Which piece of Treknology do you think could happen next?

[Luther Sloan]

As many of you know, Star Trek has had an influence in the technology that we see today. From flip phones (i.e. Original Series communicators), to real life experimental government phasers, colorized rectangular computer pieces used by Spock (i.e. computer discs, flash drives), PADDs (i.e. tablet PCs, palm devices), Star Trek the Motion Picture wrist phones, medical tricorders, universal translators, cortical stimulators (like in Star Trek 4 ECT), bio neural technology, hover cars, hyposprays, cloaking devices, visors (like Geordi Laforge's visor), and the LCARS touchscreen we seen on TNG for the first time.

Well, with all these Treknological advancements or early breakthroughs, what piece of Trek based technology do think will come next? Would it be the Holodeck, transporter, warp drive (human light speed travel) with the use of anti gravity devices, force fields, tractor beams, replicators, sonic showers, nanites, Borg hive mind technology, photon torpedoes, dermal regenerators, independent advanced thinking androids (like Data), time travel or parallel universe traveling devices?

Well, please vote on which piece of Trek tech that might come out next in the upcoming future. Then tell us why by posting below.

Thank you.
And have fun posting.

Sincerely,

~LS.

Sources:
http://www.wired.com/dangerroom/2009/05/look-out-spock-pentagon-works-on-real-life-phasers/
http://www.neatorama.com/2008/05/06/real-life-star-trek-medical-tricorder/
http://futurismic.com/2008/01/08/the-personal-food-analyzer-one-step-closer-to-a-tricorder/
http://www.uberreview.com/2007/09/b...-waves-burning-your-insides-ala-star-trek.htm
http://www.thelocal.de/sci-tech/20100320-25999.html
http://news.discovery.com/tech/bio-breakthrough-signals-future-sensors.html
http://arstechnica.com/science/news/2007/03/life-imitates-star-trek-part-74-the-hypospray.ars
http://www.sti.nasa.gov/tto/spinoff2003/hm_7.html
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/01/18/eveningnews/eyeontech/main2373433.shtml

 

[T'Girl]

Totally no touch medical scanners, we're almost there now.

 

[Luther Sloan]

Yeah, they actually do have a medical tricorder now.
It's not in wide use or as sophisticated or anything, though. But it exists.

http://www.neatorama.com/2008/05/06/real-life-star-trek-medical-tricorder/

http://www.newlaunches.com/archives/top_10_star_trek_tech_that_are_here_for_real.php

Side Note:

Also, according to article (in the link given above), transparent aluminum armor is another reality that has come to pass in today's modern world, too.

 

[clever_username]

i went with sonic showers. but i also think dermal regenerators, nanites, and shields (using plasma) are possible in the near future. we already know how to clone animals, so would it be that far-fetched to think we could clone human tissue? and i thought the nanites thing was being worked on now.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I think we'll have commbadges within the next 10-12 years myself. Good-bye Bluetooth headsets and cell phones...

 

[Luther Sloan]

and i thought the nanites thing was being worked on now.

Clever:

Yeah, they do exist. But they are remote controlled pieces of machinery rather than programmed or artificially intelligent robots. The nanites (or Borg nanoprobes) on Star Trek are separate self sufficient and operating microscopic machines (with a built in set of commands).

On the other hand, it is pretty darn amazing that this hurtle of science has been jumped; remote controlled microscopic machines is a big break through. However, the AI side of it needs to be figured out (if it is even a concern at this point), though.

http://dallas.bizjournals.com/dallas/stories/2001/09/10/focus2.html

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2005/10/1026_051026_tiny_robot.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLZfeUbJAuY

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/06/080602133313.htm

In fact, the answer to creating microscopic robots with a built in set of commands might even rely in microscopic bio-technology at this point. We just don't know what the future could hold for us.

Anyways, here is the article on microscopic bio robots (if your interested)...

http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16119-invention-microscopic-biorobot-slaves.html

 

[SFRabid]

Like most other people so far I chose nanites since they are already in the works. Anti gravety would be my second choice since scientists are already having some success in this area.

 

[Luther Sloan]

I forgot to add that there is something close to the TR-116 rifle out there. Not exactly the TR-116 because of the micro transporter and all, but it basically accomplishes the same result, though.

http://io9.com/5284586/new-smart-gu...l-through-walls-and-explode-inside-a-building

 

[caisson2delta]

I chose shield technology, but many of the options for medical tech. are pretty good as well. It seems like scientists are making some pretty good advancements with the uses of plasma and might have something very rudimentary, in the way of shielding, in the next decade or so.

