18. Flat packed house you construct in 2 days – Just like Leggo

The headline says it all.  You order it, it arrives flat packed in a box, and kitset instructions lead you into erecting your very own instant house - within 2 days.  See more here at http://www.gizmag.com/flat-packed-mini-house/23930/. Its origins go back to 2010, built by Swedish architect Jonas Wagell and are used as summer homes in Sweden.

There are a range of sizes from 15 to 70m squared (161 to 753ft squared). A new line of mini houses are soon to be released with the ability to add on extra units.  In line with conditions and regulations of regular houses, they are designed to endure a wide range of weather conditions.The new style flat packed homes require minimal assistance to erect. In addition the homes are self sufficient, and achievable for the technologically minded.

Existing technologies and industries
Flat packed homes in New Zealand are better known as Kitset homes.  Popular companies like Keith Hay Homes, DW Homes, ModuleNZ and many more demonstrate their successes.  Conversely, due to the size and level of construction required, these kitset flat packed homes still require the assistance of builders, and take a lot longer than two days to erect.  In comparison, existing industries that trade in kitset homes must gain a competitive edge against the speed, efficiency, and ease that the new flat packed homes have to offer.   Although the costs for the flat-packed homes is unknown, what is known is that the price of the current Kitset homes similar sizes to the pictured flat-packed home start from bare minimum kitset pack $41, 609 http://www.latitudehomes.co.nz/site/price_budget.asp. The benefits these homes will bring to society are unknown yet, however it is assumed that they would be on par with their predecessor prototypes from the kitset models.  On the other hand, the notion that these homes or baches can be altered, and joined to other units, to extend to a larger home would be beneficial for the growing household, business under development.

17. Wifi Devices that Can See Through Walls

A wifi device that can see through walls?  "Researchers have devised a prototype device that can see through walls by tracking signal changes of WiFi frequency signal changes" http://blog.alexanderhiggins.com/2012/08/20/big-brother-walls-wifi-171201/.  As a new technology, its innovation and entrepreneurship in the context of the current world economic and business domains are yet to be established.  

Reported on 3 News Firstline TVNZ 30 August 2012, this device aims to be modeled for use by the Police.  The wifi device senses other electronics in the room, and reflects sonar rays from it back to the wifi device.  Any movement between these rays will be identified.  The notion that any movement sensed must be that of the attacker, (not of the victim) therefore police can fire rounds through these walls.  More information is expected on its accuracy, and efficiency.  

Its ability to detect people and items in enclosed spaces not only benefits the Police force, but defence force also. The impact this device would have for the emergency services, search and rescue operations would be resourceful and life saving, especially in highly dangerous mining disasters. 

On the other hand, identified risks raise warning bells especially where the Police are instructed to fire at the next moving target - bank robbers may decoy one of their victims into a shower of bullets. 

It is anticipated that its diffusion for our defense  emergency and police departments would be slow to begin with as accuracy, limitations, and even legalities must be defined. However predicted to rise as security industries, and other industries find use for the tool. 

16. Femto Cameras That See Around Corners

Ramesh Raskar, inventor, talks about his latest creation..... a camera that can see around corners.  Cameras that can capture light in slow motion, cameras that can look around corners beyond our own line of sight, or even see inside our bodies without an xray.  


Using light rays, and a femto camera, this unique device uses the art of bending light off surfaces to reflect images that one could not see in their line of sight.  The theory lies in the notion that when light hits an object and reflects or refracts back to the camera, the light particles arrive back at different time slots.   The femto camera is that sophisticated it records the length of light at 0.6 millimetres at 2 picoseconds. It is foreseen that this camera will have the ability to predict vehicles approaching your direction, that are around corners, for search and rescue operations, and or being able to see inside the body without physical intrusion or manipulation. 

