Over the past 10 years, technology has been advancing so quickly that it's almost hard to keep up with all of the great new inventions out there. From smartphones that can test your blood for disease, to self-driving cars, sometimes it really does seem like we're living in the future. So, I've compiled a list of 10 new inventions that I think say a lot about where our future is headed. Enjoy!
1. Naked 3D Fitness Tracker
The Naked 3D Fitness Tracker is essentially a mirror that shows how your body changes over time. It tracks muscle growth and fat loss by scanning your body and calculating body fat percentage, body measurements and weight. So,with this new invention you can actually see the difference in your body. Everyone knows how hard it is to really see your own body's progress since we see ourselves everyday. Now, we will be able to keep tabs on our bodies like never before. Check out all the specs for the Naked 3D Fitness Tracker!
2. Fontus self-filling water bottle
Fontus is a start-up company based out of Vienna, Austria, and they have created the world's first self-filling water bottle. The bottle is designed to capture the moisture in the air, condense it and store it as safe drinking water. It is solar powered and can harvest up to 0.8L of water per hour, under the right climactic conditions. With this new technology, hikers and cyclists will no longer have to worry about running out of water in the middle of nowhere because the bottle constantly refills itself. The possibilities for this technology are endless and could really change the game as far as getting water to people in need. Fontus aims to use this technology to help regions that do not have a reliable source of clean drinking water.
3. The Pilot
The Pilot is a new technology that aims to break the language barrier. It is an earpiece translator that allows two people who speak different languages to communicate with one another in real-time. It automatically translates what one person is saying into the other person's ear. The technology is supposed to be much more advanced than a regular, literal translator. So, it will be possible to actually hold a conversation with someone who speaks a totally different language. Sounds like a game-changer to me.
4. iLEV: Smartphone blood test
Though the iLEV is still a work in progress, it is amazing that it will soon be possible to run a blood test with a smartphone. The iLEV will be able to test blood and give the same, if not more, information than a blood test at the doctor's office.
5. Oculus Rift
Since, they're already on the market, almost everyone has probably heart of these virtual reality headsets, but have we really grasped the concept of this new technology? The fact that we can put on a headset and be totally immersed into a different world is absolutely mind-blowing. It's now possible to "spend time with your friends" in virtual reality. So, you're not actually with your friends, but seeing a digital version of them through your headset. Amazing. Get more details on Oculus Rift, here!
6. iFetch
The iFetch is a new invention that actually plays fetch with your dog, so you don't have to. It's an automatic ball launcher that can keep your dog busy while you're away. As long as the dog brings the ball back and drops it into the iFetch, it will continue to launch the ball.
7. Jet Pack International H2O2
It turns out, jet packs actually do exist. The Jet Pack International H2O2 can go up to 120FT in the air and up to 70mph. However, the maximum flight time is only about 23 seconds, and it will cost you about $100,000. Plus, you have to undergo extensive flight training to even be eligible to purchase one. So, it may still be a little far off before we're all able to zoom around with our jet packs, but it's still pretty cool.
8. Foodini
The Foodini is a new technology that allows us to 3D print real, nutritious food. Foodini was created by a company called Natural Machines with the intention of making it easier for people to prepare healthy meals. It's purpose is to take the hard part out of cooking and cut down the time it takes to make those healthy meals.
9. Google's Self Driving Car
The self-driving car is designed to take you wherever you want to go with the push of a button, and without doing any driving. The cars have sensors that detect objects up to 200 yards away in all directions. It can detect anything from cyclists on the road, to flying shopping bags. By using maps and sensor information, it can determine exactly where it is in the world down to which road lane it's in. It even nudges over for cyclists and pedestrians. The idea of not being in control of the vehicle may seem a bit scary to a lot of people, but with today's advanced technology, it seems these driverless cars may be the way of the future. The cars would allow people with disabilities that prevent them from driving to regain their independence and be able to go places without the help of others. By taking out the possibility of human error, deaths from car accidents could be greatly reduced. Also, people could spend much less time driving and more time doing the things they want. Google has already self-driven over 1.5 million miles with their testing fleet and are currently being driven on the streets of Mountain View, CA, Austin, TX, Kirkland, WA, and Metro Phoenix, AZ.
10. Amazon Dash Button
The Amazon Dash button allows us to order groceries and other items with the press of a button. When you press the button of the item that you need, Amazon automatically orders that item and sends it your way. There are now over 100 brands of different items the button can bring. So, now you can order your dog food, cat litter, laundry detergent and even milk, by pressing one button. Sounds good to me.
