Emerging technologies, also known as converging technologies, refer to the emergence and combination of new innovations with great potential to become disruptive forces in various sectors. These modern technologies have the power to radically change the way we live and produce, offering greater ease and security to carry out everyday tasks. These are developing innovations that, in the near future, can transform our reality.
A Look at Emerging Technologies
The concept of emerging technologies encompasses a wide spectrum of innovations that range from technological alternatives to more sophisticated advances that arise from the convergence of different branches of research. When talking about these technologies, emphasis is placed on their ability to provide current and effective solutions to the challenges we face in society.
Among the techniques most representative of this phenomenon are: computing and networks, quantum cables, photosynthetic bacteria created by genetic engineering, the semantic Web, Web 3.0, 3D printing, remote sensing, flexible screens, biotechnology, robotics, artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and neuroscience. Not only do these technologies present important technical and economic potential, but they can also modify entire sectors of the industry, and even create new markets, which classifies them as disruptive technologies.
The Information Revolution
Important academic and technical publications agree that the generation, dissemination and analysis of digital information have become fundamental drivers of technological change. The so-called fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0, represents true social change, driven not by steam or electricity, but by data. This new paradigm is characterized by the fusion of the physical and digital worlds.
The change is based on the adoption of new technologies that promote the automation of production processes. Thus, terms such as additive manufacturing, collaborative robotics, production planning tools, artificial vision, virtual reality, gamification, process simulation, operational intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) emerge, in addition to key enabling technologies (KET, for its acronym in English).
A Future of Smart Factories
What the future holds for us is an era of intelligent factories that will integrate the physical and virtual worlds. In this new ecosystem, manufacturers and machines will share information with the supply chain, allowing processes to be automatically optimized and self-configurable. Artificial intelligence is expected to play a crucial role in carrying out complex tasks based on intricate workflows.
In addition, manufacturing on demand for custom prototypes and short-run productions is becoming one of the fastest-growing sectors, thanks to advances in additive manufacturing.
The need for adequate infrastructure
This technological advance also brings with it the need to have systems that manage broadband information and the infrastructures necessary for information technologies, as well as optimized buildings and traffic systems.
In conclusion, emerging technologies not only promise to revolutionize the way we live and work, but they also pose challenges and opportunities that demand constant adaptation. Understanding and adopting these technologies become a priority to face the future effectively.
