Technology trends 2016

Technology Trends 2016: With the New Year fast approaching, we highlight the big technology trends you just can’t ignore in 2016.

Machine Learning & Deep Neural Nets

Practical applications of Artificial Intelligence have always depended on the availability of machines to learn from their environment without a pre-programmed set of directions. Up until recently, Machine Learning was based on a human operator feeding the computer a huge number of examples, and manually correcting recognition mistakes. This is how Kinect initially learnt to recognize different body parts.

However, recent developments in Deep Neural Networks (DNN) go one step further by removing human interference almost altogether, replicating the way brain cells interact and communicate organically. It already has had major successes in speech recognition, computer vision, and natural language processing, with Apple’s Siri for example being based on DNNs.

DNNs are less than a decade old, but are making increasing strides. Google’s self-driving car is one of the most hyped about applications of DNN.

2016 could be the year where medicine gets its biggest boost from DNNs. Companies like Insilico Medicine go through massive datasets of drug companies, aiming to find already-existing drugs that can be repurposed for a different use. Other applications include software tools that help doctors correctly diagnose a patient. It is based on the analysis of the pattern of reported symptoms – this simple application could help reduce the number of patients which fail to have their cancer spotted in the crucial early stages. 

Technology Trends 2016: Virtual Reality (VR)

In 2016, technology fans will be rewarded when Oculus VR, a company specializing in the virtual reality, will release its long-awaited debut product – Oculus Rift, a set of virtual reality glasses. These are some of the most anticipated technology trends 2016 has to offer. Inside the glasses are two different lenses – one for each of the user’s eye. The glasses cover the user’s entire field of view, and turning the head during the simulation results in changes to the virtual environment, giving a true feeling of immersion.

Oculus Rift -glasses have already been published as a beta version (Development Kit) for gaming and apps developers, and have had great reviews so far. Compatible applications and the number of games will probably be initially limited, but the variety will certainly increase when these devices become more common. The first consumer version of Oculus Rift is to be published in the first quarter of 2016, and will focus on the world of gaming and possibly gambling.

Online gambling provider Maria Casino sees virtual reality as an interesting development in the industry. According to the Head of the Casino, Dersim Sylvan, “devices such as the Oculus Rift could offer a customer experience in the future closer to the feeling of being in a grand casino, even while users are simply seated in their living rooms”.

Virtual reality has long struggled to go past its image as a gimmick unfit for the mass market. The technology trends 2016 is set to be remembered by could change this image forever.

Quantum Computers

Rather than store information as 0s or 1s as conventional computers do, a quantum computer uses qubits – which can be a 1 or a 0 or both at the same time. This quantum superposition ensures that computers make large calculations simultaneously. This will make them, in theory at least, much more powerful than regular computers. But, in practice, quantum computing has often struggled with scalability.

The most advanced quantum computer currently operating is the 1000-qubit D-Wave 2X quantum computer. Tech trends, or technology trends.It is still some way off from being a commercially-viable alternative to the regular computer: for example, its processor needs to operate at -272°C (only a fraction above absolute zero). Technology trends 2016: It is shielded to 50,000 times less than Earth’s magnetic field, and operates at a pressure 10 billion times lower than atmospheric pressure.

Nonetheless, Google’s research team has recently announced that it has measured its D-Wave 2x quantum computer to be able to answer certain algorithms with an amazing 100-million-fold speed vs regular computers.

If 2016 proves to be the year when “Schrödinger’s Computer” becomes a practical reality, the implications for the technology world will be massive. 2016 tech trends and digital trends 2016 will be worth keeping an eye on.

Infinite amounts of storage and processing power will mean instantaneous problem-solving for almost all computational problems. The famously-difficult problem of the “travelling salesman” which makes logistics and distribution difficult to handle even by super-computers would be solved in one go. Artificial intelligence would also get a massive boost.

Technology Trends 2016 3D Printing

3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) has developed rapidly, and it is already possible to use materials such as carbon fiber, glass and biological materials as part of the manufacturing process. Each year sees 3D printing coming closer to being a reality in a range of applications, and 2016 should see further cost reduction in the technology.

One of the places where the use of this technology has really shown promise has been in the field of medicine where it is now possible, among other things, to print prostheses. This particular application starts with Mick Ebeling, who travelled to Sudan in 2013 and found 14-year-old Daniel, who had lost both arms in the war. He created a 3D-printed prosthetic arm for Daniel. Technology trends 2016 and other organizations, most noticeably Limbitless Solutions have since pushed the field of additive manufacturing as solutions to disabilities further along.

Companies like Tesla already use 3D printing to build engine parts, and SpaceX uses the technology to produce rocket parts. In 2016, additive manufacturing will continue to see its use extended to several sectors in particular the military, aerospace and medical industries.

2016 Tech Trends: Robotics

Robots taking over the human world is one of science-fiction’s favourite themes. However, we don’t have to worry – at least for now – because according to experts, humanoids are still decades away.

Internet giant Amazon is one of the most advanced companies in terms of automation. It has developed robots that are much more adaptable than those that have long been used in the car manufacturing process. It has robots able to handle flexible tasks, such as automatically picking-up goods from the shelves, or able to carry the goods to pre-determined spots in the warehouse. 2016 tech trends.

The real excitement comes from robots being developed for leisure and entertainment purposes. Jibo has been marketed as “The World’s First Social Robot for Home” and is intended as a dynamic part of family life. Digital trends 2016, and Technology trends 2016. In practice, Jibo is able to socialise among the people, joke, and answer simple questions. Developed by Soft Bank, a robot called Pepper is an “emotional robot”, which is to be able to read people’s emotions by observing their facial expressions and gestures, and then responding to them accordingly.

While robots as a functioning part of society still seem to be a distant reality, technological development is taking huge strides in accelerating the pace of change. 2016 could be the year when Google finally reveals what it has been doing with its investment in a string of robotic firms that started two years ago.

Lifestyle Networks

It is estimated that 34 % of people already participate in various forms of the sharing economy (such as Airbnb, Uber, bike-sharing, person-to-person loans etc.), the most recent developments in what has been labelled lifestyle network effects. These digital trends 2016 are still growing. Crowd intelligence is another example of a lifestyle network effect, with 38 % considering user reviews to be better than expert reviews when purchasing new things or booking holidays.

Technology Trends 2016

In 2016, lifestyle network effects could go one step further, where companies will start to openly rate and review their consumers. Some of it is already in place: on Uber for example, the driver can rate you as a customer if you behave in a nasty nature (don’t pay, don’t show up or are rude): they can alert other drivers to avoid you as a customer. Tech trends, or technology trends are important to keep abreast with.The same works for Airbnb hosts who rate the person who has stayed in their home.

Future developments may include airports starting to rate people based on their behavior, like drinking excessively on the plane and causing disturbance. Social media managers could rate your comment to them (for better and for worse, of course), depending on how useful it was, in order to build up a database of internet ‘trolls’.