1.Mobile Internet
Inexpensive, capable mobile computing devices and Internet connectivity are already beneficialto a wide spectrum of areas with their disruptive technology. One of these is the treatment of chronic diseases through remote health monitoring. Another is mobile banking platforms that are known to have already producedradical changes inUganda and other African countries.
2. Automation of knowledge work
•More intelligent software systems performing knowledge work tasks. In an interview with McKinsey, Eric Schmidt, executive chairman of Google, referred to the radical changes these intelligent software systems will bring to us and the way we connect with the computer, viewing the brighter side, calling them “command-and-control interfaces” giving basic tasks as if training a dog, making this automation a friend. Perhaps man’s new best friend?
3. Internet of Things (IoT)
1.Labeled by Kevin Ashton in 2009
2.Refers to uniquely identifiable objects and their virtual representations in an Internet-like structure.
3.Equips all objects in the world with minuscule identifying devices or machine-readable identifiers, transforming daily life.
4.Interconnected in networks of low cost sensors and actuators for data collection, monitoring, decision making and process optimization. Can be used in manufacturing, health care and mining.
5.May represent a real security threat.
4. Advanced Robotics
•A promising disruptive technology.
•Corresponds to increasingly capable robots or robotic tools, with enhanced “senses,” dexterity, and intelligence.
•They can perform tasks once thought too delicate or uneconomical to automate, bringing positive benefits to society, such as non-invasive surgical systems, robotic prosthetics and “exoskeletons”, restoring functions for amputees and the elderly, among others.
5. The Cloud!
Use of computer hardware and software resources to deliver services over the Internet or a network is already there as we all know, and developing at fast speed.
6. Autonomous or Near-Autonomous Vehicles
Vehicles that can navigate and operate autonomously or semi-autonomously in many situations, using advanced sensors like LIDAR, and systems of communication from machine to machines. In an article published inTime Magazine in 2013 Chris Anderson cites some of the new applications of these advanced robotics devices, speaking about the new uses of drones:
•Examples:. Drones.Itis not only for the military, but for farmers as well.
•Used to perform crop surveys and field analysis. They can automatically survey crops every morning”. (…)
•Used also to scan buildings, sending them on automatic spirals around the scene to stitch hundreds of pictures into high-resolution 3D maps.
•*LIDAR-Light Detection and Ranging—is a remote sensing method used to examine the surface of the Earth.
7. Next-generation Genomics
•Advances in genomics combines both the science used for imaging nucleotide base pairs (the units that make up DNA) with rapidly advancing computational and analytic capabilities.
•Knowing the genomic structure of humans, it will be possible to manipulate genes and improve health diagnostics and treatments. Next-generation genomics knowledge can be extended to a better understanding of plants and animals, that can radically improve agriculture.
•“The biggest disruption that we don’t really know what’s going to happen is probably in the genetics area. The ability to have personal genetics records and the ability to start gathering all of the gene sequencing into places will yield discoveries in cancer treatment and diagnostics over the next year that that are unfathomably important.” (Eric Schmidt, 2013).
*This map is a genomic map of a Moroccan family with Zellweger Syndrome
8. Next generation Storage
•Energy-storage devices or physical systems store energy for later use. These technologies, such as lithium-ion batteries and fuel cells, already power electric and hybrid vehicles, along with billions of portable consumer electronics. Over the coming decade, advancing energy-storage technology could make electric vehicles cost competitive, bring electricity to remote areas of developing countries, and improve the efficiency of the utility grid. There are calculations that state that 40 to 100 percent of vehicles in 2025 can be electric or hybrid.
9. 3D Printing
•Manufacturing techniques that create objects by printing successive layers of material using digital models might become more accessible to the common person due to the 3D Printers. Consumers use of 3D printing could make them save a lot of money in cost per printed product, while allowing the customer to his or her own personalized customization. It can also be used in bioprintingof tissue and organs, direct product manufacturing, tool and mold manufacturing. With a 3D printer you can essentially build your own thing. Another interesting aspects is the new materials that can be used in 3D printers, which have all sorts of new properties which have shown great promise as a Disruptive Technology.
10. Advanced Materials
•Materials that have superior characteristics such as better strength and conductivity or enhanced functionality such as memory or self healing capabilities, will bring various benefits to a widespread of different industries through Disruptive Technology.
11. Advanced Oil and Gas Exploration and Recovery
•Advances in exploration and recovery techniques that enables extraction of additional oil and gas.
12. Renewable Electricity
•Generation of electricity from renewable sources, such as the sun and the wind, will reduce harmful climate impact. Its component technologies are photovoltaic cells, wind turbines, concentrated solar power, hydroelectric, ocean-wave power and geothermal energy.
Thanks for reading.
Source: Disruptive technology
Prof. Benitez-Rexach