This article is reproduced from: Zhongcheng Translation
Translator: Wen Lin
Link: http://www.zcfy.cc/article/830
Original: https:/ /medium.com/startup-grind/9-innovations-that-could-become-the-next-big-thing-842f4bf6e324
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Half of 2016 has passed. The reality is clear. We are living in a new era of innovation. Outside of Silicon Valley, companies and startup incubators around the world are solving major problems, such as water scarcity and cancer. The concept of “the next big thing” is a bit redundant, because breakthroughs are commonplace. Let’s talk about the nine innovations that may soon affect the world:
1. Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence that can learn and operate independently of the human owner. This looks like science fiction. However, this may become a reality that will become a new reality in the next three to five years. Robots can learn skills, operate tasks, and upload information to the cloud to help AI systems learn quickly. Different types of AI no longer need to be programmed independently. They will understand ideas, copy programs, and create breakthroughs faster than humans have ever done. The good news is that the “future” has arrived. Research has just created a revolutionary AI that can repeat the quantum physics experiment that won the Nobel Prize in 2001 in one hour.
2. Autonomous driving
How long does it take to commute every week? If Google, Apple, or Tesla Motors goes well, you may soon be able to spend your commute to sleep, read, and even shop. Self-driving cars already exist, and everyone is vying to occupy the market. General Motors has just acquired Cruise Automation for more than $1 billion, and ride-hailing services companies like Uber and Lyft are investing heavily. Even garage hackers such as George Hotz are turning around. Wait for the big show.
3. Reusable rockets
In the past, space exploration was extremely expensive and inefficient. A single launch costs one to three hundred million U.S. dollars, but it can only fly once, and then it falls freely into the earth’s atmosphere and burns. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and United Launch Alliance are changing the rules of the game. They are developing precision and maneuverable rockets that can land safely. 3D printed rocket components, LNG rocket fuel alternatives, these can also reduce costs. Soon, rockets will be able to be reused and space travel will be easier to afford.
4. Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are not New concept, but it is bound to completely change the world in five years. AR augmented reality, and VR lets us forget about it. Together, the two opened up the world of surrealism, the Internet and the Internet of Things; the Internet of experiences, a new industry, is coming. According to MagicLeap’s recent survey, the output value of the VR/AR industry will reach 150 billion U.S. dollars in 2020. With the improvement of VR/AR technology and the increase of user-accessible content, the human experience of science and technology will be permanently changed.
5. Rapid adaptation of renewable energy
Next year, Buffalo and SolarCity Gigafactory in New York will be able to produce daily Put 10,000 solar panels. This will completely change the alternative energy industry, and solar energy will be more affordable for mankind. The renewable energy industry will attract companies and governments from all over the world, who are working hard to solve the global energy crisis. For example, China has proposed a US$50 trillion global energy grid by 2050, which is a global technology for the rapid and efficient production of renewable energy.
6. Large scale desalination
Desalination is not a new concept, but because of its high cost Very difficult. The Israeli company Sorek has built the world’s largest desalination plant, which can produce 627,000 cubic meters of fresh water per day. In one year, 50% of Israel’s water is expected to come from desalination. Sorek proved that large-scale desalination is feasible. This innovation can solve the drought in California and even the global water crisis.
7. Ridiculously fast internet
The days of dial-up modems are gone, and the Internet has become our daily life A majority. But innovation is still in progress, Google’s Loon Balloon is an example.
Google Fiber provides a network with speeds of up to 1 Gbit/s (100 times faster than ordinary WiFi), and it is spreading all over the United States. Li-Fi uses visible light communication, and the data transmission speed can reach 224 Gbit/s. This technical concept has matured. Even WiFi is becoming energy-efficient, which can save 1000 times the energy. Soon, the topic of Internet connectivity will become a thing of the past, and the “Internet of Things” will connect home devices, wearable sensors and other technologies.
8. Online DNA analysis
“Here is an app that can do what”, very It will soon be replaced by “You have DNA that can explain this problem.” By next year or so, Helix, Illumina, and Veritas Genetics will allow us to analyze our genes online, understand our propensity to acquire certain diseases, and even explain why some of us prefer sweets to others. All of this is part of the effort to democratize genomic data so that individuals can understand their health. Consumer genetics will be a revolutionary business model that allows people to pay a small amount of money to learn more about themselves.
9. Immune system engineering
We are getting closer and closer to the cure of cancer. Leave it to history. This is not an exaggeration. Companies such as Cellectis, Juno Therapeutics and Novartis are using gene editing and immunotherapy to save lives. In the next one to two years, diseases such as cancer, multiple sclerosis and AIDS are expected to be treated through the engineered immune system. Genetically engineered immune cells, such as T cells designed to destroy cancer cells, will save countless lives.
We are on the verge of solving the most important problem in human history. The next “big thing” will only bring a “bigger thing”, because innovation never stops. It’s time to get involved. Provide funding and support to creative people. The potential is limitless.