Facial recognition payment systems: widely used now

Facial recognition systems are used in many countries to search for criminals, control access to secure facilities, and in some countries to confirm payments in online banking. Since 2014, the Chinese company Alibaba Group has been testing face recognition algorithms developed by Face++. They are going to be used to identify the person and confirm orders in the Alipay payment system. The accuracy of the algorithm has already reached 80%.

Another company that is gradually introducing facial recognition is . It uses the Selfie Pay feature, which allows you to confirm online payments with a selfie. In order for the application to take a picture, you need to nod or blink - this way the algorithm will make sure that it is a live client in front of it, and not their photo. The system is already being tested in the Netherlands, USA, Canada and EU countries. This year MasterCard promises to expand the list of countries.

Panoramic selfie: already now

The first consumer camera Panono Explorer Edition, which allows you to take photos with a 360-degree view, appeared on the market in 2015 and opened a new era in photography. After that, a lot of panoramic cameras costing up to $500 from Kodak, Samsung, Sony and other companies appeared on the market. Journalists from the world's leading publications use such cameras to shoot reports from hot spots. For example, journalists from The New York Times filmed a video from a refugee camp in Niger using a Samsung Gear 360 camera.

The 360-degree photo and video format provides an opportunity to show what is happening in the most authentic way, and in the future, perhaps, will become the standard for news materials.

Panoramic videos are already being used to create virtual reality. For example, the British alcohol manufacturer Diageo made a VR video "Decisions" warning about the dangers of driving while intoxicated.

Gene Therapy 2.0: Already Now

Photo: Steve Gschmeissner/Science Photo Library

Gene therapy is a set of biotechnological and medical methods aimed at treating diseases caused by mutations in the DNA structure or damage to DNA by viruses by editing the genetic apparatus. Gene therapy was originally seen as a cure for hereditary genetic diseases, but now researchers hope to use it to fight a wide range of diseases: Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, heart failure and cancer. In May, the European Union approved the use of gene therapy for severe combined immunodeficiency in children.

One of the most promising gene therapy technologies is CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing. This technology was discovered in 2013 as a mechanism of viral DNA bacterial immunity. Scientists call it "molecular scissors", as it allows you to cut and change sections of the DNA of any organism with high precision directly in living cells. In October, Chinese scientists conducted the world's first adult human experiment using CRISPR/Cas9 technology. Sichuan University staff injected modified T-lymphocytes into a patient with lung cancer. This is supposed to start the process of destroying cancer cells in his body.

Botnet of things: already now

In the early 2000s, hackers learned how to break into computers connected to the Internet and organize them into a network for massive attacks on a specific server. With the rise of the “Internet of Things”—low-cost plug-in cameras, printers, and scanners—hackers have increasingly targeted vulnerable smart devices. Through them, cybercriminals gain control over local area network equipment, modems, network storage, video surveillance systems, and even industrial control systems.

In September, the site of the hosting company OVH suffered a record-breaking botnet. The total power of the attacks reached 1 Tb/s, the highest power of one of them was 799 Gb/s.

Reinforcement learning: will spread in 1-2 years

Reinforcement learning-based AlphaGo beat world champion Lee Sedol in Go

Reinforcement learning is a type of machine learning in which a system learns by interacting with its environment. The most promising research in this area is conducted by the DeepMind laboratory, a division of Alphabet. In 2016, its AlphaGo program beat world champion Lee Sedol 4-1 in Go, an ancient Chinese board game long considered inaccessible to artificial intelligence.

DeepMind suggests that the prospects for reinforcement learning are much broader than gaming artificial intelligence. For example, it will allow robots to learn to walk and manipulate unfamiliar objects without prior exhaustive instructions, and unmanned vehicles to learn from each trip.

Practical quantum computer: in 4–5 years

Quantum computer D-Wave Systems.

A quantum computer is a computing device that uses the phenomena of quantum superposition and quantum entanglement to transmit and process data. The basic unit of calculation in it is a quantum bit, which, unlike a bit, can mean 1 and 0 at the same time. This allows a quantum computer to compute 100 million times faster than a standard computer.