Imagine the revolutionary effect this technology would have if converged with self-driving vehicles, or even the implications for security, and search and rescue operations - to see more visit http://www.ted.com/talks/ramesh_raskar_a_camera_that_takes_one_trillion_frames_per_second.html.   In line with this, the benefits this trend will bring for the military and emergency services are huge, "... potential applications for femto-photography included search-and-rescue planning in hazardous conditions, collision avoidance for cars, and robots in industrial environments. His website notes that transient imaging also has significant potential benefits in medical imaging, allowing endoscopes to view around obstacles inside the human body" http://www.hindu.com/2010/11/20/stories/2010112056301100.htm. In addition, any risks involved depend on the operation in which it is used for.  For example, if converged with driverless cars, one would not rush out to buy the very first prototype; alternately, I would be extremely worried if the police were using them with firearms - you should never shoot at any target unless you can 100% identify that target's identity.  

Before this item makes its impact on the marketplace, there is a lot of fine tuning to be conducted yet.  "For consumer use, there is a lot of miniaturization ahead," Velten says. "It's not going to happen soon." But eventually, he says, "There's no reason why this shouldn't be on your iPhone someday"" http://news.taaza.com/source/908379-mits-laser-powered-camera-can-detect-objects-hidden-around-corners-video.html.  

The likelihood of it reaching consumer markets are yet to be determined until smaller and more affordable prototypes are devised.  It's convergence with iPhone, Tablet's, GPRS, SixthSense, or Augmented Reality to re/direct your route to an alternative path, are inevitable, but the question is, 'when?' 

14. Quantum Levitation to Bridge the Gap Between Hovercraft, Now Identified Flying Objects, & Public Transportation

It’s 2022 and you need to take your wheels (car) out for a spin, but you haven’t got enough money for fuel……….  Fuel?  Hang on, its 2022, wheels and fuel isn't needed anymore. While this sounds incredulous, this idea has risen from Boaz Almog’s levitation demonstration, showing a sapphire crystal disc coated with a superconductor, cooled in liquid nitrogen, hovering above a magnetic base.  Witness it for yourself.

Its benefits and its impact on the market
This demonstration highlights the revolutionary change to fuel-less transportation that is economical, ecologically friendly, and sustainable.  Imagine buses, trains, cars, bikes powered by liquid nitrogen and magnetic lines that resemble tramcar transportation.  Or wheelchairs as hover craft. The list could go on. The most striking attribute observed was the fact that when the  levitated disk was pushed, causing it to speed at a very fast rate, remarkably, the quantum levitated disk never lost its momentum and speed.  Imagine a train, car, or motorbike travelling at the speed of a bullet.  Phenomenal. 

Possible competition in levitation
Japan's Maglev trains function on the magnetic principle of reduced/zero friction that increases the potential velocity http://science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/maglev-train.htm

“In October 2011, Boaz Almog demonstrated how a superconducting disk can be trapped in a surrounding magnetic field to levitate above it, a phenomenon called “quantum levitation” …. By using exceptional superconductors cooled in liquid nitrogen, Almog and his colleague Mishael Azoulay at the superconductivity group at Tel Aviv University (lead by Prof. Guy Deutscher) were able to demonstrate a quantum effect that, although well known to physicists worldwide, had never been seen and demonstrated in such a compelling way.” (retrieved July 12, 2012 from http://www.ted.com/speakers/boaz_almog.html). 


Some interesting comments on Youtube are highlighted below:

• Who's to say that the device or machine you build runs on a track and roller type system i.e. the tracks are magnetic, and the rollers the superconducting disc. As long as the tracks are rotating around, then it keeps the discs happy and powered.Corlene Greenwood 15 minutes ago, October 9, 2012. 
• ok, it is frictionless, except for the air... so why not do this: put it into a "box" without air, and then set it to run in a loop constantally. if it can go with 0 resistance, hook it up to generage electricity.. this electricity could then power a liquid nitrogen generator... free energy? no, quantum energy conversion... Andrew Grady 4 days ago.October 5, 2012.
• It would actually ya. But you wont be able to use your cellphone wherever the transport is (lets say you make superconductive cars on magnetic streets) Your technology would malfunction. And people with pacemakers, or anything like that (metallic limbs or w.e) would be stuck to the street.However, this may be useful in space, or possibly in the sky, or better used to enhance technology, in essence maybe even make a permanent battery of some sort. but i dont have the physics to back that up. JusticeRetroHunter in reply to bloodrocker2 (Show the comment) 5 days ago,October 4, 2012.
• But this levitation thing requires magnet rails and a lot of liquid nitrogen. I think electrotrains are more   efficient, considering they in Japan already are using magnite-levitating friction-less trains .alexgrinkov in reply to AkioGamerGS (Show the comment) 1 month ago, August9, 2012.

