What will life be like in the year 2050? Thanks to rapid developments in science and technology, there are few limits to what we might see. I’ve put together this list of some of the most exciting technologies that are being developed right now and could have a massive impact on how we live our lives in just 38 years’ time…
Cars that fly
Flying cars are no longer a futuristic fantasy. Recently, Uber revealed that they’ve been working on flying car technology; as soon as 2020 we may have flying cars that can transport us around cities. There are also a number of different prototypes including one at MIT that resembles a massive drone-like hovering robot (that looks like something out of Blade Runner) with passenger seats. Don’t worry just yet though — these early models might not look quite like your ideal design or have all of their kinks worked out just yet but we aren’t too far off from seeing them become an everyday sight in major cities.
Robots that cook
If you haven’t heard of these devices yet, you will soon. A prototype has already been developed that can create a four-course meal (pizza included) in just 30 minutes. With easy-to-use settings for beginners and advanced options for experts, these handy robots allow anyone to make restaurant quality food at home. It might take some time before they hit store shelves—but you can be sure there will be a line out of your local supermarket when they do!
Super fast transport
Self-driving vehicles are on our roads right now (although not in New York City), but these new transport systems will take them to another level. Cars will be able to travel at such fast speeds that you’ll be able to read a book or watch TV on your way from Manhattan to Brooklyn. This super-fast system will also have much less impact on global warming than other forms of transport because cars won’t need to idle and burn fuel between trips. As a result, long-distance road trips are going to become an easy option for even occasional car users. Flights over longer distances—overseas for example—will disappear altogether as transport becomes so efficient that traveling via plane won’t make sense any more.
Seamless connections with technology
People in 2050 may or may not have bionic organs they can control with their minds. They might be able to walk around with video-meeting glasses on every day of their lives. However, what almost all of them will have—and be deeply dependent on—is seamless connection with technology. Think about how much time you spend talking on your cell phone or sending emails when you’re away from home (or work). Your grandchildren may never live more than five minutes from access to information that lets them do things like book a taxi ride to an international airport or do their schoolwork via Skype. They won’t even think about these activities as special or unusual; for them, that’s just how life will always be.
Cities built for humans
By 2050, we’ll have reached a point where most global industries will have to function in an entirely sustainable manner. Cities will rely on local produce from urban farms rather than fly food in from other continents. You might not think about pollution when you drive your car today, but in fifty years cars (or their offspring) will no longer use fossil fuels and we’ll need to make sure they’re made of recycled materials. Electricity generation will be renewable—the only source of power left on Earth—and if there’s one thing that can be said for our near-future it’s that renewable energy is getting really damn cheap.
Sustainability is king
As we approach 2050, sustainability will become even more important than ever. People are realizing just how much of an impact humans have on our environment. The dawn of climate change means everyone has to start playing a part in keeping our planet thriving for years to come. Solar panels will be prevalent on houses across suburbia—and by 2050 they may be integrated into your home’s design rather than placed as an afterthought. You’ll want to take advantage of your roof space as much as possible: solar panels aren’t just good for stopping climate change—they produce energy too!
Smart homes are more than just lights and heating controls
Smart homes can incorporate features like window blinds that automatically lower when it’s bright outside. This is called smart shading, and while it might not seem particularly useful to many people at first glance, there are actually a number of benefits to installing these systems in a home. Most notably: comfort! There’s no need to manually lower your shades during a sunny day or raise them on cloudy days if you have automatic shades installed. You don’t have to worry about blocking out too much sunlight (or keeping in too much heat) for your guests when you get home either. It also makes environmental sense: lowering shades during a hot summer day not only keeps your house cool but also keeps excess energy use low by preventing heat from getting trapped inside.