Last May, IBM, through the IBM Quantum Experience cloud platform, opened up access to its quantum computer, which is located in a laboratory in Yorktown Heights. To date, over 40,000 users have run over 275,000 experiments using the IBM Quantum Experience. A computer processor consists of five qubits, and in the future IBM hopes to increase the power to 50 qubits. On March 6, the company announced the creation of a new division of IBM Q, which will develop a model of a quantum computer.

In addition to IBM, this year several companies at once - Google, Inte, Microsoft - as well as the Research Institute of the Netherlands and the Delft Institute of Technology promise to present practical developments in the field of quantum computing.

Neurochips for the paralyzed: in 10–15 years

A paralyzed patient plays Guitar Hero with a neurochip. Photo: Battelle Memorial Institute

In recent years, scientists have made great strides in the development of neural interfaces that restore motor functions in patients with spinal cord injuries. If in 2015 it was mainly about experiments on animals - rats and primates - now laboratories in different countries are testing new technologies on human volunteers.

In April 2016, Ohio State University and the Battel Memorial Institute made significant progress in treating a patient with quadriplegia, a paralysis of all limbs. Thanks to a microchip implanted in the motor cortex that transmits decoded signals to the muscles of the hand using electrical stimulators, he was able to re-learn how to move his fingers and even in Guitar Hero.

In the future, scientists also hope to create wireless neurochips capable of restoring neural connections in patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Self-driving trucks: 5-10 years from now

The self-driving Otto truck made its first commercial flight on October 20, 2016. Photo: Anheuser-Busch, Otto

The emergence of autonomous trucks on the roads is predicted to have a stronger and more controversial impact on society than the emergence of passenger cars. In the long term, drone technology will make freight transportation cheaper, but in the short term it will lead to a surge in unemployment. According to a White House report, there are about 1.7 million truck drivers in the US alone.

The developers suggest that the introduction of autonomous trucks will help reduce the number of accidents, since more than 90% of them are due to driver errors.

The first commercial delivery by an unmanned truck took place on December 20. It was made by Uber-owned company Otto, which develops autonomous control systems for freight transport. A driverless truck covered 200 kilometers from Fort Collins to Colorado Springs at a speed of 88 kilometers per hour and delivered 45,000 cans of Budweiser beer for the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Corporation.

Cellular atlas: after 5 years

Illustration: Genome Research Limited

An international consortium of scientists from the US, UK, Sweden, Israel, the Netherlands and Japan is about to create a detailed 3D map of human cells that for the first time visualizes what the human body is made of. To do this, it would be necessary to catalog 37.2 trillion microscopic images of human cells, identifying the molecular signature of each cell and assigning it "geographical coordinates" of location in the human body. Cell Atlas is a top priority medical research project that Mark Zuckerberg and his wife, Priscilla Chan, are investing $3 billion in. Scientists expect this project to have a significant impact on biology and medicine in the next few decades, help understand the causes of cancer and autoimmune diseases, and develop effective drugs to treat them.

Solar thermophotovoltaic batteries: in 10–15 years

Nanophotonic solar thermophotovoltaic cell. Photo: MIT

Standard silicon solar cells only capture visible light ranging from violet (380 nanometers) to red (780 nanometers) and can convert a limited amount of light into electricity. Currently, most solar panels operate at an efficiency of 20%, and, according to scientists, even in theory it cannot exceed 32%. Scientists at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) are working on the creation of a thermophotovoltaic converter (STPV), which will make it possible to obtain energy not only from light, but also from converted heat.

The element consists of several layers of carbon nanotubes that absorb heat radiation and a photonic emitter crystal that converts it into visible light and redirects it to a solar cell that converts energy into electricity. Such an installation is at least twice as efficient as conventional solar cells.

