Six digital technologies to enable development
World Development Report 2016: Six digital technologies to enable development
Mar 30, 2016
WORLD BANK LISTS SIX DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH OUT
World Bank’s World Development Report 2016 on Digital Dividends lists six digital technologies to watch outfor. The report is intended for countries to make the most of the internet and upcoming technologies. The report enlists six digital technologies that are identified to be far reaching in their impact on development. Although, internet and digital technology is not universally available or affordable, technological change is continuous and frequent. Hence, although these technologies are at different stages of growth and spread, they are definitely the future of both developed and developing worlds.
The six digital technologies that will define our future are:
Fifth-generation (5G) mobile phones
Mobile in itself is hardly a new technology, this when combined with the internet of things makes a disruptive force that can have the greatest impact in the developing world. Cellular mobile phones made their debut in the commercial service in the late 1970’s. Then these first generation analog cell phones were replaced by 2G digital phones followed by 3G and 4G.
By June 2015, there were about 2.33 billion 3G mobile subscriptions worldwide and about 757 million subscribers to data-optimized 4G or LTE. 5G is going to be the next generation of mobile networks, which is expected to outperform current 4G networks by providing data at the speed of several hundred gigabits per second. While many developing countries are still struggling to accommodate 4G services, they should also follow developments taking place in 5G and start preparing for its eventual roll out.
Read More: Laser technology can help create environment friendly battery for smartphones
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its definition differs widely but it generally refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, this includes visual and speech recognition, decision making and language translation. We have seen glimpses of AI in many science fiction movies, but we might not know that we have been using AI in many of our everyday tasks, for example- Google translation, etc. IBM’s Watson computer uses AI to provide diagnostic assistance to doctors, providing customized medical advice.
Virtual assistants with voice recognition capabilities like Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana are increasingly used in personal and business contexts. Rapid advances in AI have also resulted in concerns about machine intelligence overtaking human intelligence, and becoming a threat to the future of humanity itself. However, keeping the risks in mind, AI can bring in new opportunities to collaborate between humans and machines.
Read More: Twitter’s TweetDeck Windows App’s days are numbered
Autonomous Vehicles (AV)
Autonomous Vehicles or self driven cars have attracted major research fundings from car companies and other internet firms because of the argument that such cars will reduce road accidents, ease congestion, reduce fuel consumption and ease mobility for the elderly and disabled. However, these innovations also face major challenges as they will threaten the jobs of many who work as drivers and also these innovations need proper roads and planned cities to operate. They also raise legal issues like liability insurance and onboard networked computers would be at risk of hacking.
The European project SARTRE is piloting the concept of “autonomous car platoons,” which allows multiple vehicles to drive autonomously within meters of one another at highway speeds, guided by a professional pilot vehicle. This approach is expected to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20 percent. Many cars and planes have already incorporated assistive technology and it is also expensive compared to human labour.
Read More: Xiaomi unveils a smartphone controlled rice cooker named Young
Robotics
Robotics, which refers to machines or mechanical systems that can automatically handle tasks, can be generally divided into industrial robots and service robots. Robots can provide benefits through their computing power, precision, strength, and sensing capabilities. The worldwide stock of operational industrial robots at the end of 2014 was up to 1.5 million, with around 4.7 million service robots sold for personal and domestic use.
Companies like Amazon have acquired robot systems like Kiva for order fulfillment. Google acquired Boston Dynamics and several other robotics companies. This desire for industrial robots and AI is driven by the desire to reduce labour costs and increase accuracy and time optimization. Robots also do not get sick and can even undertake hazardous or risky tasks, such as detecting land mines. China is currently the world’s biggest importer of industrial robots.
Read More: Soon after Apple, Samsung launches Samsung Pay in China
Internet of Things
The “internet of things” (IoT) refers to the interconnection of objects to internet infrastructure through embedded computing devices, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and sensors. IoT products can be classified into five broad categories: wearable devices, smart homes, smart cities, environmental sensors, and business applications. Globally, there has been a rise in spaces where people can gather to build and learn with electronics, software, and digital fabrication. Known as makerspaces, these spaces have democratized access to tools and empowered participants to build and learn on their own.