 

[Biggshow]

I think we'll have commbadges within the next 10-12 years myself. Good-bye Bluetooth headsets and cell phones...

We've got 'em now. They are being tested in hospitals. And I believe Bluetooth was in the process of marketing a TNG style combadge.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I think we'll have commbadges within the next 10-12 years myself. Good-bye Bluetooth headsets and cell phones...

We've got 'em now. They are being tested in hospitals. And I believe Bluetooth was in the process of marketing a TNG style combadge.

Yeah, but I think it may still take up to a decade before they become as commonplace as today's cellphones. Sort of like how it took awhile before cellphones became prolific, even though the first ones were developed way back when...

 

[Luther Sloan]

Yeah, but I think it may still take up to a decade before they become as commonplace as today's cellphones. Sort of like how it took awhile before cellphones became prolific, even though the first ones were developed way back when...

Evans:

If combadges were to be used in public by everyone, they would have to be equipped with a blue tooth talking ear piece or something else to keep the calls private. Combadges alone (like on TNG, DS9, and VOY) would not be practical in public use by themselves. Perhaps public combadges could be used in hospitals, or other related facilities; but most people want to keep their conversations private (so an ear piece would be a must).

However, I do see a major advantage in having a combadge instead of carrying a cell phone, though. Combadges could be attached to belt buckles, wrist bands, and or on the inside or outside of your clothing. This allows the user to access or call someone by simply using voice commands and or by tapping the combadge. Also, all phone numbers you collect from your family and friends and any calls you receive are routed to your combadge from a personalized internet server (so you would never lose any phone numbers or missed calls).

Also, like on Star Trek: the combadges could function as a back up emergency power supply, too. Which could be used to charge other portable devices. In addition, the combadge could act as a distress beacon in remote locations. This could be accomplished by powering up or syncing up with other combadges in the area in order to gain signal strength so that it can contact the proper authorities in an emergency situation. Furthermore, the combadge could even perform as a universal translator when you are visiting other countries, too. Which would probably be one of the most appealing aspects of having a combadge.

Oh, and the combadge would also be extremely useful in allowing to sync up with the vehicle you drive, as well. Allowing you to stay hands free and pay more attention to the road. Combadges could probably be even used to type text messages with a simple voice command, too. No more typing to people anymore. Just speak it and the combadge will text the message for you.

At least, that's my 2 cents worth, anyways.


Sources:
http://memory-alpha.org/wiki/Combadge

 

[StarryEyed]

Of the options listed, nano-tech is almost certainly the Treknology that will make the greatest impact. I don't think the type of nanites we saw on TNG-Evolution are realistic though. Intelligence requires a minimum amount of nodes/connections. I don't know what that minimum is but we see in the biological world that it takes a lot more than is possible to be achieved by something that small.

A lot of the options are pure flights of fancy at this point. Before you can actually build a piece of hardware, you need a working theory on which to base the design. I'm talking about a solid theory in the scientific sense, not mere speculation. Things like warp drive, artificial gravity, anti-gravity (magnetic levitation is NOT anti-gravity), tractor beams, shields, artificial sentience might be possible but there is no basis for prediction because we don't currently even have a theory that would make such devices possible.

Perhaps the most speculative of all these technologies is artificial sentience. We really have no clue what conscious thought is - even if it is a real thing rather than an illusion.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Yeah, but I think it may still take up to a decade before they become as commonplace as today's cellphones. Sort of like how it took awhile before cellphones became prolific, even though the first ones were developed way back when...

Evans:

If combadges were to be used in public by everyone, they would have to be equipped with a blue tooth talking ear piece or something else to keep the calls private. Combadges alone (like on TNG, DS9, and VOY) would not be practical in public use by themselves. Perhaps public combadges could be used in hospitals, or other related facilities; but most people want to keep their conversations private (so an ear piece would be a must).

You definitely don't live where I live, because most people I encounter don't care at all if you overhear their conversations. Discretion isn't a concern because they consider it rude for anyone to be listening to their conversations, regardless of where they are or how loudly they're talking.

If they really want privacy, they'd just do what they already do with cellphones and excuse themselves like they actually do on TNG, DS9, and VOY in such rare instances.

