Four big technologies to watch out for in 2017

As 2016 draws to a close, we can’t help but notice that the year has been full of technological advancements. In the past 12 months, we have seen the rise of virtual and augmented reality, advancements in automation, machine learning and artificial intelligence as well as increased uptake of the block chain technology.

2016 even brought about reusable rockets and robots that can figure out things on their own and share their newly acquired knowledge with other robots. Despite all the technological advancement witnessed in 2016, there’s always something new on the horizon. No doubt that the coming year holds more promise for the tech scene. Below, we bring you a list of some of the biggest technologies to watch out for in 2017.

Vehicle-to-vehicle communication

The auto industry is working towards fully autonomous vehicles. One key technology that is required for fully autonomous vehicles in vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication. 2017 may see various auto companies launch models with V2V communication systems, allowing vehicles to share driving information with other vehicles, such as speed, emergency braking or intention to turn or switch lanes.

This will make driving safer by increasing driver awareness of what’s beyond their field of view. This technology will also be key to ‘platooning’, which allows groups of vehicles to drive close together at a constant high speed, without risk of slowdowns or accidents.

Better smart-home tech

Despite all the hype over the years about the Internet-of-Things (IOT) and the resultant smart home technology, we are yet to live in smart, interconnected homes where everything in our homes – from window curtains to lights, doors, AC and even kitchen appliances –can be controlled from our smartphones.

The holdup steps from too much competition and too little collaboration. While there are numerous smart appliances on the market, what lacks is a single platform to tie everything together into a seamless experience. However, with big companies like Google, Apple and Amazon jumping into the smart home bandwagon, 2017 could be the year when the smart home goes mainstream.

Everything on demand

The rise of apps like Uber has led to people getting used to the idea of having everything on demand through their smartphones. Already, there is a multitude of apps that allow us to get various products and services on demand, from rides and food deliveries to places to stay for the night.

In the coming year, this might develop even further and venture into even stranger territory. Just know that in 2017, much of what you want will be available to you on demand via your smartphone.

The first human head transplant?

Dr. Sergio Canavero, a controversial Italian neurosurgeon has been preparing himself to perform a human head transplant. He has set December 2017 as the date for the surgery. Already, he has a volunteer in the form of Valery Spiridonov, a Russian computer scientist suffering from severe muscle atrophy, which has confined him to a wheelchair.

While the procedure sounds gruesome, Dr. Canavero says the technology required to make the surgery a success is already available. Will the process be a success? And what will it mean for humanity? We can only wait and see.