·       Moreover, what if we were to use quantum locking to create weightless storage containers inside aircraft, sea vessels, trucks, cars etc.?  Or have weightless seats inside passenger carrying vehicles and aircraft?  

For further reading:

• How NASA wants to use quantum levitation http://bloodredorion-science.tumblr.com/post/12320293623/nasa-wanted-to-use-quantum-levitation
• A wipeout track using quantum levitation http://kottke.org/12/01/wipeout-track-using-quantum-levitation
• A hover board powered by quantum levitation http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/thinking-tech/a-hoverboard-powered-by-quantum-levitation-video/9065
• Quantum levitation http://www.quantumlevitation.com/thephysics.html

13. Self cleaning fabrics

An addition to my "Never get wet" post (Sunday 22 July 2012), the self-cleaning cotton nanoparticle has proven successful in China.  The feasibility of introducing this item into the fashion, and basicware industries is highly likely, “"The main retailers to pick up on this latest innovation are likely to be those selling basicware," said Ms Cavill. “In the West that could mean Wal-Mart or Marks and Spencer would want to invest in the Chinese technology to take advantage of functional clothing becoming more popular with shoppers." …. Analysts say self-cleaning clothes could prove very popular in countries with humid climates”  (BBC News Technology, 16 December 2011; in http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-16225050).  I also predict it to be popular with furniture, and home ware items also.  As a mother, I know that I'd truly appreciate a self-cleaning school uniform for my 8 year old son.  What do you think? And where do you predict it to be in the market in the next ten years?

12. Driverless Cars

What will be the impact?
Imagine it..... drivers licences, car accidents, lateness to work will be no longer be causes for concern as driverless cars become more available to society. Imagine, not having to pick your kids up from school any more ... the car would pick them up.  How about a house bus that drives you to work on time, and picks you up when you are finished.... a new way of bringing home to work, or vice versa.  You wouldn't need after school care.... you'd just have the car pick your child up, bring them to you, while they safely watch a movie, and eat treats while waiting in the car for you to finish work.... your driverless car could also serve to be a robot who takes on a custodian role that responds to your command.............. how amazing would that be?  The convergence of technology with this wonderful invention would be limitless.  

Who are the main business drivers, and who are the main competitors?

Google is currently dominating the driverless car market, but other major car moguls such as  General Motors, Volks Wagon, Audi, BMW, Volvo and Mercedes are its fierce competitors with intentions to mass produce the vehicles by 2018 (retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://mashable.com/2012/02/19/driverless-cars-infographic/).  While laws have recently been passed in Nevada, in June 2011, for driverless cars, Hawaii, and Florida have only just passed the bill in their states too.  Conversely, before the vehicle becomes availble to the public, the 47 other states in America must also join Nevada, Florida and Hawaii in proposing legilslation allwoing driverless cars to operate freely (retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://mashable.com/2012/02/19/driverless-cars-infographic/).  As a New Zealand citizen, I'm predicting that it will be a while before it reaches our little country yet. 

What are the risks/benefits this technology will bring?

