For example, the EksoGT is a robotic suit that helps stroke and spinal cord injury patients to walk again, while the EksoVest is a lightweight device that reduces fatigue and injury risk for industrial workers. Another company, Sarcos Robotics, has created the Guardian XO, a full-body exoskeleton that can lift up to 200 pounds without strain.
Bionic suits are not only for humans, but also for animals. A team of researchers from ETH Zurich and Disney Research has designed a bionic suit for dogs, called the CyberDog. The suit consists of four artificial legs that can be attached to the dog’s body, allowing it to run faster, jump higher, and perform tasks that are otherwise impossible.
Airborne taxis: Revolutionizing urban transportation
Airborne taxis, also known as flying cars or eVTOLs (electric vertical take-off and landing vehicles), are aircrafts that can fly autonomously or with a pilot, carrying passengers or cargo within or between cities. They are powered by electric motors and batteries, and can take off and land vertically, avoiding the need for runways. Airborne taxis have the potential to reduce traffic congestion, pollution, and travel time, as well as to provide new opportunities for tourism and emergency services.
Several companies are working on developing airborne taxis, such as Uber, Volocopter, Lilium, and Joby Aviation. Some of them have already conducted test flights or demonstrations in various locations around the world. For instance, Uber partnered with Hyundai to unveil a flying car prototype at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas in 2020. Volocopter performed a public flight over Marina Bay in Singapore in 2019. Lilium announced a partnership with Orlando to build the first eVTOL hub in the US in 2020. Joby Aviation acquired Uber Elevate, Uber’s airborne taxi division, in 2020.
Airborne taxis are expected to become commercially available in the next few years, with some estimates suggesting that they could create a $1.5 trillion market by 2040.
Surround-sound drones: Creating immersive audio experiences
Surround-sound drones are drones that can fly in formation and emit sound from different directions, creating a three-dimensional audio effect. They can be used for entertainment, education, art, or communication purposes. For example, they can create realistic soundscapes for virtual reality environments, enhance live performances or exhibitions, or deliver messages or announcements in public spaces.
One of the pioneers in this field is ZYLIA, a Polish company that has developed a system called ZYLIA Drone Orchestra. The system consists of 16 drones equipped with microphones and speakers, which can fly in sync and produce spatial audio. The system can be controlled by a tablet or a laptop, and can also record the sound of the environment and the audience.
Another example is MIT Media Lab, which has created a project called Flyby Sound. The project uses drones to generate sound effects that correspond to the movement and position of the drones. The project aims to explore how sound can influence human perception and emotion.
Surround-sound drones are not only for entertainment, but also for research. A team of scientists from Stanford University and École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) has used drones to study how bats communicate and navigate in complex environments. The drones mimicked the echolocation signals of bats and recorded their responses.