There is a technological theory, called Moore’s Law, which suggests that technological innovation has accelerated at an exponential rate, and will only continue to do so, as previous technologies form the foundations of more and more new technology.

Looking out into 2018, it’s easy to see that this is true. We are on the precipice of so many improvements and innovations in technology.

5 Major Innovations in Technology in 2018

Below you’ll find 5 areas where innovations in technology will have the biggest impact in the near future.

1. 1. Breakthroughs in Robotics

You have heard of the work the scientists at Boston Dynamics have been doing in robotics. Videos of their strange 4-legged robot dogs opening doors and getting kicked around haven’t stopped going viral for the last year or so.

But there’s so much more beyond hype here. They’re still a long way away from creating robots that would prove useful in consumer’s homes, but BD’s robots will soon be a valued addition on factory floors for major manufacturers.

Last year Softbank bought Boston Dynamics (and its robots) from Google.  It will be interesting to see how their robotics program develops over the next couple years.

2. Blockchain and Other Cryptography

The term “blockchain” has been tossed around lately, but without a great understanding of what it actually means. In the most basic terms, a blockchain is a form of digital encryption used to protect cryptocurrency transactions from fraud and data thievery.

This encryption tool is extremely powerful, and can even protect data from hackers using quantum computers. It is expected this technology will be used in other industries in the near future.

3. Self-Driving Cars

Self-driving cars faced a setback in the eyes of the public with that Uber accident in Arizona, but the truth is self-driving cars are still extremely safe, and they’re the future.

Most of the costs associated with transportation fall at the driver’s feet, so the economic incentive to create driverless cars is there. It’s not a matter of “if,” just a matter of when.

4. Cancer and Genomics

The National Institute of Health has recently completed what is now known as the Pan-Cancer Atlas. Researchers completed a detailed analysis of over 10,000 tumours from 33 different types of cancer.

From this analysis, researchers now have comprehensive information, at the molecular level, of how, when, and why cancer arises in humans. With this information, clinicians and scientists may be able to fundamentally alter conventional cancer treatments for the better.

5. Fog Computing, Cloud Computing and the Internet of Things (IoT)

Right now, cloud computing is having its heyday. Services like Dropbox or iCloud house servers that we can store data on no matter how far we are away from it. The drawback here is that the distance creates delays in load speeds and response times between computers.

Fog computing aims to bring our data storage systems back closer to us, negating these problems. As the number of wirelessly connected items in our household grows, we’ll be able to distribute data and processing across several devices as close to the user as possible. Imagine using your dishwasher doubling as a server tower, for example.

 

Want to Invest in New Technology?

This article has only given you a glimpse into the innovations in technology we’re on the cusp of. If you’re looking to get in on the ground floor of innovative tech across the board, you might be interested in our EDGE ETF, which provides investors access to global companies from innovative or disruptive industries, including: cyber security, future cars, genomics, big data & cloud computing, robots & automation and social media.

Elliot Johnson | Chief Investment Officer, Chief Operating Officer | ejohnson@evolveetfs.com