Opinion of the Vice President of GSV Asset Management

GSV Asset Management Vice President Li Jang posted his rating of technologies that will become popular in 2017 in a Medium blog. He notes that a lot of interesting projects are related to robotics, alternative energy sources and augmented reality.

Snap Spectacles video glasses are available now in Venice, California. In 2017, they will begin to spread everywhere. Glasses can succeed where Google Glass has failed.

For example, using the Snapchat product is more fun and convenient, and the device offers many user scenarios related to the app of the same name. What's more, it's been three years (billions of years in technological terms) and glasses are cool again.

9 Starship Technologies

At the end of 2016, Starship Technologies introduced its delivery robots in Washington DC and Redwood City, California. They traveled over 11.6 thousand miles and met with 1.8 million people. I hope that Ahti Heinle and his team will be able to rid us of the empire of "boxes" - large malls and shopping centers.

8. Electron (Rocket Lab)

Out in space, on humanity's last frontier, it's getting a little crowded. And while it's not a product you'll find on store shelves, the Electron rocket cuts the cost of space travel by a factor of two.

The cost of a ticket for your companion will be only $50,000. Each Electron rocket consumes less fuel than a Boeing 737 on a Los Angeles to San Francisco flight. The company has set a goal to launch at least a hundred rockets in a year. Satellites offer incredible opportunities: they can transmit an Internet signal, track changes in the weather in real time, or monitor key economic infrastructure.

7. Zipline

While the American Federal Aviation Association frightens drone manufacturers with the example of Icarus, other countries are much more supportive of the spread of drones if they can deliver medical supplies that can save a person's life. Zipline, a startup that has raised $25 million from top Silicon Valley investors, is now operating in Rwanda and other countries, dropping needed drugs.

6. Remedy

If you ever needed to urgently talk to the doctor, but you could not get through, then the time has come. 2017 will see the release of Remedy, an application that opens the door to the development of “medicine on demand” and personalized healthcare.

Thanks to information about the diagnoses and treatment of previous patients, as well as artificial intelligence, in 70% of cases Remedi can provide assistance remotely, or quickly find a doctor. Healthcare professionals benefit from the app because it helps with office work that costs US hospitals $250 billion a year, or 25% of all costs.

5 Tesla Solar

Tesla is making roofs cool again. The company offers a coating that accumulates solar energy. Over 5 million new roofs are installed annually in the US. Therefore, the installation of photosensitive elements in roofing materials helps to spread the technology of obtaining solar energy.

The goal of the company is to reduce the price of solar roofing so that it is comparable to (or even lower than) the price of a traditional one. Now Solar City products are presented in four versions:

4. Anki Cozmo

If your childhood was influenced by Star Wars and Wall-E, then you will appreciate the Anki Cozmo robot, which is already on sale. These robots are able to react to surrounding events and interact with people in a human way. The developers set themselves the task of growing a new generation of builders and designers.

3. Octane AI

Octane AI, an impressive example in the chatbot industry, allows any company to create custom bots for technical support, customer interaction and routine tasks that will help company founders focus on business strategy. Companies such as Microsoft, Alphabet, Facebook, IBM, Amazon, Softbank, Tencent, Alibaba, Baidu and Samsung will soon introduce their bots.

2 Tesla Model 3

Tesla Model 3 vehicles are equipped with an autopilot that will evolve over time thanks to software updates coming into the system remotely. Mass production of the model is scheduled for the end of 2017. Now Elon Musk and his team are working to make the production of cars, batteries and solar panels even more efficient and faster. And an increase in volume will lead to a fall in prices.

1 Magic Leap

If Magic Leap introduces a consumer product in 2017 that works exactly as shown in the teaser, it will be a real magical leap. It's #1 on my list right now because I can imagine how cool other uses for it could be.

Now computing power will be literally under your nose, and if you previously needed a computer, tablet, phone or watch, now all operations can be performed by moving your head or blinking. Who am I kidding, I don't know exactly how the Magic Leap's user interface works, but I think it will change the relationship between humanity and technology.