One of the key applications of IoT is in combating climate change and its effects. Farms in developing countries can use intelligent sensors to monitor soil conditions and guide autonomous irrigation systems. IoT is also believed to mark a new stage of the internet’s development, since it has the potential to revolutionize the way people live, work, interact, and learn. However, there are barriers to full commercialization of IoT, such as the fragmented landscape of standardization, which is preventing inter operability; privacy and the relatively high cost of embedded devices.
Read More: LMcable is the world’s first common connector for both Android & iOS
3D Printing
3D printing, a process whereby machines can print objects from digital files or scans, consists of adding successive layers of material to make a three dimensional (3D) object. This technology has transformational potential for manufacturing, since it enables users to create smaller batches of highly customizable products at declining prices. In recent years, 3D printing has advanced to printing of body parts (titanium jaws, spines), exoskeletons, rocket parts, and even food. As prices have fallen, consumer oriented objects have appeared.
The revolutionary aspect of 3D printing lies in its digital nature: physical objects become digital information that can be remixed, reformulated, improved, and shared. However, desktop 3D printers are still relatively expensive, and use between 50 and 100 times more energy per unit weight than conventional injection molding. Other concerns include potentially negative uses, such as gun and drug printing, and infringement of intellectual property. 3D printing is expanding in developing countries. In Uganda, for example, the technology is used to create 3D-printed prosthetic limbs.
------------------------ What we do for you on Cetrix-----------------------------
I would like to share some points with you and to discuss how we can support your talents on cost reduced prototyping and manufacturing when you have new idea.
We are an EU manufacturer of integrated mobile technologies for vertical market, with our manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen, China.
We have been providing our design and prototyping services to a number of startup & mid-sized companies (http://www.cetrixtablets.com/our-work/)and helped them in developing innovative solutions.
I would be happy if we can arrange a time for a conferencecall to discuss how we can help your startup companies.
DinoSergio
Head of Technology Innovation Program and Network
d.sergio@cetrixinc.com
Pleasealso visit our showcase:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tablet-design-prototyping-manufacturing))
Digital Classroom |Solutions for Tablet-Cetrixtablets
Please also visit our showcase:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tablet-design-prototyping-manufacturing
Mar 30, 2016
WORLD BANK LISTS SIX DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES TO WATCH OUT
World Bank’s World Development Report 2016 on Digital Dividends lists six digital technologies to watch outfor. The report is intended for countries to make the most of the internet and upcoming technologies. The report enlists six digital technologies that are identified to be far reaching in their impact on development. Although, internet and digital technology is not universally available or affordable, technological change is continuous and frequent. Hence, although these technologies are at different stages of growth and spread, they are definitely the future of both developed and developing worlds.
The six digital technologies that will define our future are:
Fifth-generation (5G) mobile phones
Mobile in itself is hardly a new technology, this when combined with the internet of things makes a disruptive force that can have the greatest impact in the developing world. Cellular mobile phones made their debut in the commercial service in the late 1970’s. Then these first generation analog cell phones were replaced by 2G digital phones followed by 3G and 4G.
By June 2015, there were about 2.33 billion 3G mobile subscriptions worldwide and about 757 million subscribers to data-optimized 4G or LTE. 5G is going to be the next generation of mobile networks, which is expected to outperform current 4G networks by providing data at the speed of several hundred gigabits per second. While many developing countries are still struggling to accommodate 4G services, they should also follow developments taking place in 5G and start preparing for its eventual roll out.
Read More: Laser technology can help create environment friendly battery for smartphones
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Artificial intelligence (AI) and its definition differs widely but it generally refers to computer systems that can perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, this includes visual and speech recognition, decision making and language translation. We have seen glimpses of AI in many science fiction movies, but we might not know that we have been using AI in many of our everyday tasks, for example- Google translation, etc. IBM’s Watson computer uses AI to provide diagnostic assistance to doctors, providing customized medical advice.
Virtual assistants with voice recognition capabilities like Apple’s Siri and Microsoft’s Cortana are increasingly used in personal and business contexts. Rapid advances in AI have also resulted in concerns about machine intelligence overtaking human intelligence, and becoming a threat to the future of humanity itself. However, keeping the risks in mind, AI can bring in new opportunities to collaborate between humans and machines.
