What is the next of “tech”?
We have already heard and read about 5G, AI, VR & AR, Cloud computing, and smart mobility almost every day. Also, we are already using these technologies. Our brand new smartphones are connected to 5G. AI sounds like a classical thing already. Is there anyone who has not used VR or AR so far? All of us have our own cloud account in Apple, Google, Microsoft, or Amazon. Smart mobility is yet to fully realized, but the concept is already rhetoric to us. Then what else? I want to talk about other future things in the tech industry, which are not friendly but powerful enough to truly change the world.
The first one is quantum computing, although it is super uncertain when we can use it in our real lives.(https://www.wired.co.uk/article/quantum-computing-explained) Quantum computing is a future technology, per se. It can decipher RSA encryption, applied to most of the e-commerce business, just in one minute, compared to 3,300 years by a current supercomputer. This superfast computing can be used in diverse industries like pharmacy, logistics, and bio businesses and improve them into another level. This technology is researched not only by traditional giant tech companies, like IBM, Intel, and Google, but also by new small companies like D-Wave and IonQ.
It is still uncertain when we can use quantum computing in our lives, but we can experience a little bit of this technology on the IBM website. (https://quantum-computing.ibm.com/)
The second one is collaborative robots. These robots optimize processes by themselves by using/combining sensor technology and AI. Yes, we can think of it as one of the practical usages of AI, rather than an AI that plays a chess game with the world champion. Current robots just execute given orders repeatedly. However, collaborative robots can learn by itself, as machine learning does, and find out a way to improve the process. Also, it means that humans will interact with robots in the future rather than just give orders to robots. It can lead industries to another level. Already, diverse companies offer collaborative robots at a basic level. (https://roboticsbiz.com/top-collaborative-robots-companies-to-watch-out-in-2020/)
The third one is an edge computing. This technology is beyond cloud computing, so to say, the next step of cloud computing. In cloud computing, simply, a complicated calculation only happens at the back-end level. The front-end only shows the results. However, in edge computing, calculations also occur in the front-end. By distributing calculation, tasks could be completed faster in this way. More specifically, in 5G technology, 5G MEC(Multi-access Edge Computing) can reduce a delay time dramatically, by installing separated edge computing servers. Simply, it has hierarchized servers in one system. In this hierarchy, designing a program/algorithm that distributes data to the most suitable server becomes essential. You can learn more about MEC here. (https://www.verizon.com/business/learn/edge-computing/multi-access-edge-computing-5g-fueling-next-breakthrough-business/)
The fourth one is the low earth orbit(LEO) satellite communications system. Common Geostationary orbit(GEO) satellites are anchored at a certain location, so they circle around the earth once a day. On the contrary, the low orbit satellite, LEO, circles around the earth once in one and a half hours. The LEO can provide 5G communications even above the ocean. So to say, LEO makes it possible to provide internet services everywhere on the earth. Also, because it is closer to the surface of the earth, it has a shorter delay time than common satellites. IoT, smart mobility, cloud, and edge computing, and so on. Almost every future ICT business can get benefits from this technology. Actually, LEO is not a brand new concept. It appeared decades ago but failed due to high costs. These days, thanks to improved efficiency in terms of cost, LEO could arise as a new alternative measure to provide internet services everywhere. You can find more resources from NASA webpages. (https://www.nasa.gov/leo-economy/low-earth-orbit-economy)