2017, like previous years, will amaze us with super technology and super electronics. Top 10 gadgets of 2017 will tell you what developers will surprise us with this year.

10 Sleep Nubmer 360

9 Dring Smartcane

8 Apple Wireless Battery

7 Smart glasses

6 Razer Project Valerie

5 Nintendo NX game console

4 Royole FlexPhone

3 Vivo Xplay

2 Samsung smartphone with flexible structure

1 Smart contact lenses

Solar panels integrated into the roof. At the end of last year, Elon Musk introduced solar panels designed to be installed on rooftops. Such roofs are not like typical solar panels, they are maximally adapted to the coverings that are familiar to our eyes. Rooftop solar panels look like glass and slate tiles, shingles and textured glass. Elon Musk plans to sell and install coatings as early as 2017.

Smart home technologies. Smart home innovations have sprung up in recent years, from the Panasonic pot that stirs the sauce itself, to the Nest wireless thermostat that learns your behavior and adjusts the temperature at home, or the Amazon Echo smart speaker that relays your voice commands. other devices.

Despite the impressive effect of all smart devices individually, a certain path must be traveled before all this begins to function harmoniously and interact with each other. As inventors begin to work more closely with the architecture, engineering, and construction industries, smart home technology will become a part of our daily lives, blending into design and becoming almost invisible.

generative design, that is, the creation of visual images with the help of a technique that can not only "think", but also determine the aesthetics of the product. In fact, this is a creative partnership between a person and a program that uses a certain algorithm in the processing of visual data. Generative design aims high using thousands (if not a million) of design possibilities.

Additive design. Hand in hand with generative design goes the so-called. additive design, i.e. 3D printing on an industrial scale. Various companies in China and the United Arab Emirates regularly demonstrate how wide the possibilities of this technology are. Among the most interesting achievements is the development of Autodesk. By equipping a six-axis industrial robot with a special polymer extruder, Autodesk has created software that allows complex designs to be made using the power of conventional computing systems.

Mobile applications. Every day the phone is getting closer and closer to the level of a full-fledged portable computer in your pocket. Yes, smartphones have been used by architects for a long time, but it’s only in recent years that mobile applications have moved from the category of “rather entertaining” to serious professional tools. There are big players such as GRAPHISOFT and Autodesk, and small developers who offer useful applications for all stages of the project, from concept to actual construction.

Cloud service. Over the past 5 years, the growth of BIM technologies in the US has amounted to 400%. BIM (Building Information Modeling) - building information modeling, i.e., the collection and processing of all, absolutely all information about the structure: architectural, engineering, technological, economic, and any other. It turns out that with the help of BIM, an object is designed as a single architectural, technological, economic (etc.) whole, and if you change the parameters in one area, they will automatically change in another. Architecture, engineering, construction is a multifaceted industry that involves many people. And it is extremely important that each project participant has constant access to all relevant information. This problem is solved by the cloud service. So far, only a few companies offer a full range of platforms for working with a cloud service (we are talking about architecture, of course). In the near future we can expect rapid development in this area.

The virtual reality. The popularity of VR technologies is debatable: is it a momentary hobby or still a new era. Will architects use VR to collaborate and present their ideas to clients? Some companies are already offering customers to walk around the expanses of the planned project with the help of VR technologies. Most likely, such experiments will become commonplace, which will greatly enliven the work of architects, and BIM software manufacturers will take into account the possibilities of virtual reality.

Augmented reality. Like VR, augmented reality has begun to play a significant role in the field of architecture and design. For example, the Microsoft HoloLens mixed reality glasses allow building plans, marketing and other 2D materials to be superimposed on a 3D BIM model. With the development of mobile devices, augmented reality is becoming an integral part of workflows in architecture, construction and design.

Touch screen for CAD and BIM. Yes, touch screens are used to view drawings on the go, but still the technology is not yet sufficiently developed and requires a new level of speed and accuracy. Take a look at the Microsoft Surface Studio: 28-inch touch display with convertible stand, pen and Dial. This gadget will be the impetus for the development and improvement of touch screens aimed at architects and designers.