Read More: Twitter’s TweetDeck Windows App’s days are numbered
Autonomous Vehicles (AV)
Autonomous Vehicles or self driven cars have attracted major research fundings from car companies and other internet firms because of the argument that such cars will reduce road accidents, ease congestion, reduce fuel consumption and ease mobility for the elderly and disabled. However, these innovations also face major challenges as they will threaten the jobs of many who work as drivers and also these innovations need proper roads and planned cities to operate. They also raise legal issues like liability insurance and onboard networked computers would be at risk of hacking.
The European project SARTRE is piloting the concept of “autonomous car platoons,” which allows multiple vehicles to drive autonomously within meters of one another at highway speeds, guided by a professional pilot vehicle. This approach is expected to reduce fuel consumption and emissions by up to 20 percent. Many cars and planes have already incorporated assistive technology and it is also expensive compared to human labour.
Read More: Xiaomi unveils a smartphone controlled rice cooker named Young
Robotics
Robotics, which refers to machines or mechanical systems that can automatically handle tasks, can be generally divided into industrial robots and service robots. Robots can provide benefits through their computing power, precision, strength, and sensing capabilities. The worldwide stock of operational industrial robots at the end of 2014 was up to 1.5 million, with around 4.7 million service robots sold for personal and domestic use.
Companies like Amazon have acquired robot systems like Kiva for order fulfillment. Google acquired Boston Dynamics and several other robotics companies. This desire for industrial robots and AI is driven by the desire to reduce labour costs and increase accuracy and time optimization. Robots also do not get sick and can even undertake hazardous or risky tasks, such as detecting land mines. China is currently the world’s biggest importer of industrial robots.
Read More: Soon after Apple, Samsung launches Samsung Pay in China
Internet of Things
The “internet of things” (IoT) refers to the interconnection of objects to internet infrastructure through embedded computing devices, such as radio frequency identification (RFID) chips and sensors. IoT products can be classified into five broad categories: wearable devices, smart homes, smart cities, environmental sensors, and business applications. Globally, there has been a rise in spaces where people can gather to build and learn with electronics, software, and digital fabrication. Known as makerspaces, these spaces have democratized access to tools and empowered participants to build and learn on their own.
One of the key applications of IoT is in combating climate change and its effects. Farms in developing countries can use intelligent sensors to monitor soil conditions and guide autonomous irrigation systems. IoT is also believed to mark a new stage of the internet’s development, since it has the potential to revolutionize the way people live, work, interact, and learn. However, there are barriers to full commercialization of IoT, such as the fragmented landscape of standardization, which is preventing inter operability; privacy and the relatively high cost of embedded devices.
Read More: LMcable is the world’s first common connector for both Android & iOS
3D Printing
3D printing, a process whereby machines can print objects from digital files or scans, consists of adding successive layers of material to make a three dimensional (3D) object. This technology has transformational potential for manufacturing, since it enables users to create smaller batches of highly customizable products at declining prices. In recent years, 3D printing has advanced to printing of body parts (titanium jaws, spines), exoskeletons, rocket parts, and even food. As prices have fallen, consumer oriented objects have appeared.
The revolutionary aspect of 3D printing lies in its digital nature: physical objects become digital information that can be remixed, reformulated, improved, and shared. However, desktop 3D printers are still relatively expensive, and use between 50 and 100 times more energy per unit weight than conventional injection molding. Other concerns include potentially negative uses, such as gun and drug printing, and infringement of intellectual property. 3D printing is expanding in developing countries. In Uganda, for example, the technology is used to create 3D-printed prosthetic limbs.
------------------------ What we do for you on Cetrix-----------------------------
I would like to share some points with you and to discuss how we can support your talents on cost reduced prototyping and manufacturing when you have new idea.
We are an EU manufacturer of integrated mobile technologies for vertical market, with our manufacturing facilities in Shenzhen, China.
We have been providing our design and prototyping services to a number of startup & mid-sized companies (http://www.cetrixtablets.com/our-work/)and helped them in developing innovative solutions.
I would be happy if we can arrange a time for a conferencecall to discuss how we can help your startup companies.
DinoSergio
Head of Technology Innovation Program and Network
d.sergio@cetrixinc.com
Pleasealso visit our showcase:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tablet-design-prototyping-manufacturing))
Digital Classroom |Solutions for Tablet-Cetrixtablets
Please also visit our showcase:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/tablet-design-prototyping-manufacturing
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