The 21st century is starting to resemble a sci-fi novel with driverless taxis, generative AI, and plans for Mars colonization. Many technological advances have been inspired by science fiction, as seen with Daniel Smalley’s hologram research at Brigham Young University, inspired by “Star Wars” and “Star Trek.”
“Star Wars” has influenced advancements in advanced prosthetics, robotics, AI, laser technology, and space exploration. NASA’s humanoid robot, R2, is inspired by the droids in the franchise.
“Star Trek” has inspired mobile phones, tablets, 3D printing, and holograms. Martin Cooper created the first cellphone after seeing Captain Kirk’s communicator on the show. Smalley’s lab is working on recreating the holodeck from “Star Trek” in an immersive virtual reality system.
“Dune” has influenced research on terraforming Mars, inspired by the novel’s ecological themes. Gary King at Louisiana State University is working on introducing oxygen to Mars’ atmosphere with photosynthesizing bacteria. “Voice” in “Dune” has inspired research on weaponized acoustic transducers at Cambridge University, with potential applications in manipulating sound.
Overall, science fiction has played a significant role in inspiring and shaping technological advancements in the modern world. The impact of fictional works on the real world highlights the power of storytelling and imagination in driving innovation and progress.
Source
Photo credit www.deseret.com