Dial function is the data entry capability mentioned above. It is worth talking about it separately. It's not just about a line into which information is driven in, but about a controller rotating on the screen that offers different types of tools depending on your tasks. It is a tactile device that may become as common as a computer mouse. If major players like Adobe and Autodesk take up this technology, then the Dial function will appear in every architectural studio in the next couple of years.

Jibo

Unlike smart speakers with voice assistants like the Amazon Echo and Google Home, Jibo feels like a living thing. Its design is reminiscent of the Pixar characters: emotions are conveyed through animated icons on a large round face. Jibo can laugh, dance and turn towards the user when called. This assistant still has a lot to learn: it provides the user with a news feed and takes photos, but it can't play music or work with third-party apps like Uber. However, this cute robot may be the first sign of new, more human machines.

2 eSight 3

eSight

Millions of people who have almost lost their sight are forced to use canes and guide dogs for orientation. New smart glasses can help them. eSight records HD video, enlarges it and enhances contrast so that even people with very poor eyesight can see the world. This allows them, for example, to play sports. The price of the device is too high to be available to the general public, but about 1,000 patients are already using it.

3.Halo Top

halo top

The promise of Halo Top sounds too good to be true: flavored ice cream is low in sugar and only 360 calories per 500ml. The company's products are fortified with protein and use stevia, as well as cane sugar and sugar alcohol. Halo Top's goal is to give dieters back the opportunity to eat ice cream.

4. Fenty Beauty

Fenty Beauty

Ember

Temperature significantly affects the taste of coffee: no one wants to drink either too cold or too hot a drink. There is an opinion that the ideal temperature of coffee is maintained only for about 37 seconds. To solve this problem, Ember Technologies has released a special cup. Constructed from stainless steel and coated in white ceramic, it maintains the exact temperature that the user sets. Ember Mug is already on sale at 4,600 Starbucks in the US.

6. Thyssenkrupp MULTI

Thyssenkrupp

Thyssenkrupp MULTI is an elevator system that uses magnetic levitation technology like in high speed trains. Elevator cabins can move vertically and horizontally, as well as pass each other. This will not only reduce the waiting time for elevators, but in the future will change the perception of the construction of buildings. After a successful test this year, the first MULTI will be installed in Berlin by 2021.

7. Apple iPhone X

Apple

The iPhone X is arguably the world's most sophisticated smartphone, with a screen that takes up the entire surface of the phone, a powerful processor, and a camera capable of recognizing the user by their face. The $999 price tag makes it the most expensive iPhone ever. The high cost is due to the fact that a lot of complex technologies are concentrated in a small volume of the device. According to the company, they already know what innovations will appear in new generations of iPhone.

8 Nike Pro Hijab

Nike

It is difficult to play sports in a hijab: if the material is too heavy, then it makes the athlete sweat, and if it is too light, it can fall during the competition. Nike's Pro Hijab should solve this problem. Unlike the traditional hijab, this one is made from lightweight, breathable fabric that wicks away moisture. Now, for Muslim women, there is no longer a dilemma between following traditional values ​​and playing sports.

9. Forward

forward

Patients in the US and around the world tend to visit doctors only after the first symptoms of the disease. Startup Forward intends to make the idea of ​​preventive medicine more popular. It is a clinic that resembles a high-class gym. For $149 a month, its users get unlimited access to genetic screening, blood tests, weight loss, specialist consultations, and more. The clinic does not accept health insurance and may be too expensive for most Americans, but it operates as a niche experiment: the company has raised $100 million in investments, opened a clinic in Los Angeles, and intends to expand into other US cities.

10. Adidas Futurecraft 4D

Adidas

Imagine shoes that allow you to run faster, jump higher and maneuver better. This idea is embodied in the Futurecraft 4D, the new sneaker from Adidas. Their outsole is precisely tailored to the needs of the wearer, and this applies not only to size and shape, but also to flexibility, impact force, cushioning and so on. To achieve high precision in the manufacture of Futurecraft, 3D printing is used.

