'Tipping Point'? Could 2015 be the year of domestic robots and 3D printed food?
Could 2015 be the year of domestic robots and
3D printed food? Futurologist claims technology has reached a 'tipping point'
- Comments were made
by London-based futurologist Dr James Bellini
- He says more people
will opt for mobile phone-controlled smart devices
- Many of these
devices will be home-based, such as smart thermostats
- Domestic robots are
the product people are most looking forward to
- Dr Bellini added
that we were beginning to see the phasing out of 'traditional'
technologies, such as the TV set and landline phones
A smart home full of devices connected to each other, as
well as domestic robots are closer than we think, according to one
futurologist.
This year has seen a rush in the popularity of smart
gadgets, with items like 3D printers and smart thermostats making it onto
Christmas lists for the first time.
The trend is a sign of the way technology will accelerate
in 2015, according to London-based futurologist Dr James Bellini.
'The centrepiece of our future is the British home, which is rapidly becoming the digital hub for our increasingly connected lives,' he said.
'Our homes are set to be enriched further by energy; from
high-tech gadgets and appliances to smart devices.'
Dr Bellini was commenting on the release of a report by
energy company SSE, which showed that the average home was transforming, as
consumer buying habits changed.
The Home of the Future report found that in 2015, the
most wanted products will be 3D printers, followed by smart devices that
connect to our phones - primarily thermostats and security systems, as well as
solar-powered chargers.
Future
of food? 3D printers such as Foodini (pictured) could change the way we prepare
our meals. They are set to become more mainstream, according to a recent study
3D printing is a technology moving further into the mainstream, with the first artificial limbs created from 3D printers being used on patients this year.
Not only are the devices now on sale in retailers, but
there are multiple mobile apps that enable users to create and buy figures and
toys that are printed in 3D.
'3D has been described as the biggest economic revolution
since Henry Ford introduced production line manufacturing in the 1900s,' Dr
Bellini said.
'Nasa already use it to turn out rocket parts; they are
also developing ways to deploy 3D technology to produce on-board meals for the
manned Mars missions planned for 2030 and beyond.
'At the domestic level, 3D printing will mimic the
take-up of fax machines and microwaves in the 1980s.
'The cost of a printer is falling rapidly - a starter
version sells for less than £500 ($777) - and they are incredibly versatile.
'Printing a new smartphone case takes about 30 minutes -
then there are toys, handles, chess pieces, replacements parts for every
domestic gadget.
'Then there's food.
'Nutritionists are looking at ways of printing food items
for the elderly to match individual nutritional/dietary needs.
'And although it's early days for 3D printed pizzas and
chocolate, it won't be long before every home has gone 3D.'
SSE's report also found that one of the products people
were most looking forward to having in their home were domestic robots, with 26
per cent of those surveyed highlighting humanoids as a desirable product in
years to come.
Technology giant Honda already has a domestic robot,
Asimo, who can remember faces and serve drinks, and made its first appearance
in Europe this year.
As the number of smartphones and tablets around the home
grows, Dr Bellini said we were beginning to see the phasing out of
'traditional' technologies, such as the TV set, as well as landline phones and
older portable devices.
'2014 was the tipping point, with the total number of
old-style TV sets in the UK declining for the first time ever,' he said.
'We're seeing more people increasingly watch TV shows and movies, as well as playing games on tablets and other devices.'
He added, 'Nostalgia is being overtaken by digital
practicalities.
'In the mobile age, fixed-line phones are about as
relevant as sand-filled egg-timers.
'According to a recent Ofcom study, it is a highly
generational thing.
'A third of 16 to 24-year-olds and 26 per cent of 25 to
34-year-olds live in mobile-only homes.
'For the over-75s, the figure is just one per cent.'
Major technology brands have also spoken of the growing
influence of the 'Internet of Things'; the idea that eventually all the devices
and appliances in the home will be connected together via the web, and
controlled from a single device.
Samsung UK president Andy Griffiths said earlier this
year: 'There has been a huge change in the way the connected world is
established, and so to take that forward 10 years it's interesting to note that
the main trend we believe by then will be the connected home.'
SCIENTISTS CREATE THE WORLD'S FIRST ROBOT THAT READS EMOTIONS
Earlier
this year, Tokyo firm Softbank unveiled a robot called Pepper, which can read
emotions
In a country dominated by 'kawaii' - or cute culture -
Japan has embraced the rise of cuddly robots.
Earlier this year, one Tokyo-based firm has unveiled what
it believes to be the world's first droid that can read human emotions.
Mobile carrier Softbank said its robot, named Pepper,
will go on sale in Japan in February for 198,000 yen (£1,130 or $1,900).
The machine, which has no legs, but has gesticulating
hands appeared on a stage in a Tokyo suburb, cooing and humming.
Pepper uses an 'emotional engine' and a cloud-based
artificial intelligence to study gestures, expressions and human speech tones.
The 48-inch (121 cm) tall, 62 lb (28 kg) white Pepper has
no hair, but two large doll-like eyes and a flat-panel display stuck on its
chest.
It was developed jointly with Aldebaran Robotics, which
designs, produces and sells autonomous humanoid robots.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2886424/Could-2015-year-domestic-robots-3D-printed-food.html
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