 

[Luther Sloan]

I'm not talking about a one way conversation. Most people don't feel like their privacy is violated because you can't hear the conversation of the other person on the other end of the phone. The point I am trying to make is that most folks don't want anyone knowing who they are talking to. Sure, the person talking on the cell phone may not mind if you hear what they choose to say in a call, but they definitely would prefer keeping the other person on the other end of the line anonymous (because they can't control what that person is going to say). Otherwise most everyone would use the Nextel walkie talkie feature instead of just answering a cell phone normally like most people do.

In other words: the person next to you talking on the cell phone feels like he/she has partial privacy because you can't hear who they are talking to. And privacy is still important to most people. In fact, privacy is becoming more and more of an issue these days (Like with Facebook, ECT). Sure, a person can walk out of a room. But there are a lot of places where a person can't leave (like a bus, subway, or taxi) and that person needs to take the call and keep it private (either for security reasons or matters that are extremely private & important).

Besides, people have had speaker phone capability in their home phones over the past few decades and they still prefer to primarily talk by picking up the phone rather than hitting the intercom button.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Well, where you live is the minority then.

Doubtful.

Most people across the globe prefer to keep their conversations private.

Some do. Some don't. Depends on the individual person, the subject matter, and sometimes where you are and when the conversation is taking place.

Sure, a person can walk out of a room. But there are a lot of places where a person can't leave (like a bus, subway, or taxi) and that person needs to take the call and keep it private (either for security reasons or matters that are extremely private & important).

In such rare cases, they usually keep the conversation brief or simply say "I'll get back to you." Others, however, don't seem to care...

 

[Luther Sloan]

Okay. You caught my post when I was fine tuning it (re-editing it). When I first replied I was tired out of my mind.

The simple fact of the matter is that people have had open speaking technology (hard line phones with two way public speaker capability) for quite some time. No one uses that option unless they want to include others in on the conversation (openly). Most people pick up the phone these days (and don't use the intercom feature).

And there is no major noticeable paradigm shift suggesting that the majority of people who talk on their cell phones in public would want anyone else (who is eavesdropping) to listen to the other person who is talking on the other end of the line. If that was the case. Why doesn't everyone use the speaker option on their cell phones or buy cell phones for this purpose alone?

See my re-edit of my previous post for more detail.

 

[C.E. Evans]

Like I said, it depends on the person, the subject matter, and where they are. Privacy definitely isn't that much of a big deal since people do openly hold conversations in public with cellphones or Bluetooth, even though you may only hear one side of it. Again, those that do want want more privacy either excuse themselves or keep their conversations brief so they can talk more freely later...

 

[Luther Sloan]

I am not discounting the fact that we may have combadge technology like Next Tel's walkie talkie feature just like Star Trek in the future. However, I just know that from looking at history that most people are not going to use the combadge unless they have a blue tooth ear piece or wrist watch of some kind.

I mean, you can split hairs all you want (and say some people are this and other people are that way). I see people in public every day. I research the internet. Follow the news. And I don't see the majority of people currently on cell phones with the intercom feature on. Which is the point I am trying to make.

I mean, seriously, man. Arguing this point is like trying to argue that water isn't wet or something.

 

[C.E. Evans]

I am not discounting the fact that we may have combadge technology like Next Tel's walkie talkie feature just like Star Trek in the future. However, I just know that from looking at history that most people are not going to use the combadge unless they have a blue tooth ear piece or wrist watch of some kind.

By your definition, a commbadge isn't really practical for everyday people to use because of the "privacy issue." They're better off sticking to Bluetooth and cellphones because they're afraid of being overheard by someone.

I mean, you can split hairs all you want (and say some people are this and other people are that way). I see people in public every day. I research the internet. Follow the news. And I don't see the majority of people currently on cell phones with the intercom feature on. Which is the point I am trying to make.

And the point I'm trying to make is that that you see people everyday having conversations in public with cellphones and Bluetooth period. I see people in public every day too and I'm often bombarded with people having cellphone or Bluetooth conversations around me. Whether or not you can hear the other person is irrelevant, IMO, because you're still hearing part of the conversation. Indeed, at times it's not even necessary for me to hear the other person because of the way they're carrying on.

I mean, seriously, man. Arguing this point is like trying to argue that water isn't wet or something.

That's the one thing I agree on, "man." People will do what they will and not everyone feels the same way about things.