11. Tesla Model 3

Tesla

Electric cars are often too expensive and have limited range. Model 3 from Tesla should solve both problems: the price of this car is $35,000, and the range on a single charge is 320 km. Consumers are interested and ready to buy Model 3 in bulk, but, unfortunately, the manufacturer has not been able to bring production to the promised level. Elon Musk calls the situation with the new model "production hell", but is optimistic.

12. Willow Pump

Willow

Breastfeeding is good for children, but for the modern woman it is often inconvenient. Breast pumps, designed to make life easier for new mothers, are not very practical. Perhaps Willow Pump, a battery-powered and silent breast pump that can be worn under clothing anywhere, anytime, can help them. The freshness of the pumped milk will allow you to save a small freezer. Sales of the device will begin next year.

13. Nest Secure

Nest

Keeping intruders out of the home, Nest's security system focuses on making it easier for hosts to access. For example, key fobs can be programmed to provide the ability to unlock doors. In case of intruder penetration, the system will report it.

14 NASA Mars Insight

NASA Mars Insight

In 2018, Mars and Earth will be at the closest distance relative to each other. NASA intends to use this opportunity to the maximum. In May next year, the Mars InSight lander will go to the Red Planet, which will give scientists a more detailed look at its nature. Unlike Curiosity and other rovers, it will remain at the landing site and focus on studying the geology of Mars. The service life of the probe will be 728 Earth days, that is, it will work until about 2020.

15 Oculus Go

Oculus

Virtual reality is a futuristic technology, but it still looks awkward, primarily due to the abundance of wires and additional gadgets such as smartphones and laptops. The Oculus Go headset, developed by Facebook, does not require additional devices to work. Its capabilities are not as advanced as those of more expensive counterparts, but the gadget benefits from accessibility.

16. Tasty One Top

Tasty

BuzzFeed's Tasty channel turns complex recipes into accessible video tutorials. He already has over 100 million users on Instagram and Facebook. The next evolution of this idea is the Tasty One Top, an induction hob that syncs with the Tasty app for smartphones. Thanks to temperature sensors, the app guides chefs, letting them know when it's time to flip a steak, for example. The advantage of Tasty over analogues is an extensive library of recipes.

17. DJI Spark

DJI Spark

In recent years, unmanned aerial vehicles have changed many areas of life from mapping to search and rescue operations. The purpose of the DJI Spark drone is simpler: create better photos and videos. The advantages of this device are ease of control (using gestures), stability in the air and relative cheapness. Spark could be the basis for a price range of unmanned aerial vehicles.

18. Molecule

Molecule

Most purifiers keep harmful contaminants inside the filter. Unlike them, Molekule completely destroys pollutant molecules through a special nanofilter that reacts with light in such a way as to prevent the growth of toxins, including mold and bacteria. The price of the filter is high, but the improvement in air quality is worth it. Investors believed in the idea: Molekule raised almost $15 million.

19 Michelin Vision Concept

Michelin

In the future, cars will become smarter, and tires should also get smarter. Michelin has unveiled the concept of Vision airless tires made from recycled materials. Their most impressive feature will be special retractable blocks that will change the configuration of the tire depending on road conditions.

20 Norton Core

Norton by Symantec

Pluggable devices can be very convenient and useful, but each of them has the potential to become a channel for intruders to enter. The Norton Core router neutralizes this threat. Unlike most wi-fi routers, which simply provide connectivity, the Core is designed to detect anomalies: if one device shows signs of a virus, the Core cuts it off from the rest of the home network. It also regularly updates the software to be ready for new threats.

21. Bempu

Bempu

Babies born prematurely often suffer from heat loss, which can lead to health problems. The Bempu bracelet is attached to the child's wrist and monitors their temperature. If the temperature drops critically, they emit an alarm signal and turn on an orange light. The device has already helped approximately 10,000 newborns, mostly in India, but also in 25 other countries.