Can you imagine the world without electricity and the light bulb? Before these technological innovations, people didn’t have much choice. The day would end as soon as the sun went down because they depended on natural light.
Technological inventions have changed our lives in recent years – for the better.
Another great example that revolutionized the world is the wheel in 3500 B.C. Before this, imagine that transportation was limited to what each person was able to carry.
Then came cars, airplanes, and every year it is getting easier to move even greater distances in less time. The future promises many new things. In fact, many of them are already part of our daily lives, or are getting closer and closer.
What is technological innovation?
To understand what technological innovation is, let’s first understand what innovation is! In a popular way, it is when we propose something different that adds to the market. It is services and products designed to facilitate and contribute to society as a whole. Therefore, technological innovation is the definition cited, but related to factors involving technology.
12 examples of technological innovations that are changing the world
Broadly speaking, technological innovations are new developments that benefit a variety of companies, from the most varied segments, and end users.
Read now the examples of technological innovations available worldwide.
1. Social Networking via Internet
It was in the 1990s, with the availability of the internet, that the idea of social networking went virtual. Nowadays, it seems impossible to think of a world away from social networks, such as Facebook, Instagram, Linkedin, Twitter, Youtube etc.
Through social networks, it is possible to interact with people from the most varied places in the world. You can exchange experiences, post relevant content, sell – through tools like Instagram Shopping – find groups of like-minded people, network, and much more.
2. GPS System
The Global Positioning System, which is nothing more than satellite positioning from a mobile device.
This technological innovation was created in 1973 with the objective of facilitating navigation systems. Nowadays, it is possible to find information about a certain location at any time and in any weather condition.
3. Machines capable of learning
Machine Learning is likely to be one of the technological innovations that will impact our lives the most in the coming years. It is already present in a large part of our activities, especially in the software we use for work. It is only through them that we can quickly access so much information. And, based on this data, we can make more assertive decisions.
4. Delivery Drones
Drones have become a fever, especially for personal use. The total number of devices worldwide reached around 3 million. Now, corporate drones are also expected to gain more space.
5. Virtual assistants
Another technological innovation that aims to make human life easier are virtual assistants. Through advanced technology, they are able to understand everything you say and interact with you.
More than helping you tell the weather forecast, traffic conditions, make appointments, or search for terms on the Internet, virtual assistants may in the future help you with any issue, including your health.
6. Blockchain
There was the bitcoin boom and a lot of talk about digital currencies. But now it seems that blockchain is the new darling of the moment.
Simply put, it is a decentralized network architecture that prevents the duplication of records.
It was initially created with the intention of ensuring reliable bitcoin transactions between stakeholders. But because it has so many applications, many people believe that it is one of the most promising technological innovations of the future.
With blockchain technology, transactions can be carried out without payment intermediaries and cost less.
7. 3D printing of everything
One of the most interesting technological innovations that can really change our lives is the 3D printer. In the past, these devices were gigantic and only used to print documents.
Today, you only need to be connected to a computer that has the ideal software and you will be able to print any object. Furniture, musical instruments, or even a car.
And if you think that the usefulness of the 3D printer is restricted only to objects, you have been wrong. Since one of the segments that can most take advantage of this technology is health care.
It is possible that in the not too distant future, organ transplants will disappear. For it is already possible to create prostheses adapted to each individual and even “print” organs to be used in humans. We talk more about this subject in the article on the future of medicine.
8. Payment by Face Recognition
Face recognition has evolved a lot. Have you ever noticed that when you post a photo with friends on Facebook, the system already recognizes most of them? It is not magic, but a great example of technological innovations in algorithms and artificial intelligence.
And if this advance already seems sensational, you should know that in the future our face will become a kind of “credential”. It will have functions ranging from being used to enter buildings to making payments by face recognition alone.
9. Smart wind and solar power
Many countries are looking for alternative sources of energy. The sun and wind are examples. That is, solar power and wind power. For, they are options that cause less environmental impact, as in the case of using water for this.
With Big Data and artificial intelligence, it is possible to predict how much energy wind turbines will produce. In other words, this technological innovation is essential for the development of technologies to integrate wind and solar energy into an electrical grid.
10. Online shopping
E-commerce, or electronic commerce, is sales made over the Internet. These days, shopping online has revolutionized the way we consume.
Buying without leaving home is very advantageous for the user. But it also brings benefits to the company. For, the entrepreneur sells 24 hours a day and does not have to bear the expenses of a physical space and employees, for example.
This kind of autonomy to buy is a growing trend worldwide, which technological innovation has provided!
11. Cloud Computing
Cloud computing is the possibility to access files, such as images, videos, audios, etc, remotely through a virtual network. You no longer need to save them on your notebook or desktop computer, and have restricted access only with your machine.
In other words, instead of storing documents internally, you can hire providers to do this.
In this way, you can save financial resources, increase information security, and be mobile to access documents from anywhere easily and quickly.
12. Business Intelligence (BI)
A great advance for companies is being able to analyze corporate data. Business intelligence is responsible for collecting, integrating, verifying, and presenting data.
With such information, it is possible to make more assertive decisions and have better-prepared strategies, minimizing failures and unnecessary energies.