We aren’t even halfway through, and already 2016 has been a year full of incredible technological advancements, and amazing new inventions. Creators, inventors, innovators and dreamers throughout the world have been producing things that would’ve seemed impossible only a few years back. Here are seven inventions from this year that will absolutely blow your mind.
1. The Pilot: Smart Earpiece Language Translator
This earpiece by Waverly Labs can translate between languages, enabling real-time conversation between two people speaking different languages. For example, two people speaking English and Spanish could speak to each other, and hear the translated words of the other person in their own language through the earpiece. “Imagine a world without language barriers!”
2. Virtual Reality
This technology can virtually transport you to any location, at any time through usage of a three-dimensional computer generated environment. Users can interact with and explore this virtual environment and manipulate objects to create a sensory experience very similar to that of real life.
3. Google Self-Driving Car
Google is working on building cars that can drive themselves. Yes, you heard that right! These cars will be able to take passengers to a desired location at the push of the button, and can dramatically help to reduce the amount traffic accidents. These cars could help make our roads safer, and could give those who can't drive due to age, disabilities, injuries or health conditions the freedom to travel independently.
4. AirCarbon
Instead of using fossil fuels in the plastic creation process, Newlight Technologies has invented a way to use the methane-based carbon that would otherwise be put out into the air we breathe, to create a sustainable plastic called AirCarbon. This plastic actually costs less than oil-based plastics, and helps the environment by reducing our carbon footprint in the process. "Plastic from thin air!"
5. The DEKA Arm
This arm is the first prosthesis to make actions like opening the hand while rotating the wrist possible, and is nearly as dexterous as a real arm. Inside the arm, there is a computer that connects to electrodes on the skin which interprets and translates muscle contractions into motion.
These gloves have sensors that record and translate American Sign Language into speech that is played through a speaker, allowing those who use ASL to easily communicate with the rest of the world. These gloves can help to narrow the divide between deaf and hearing cultures, and make translation quicker and easier than ever before.
7. Airbus E-Fan
This all-electric plane allows for up to 75 minutes of fly-time powered entirely off of batteries. An incredible innovation that makes eco-friendly air travel a reality.