These benefits could include:

• Age, physical or emotional restrictions would be irrelevant where any occupant regardless of age,  physical or mental disability would be able to operate such a vehicle.
• Improved or increased safety, meaning a significant decrease in number of traffic accidents, meaning less property damage.
• Improved maintenance costs for vehicle fleets. 
• Reduced rush hour traffic, and alternate routes predicted for. 
• Better fuel and time expenses due to taking preventative journey paths - not just due to congestion but road conditions and other warnings received or emitted to other vehicles too.  
• People can use travel time more efficiently e.g. eating meals, preparing for events, or checking the emails, or sharing their favourite bottle of wine with friends as they drive up to the next night club, rather than getting stressed sitting in traffic.
• Parking will no longer be required, as passengers can be dropped off, while the vehicle finds the nearest available space to park in, and then return to pick up at request. 

Identified limitations/risks, as noted above, are the availability and accessibility of the product to consumers.  In addition to this, legislation must also comply with operation of the vehicle especially with the state that it is used in.  A total of 47 states are needed to support the legislation to allow driverless cars to operate in the United States of America before the vehicle can even be mass produced. Other countries would also need to comply.  In its early stages, I'd hate to think what the costs are for one of these vehicles.  More to follow on this. 

Here are some links to get you as excited as I am.......................

• http://wot.motortrend.com/google-autonomous-car-testing-fleet-adds-lexus-rx-450h-logs-300000-miles-245621.html
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Autonomous_car
• http://green.autoblog.com/2012/08/13/google-lexus-rx450h-driverless-fleet/
• http://www.marketplace.org/topics/tech/tech-report-blog/google-driverless-car-tops-300k-miles

11. Bionic Sight

Bionic contacts are used not just to benefit visual impairments, but adaptations see the lens acting as a flexible plastic platform for internet based applications surfing a virtual screen, taking gamers into virtual worlds.  It also monitors a patient’s medical state, as well as assessing a diabetic's glucose levels through the tear ducts (retrieved July 17, 2012 from http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/22731631/ns/technology_and_science-innovation/t/vision-future-seen-bionic-contact-lens/#.UB_xOE0gfSh). 

Current world economic and or business motivations
The bionic lenses feature equally in the medical market, as in the digital technological market too.  Researchers at the University of Washington, in Seattle recently declared that their bionic contact lenses aim to, "stream text and images right in front of their wearer's eyeballs, are 'safe and feasible,' reports  BBC News," where safety tests in rabbits have shown no negative impacts, therefore research will continue. (retrieved August 7, 2012 from http://www.technologyreview.com/view/426250/bionic-contact-lenses-point-to-a-heads-anywhere/).  

What will be the impact on the market place and their competitors?
At this stage the major market lies in the Medical industries and the Digital Technological industries.  It appears that the bionic contact lens receives competition as another technology relies on implanting a device into the retina instead.  Both technologies aim to produce the same result, for instance:

"Both could access the wireless Web to keep you connected to the world’s vast database of knowledge, wherever you are. Well, it’s come out that at least two companies hope to start selling bionic eyes in the U.S. within the next 16 months.  Neither of these designs is made to surf the Web. Instead, these cutting-edge breakthroughs could help millions of blind or visually impaired people to see again" http://beforeitsnews.com/economy/2012/08/bionic-eyes-could-make-blindness-a-thing-of-the-past-2446744.html (retrieved October 8, 2012).  

The implantation process involves a four hour surgery where an antenna is implanted behind the patients eye and connected to a special pair of glasses containing a video camera.  The video captured is sent to a small computer (worn by the patient), that transforms it into instructions that signal the glasses by a cable.  A light sensation is experienced and interpreted as visual patterns. 

"The prosthetic system requires roughly 60 tiny electrodes to work. And it isn't cheap. Second Sight doesn't mention the price on its website, but the tech press has said the system runs roughly $115,000.Clearly, that’s a serious operation and high price tag;" http://www.technologyreview.com/view/426250/bionic-contact-lenses-point-to-a-heads-anywhere/ (retrieved October 8, 2012).  

Alternately, the bionic revolution is merely at its infancy stages of development.  As technology develops it becomes smaller, in turn cheaper.  

"There's clearly a market for such a device. And while the thing still seems almost too fantastical to believe, researchers say it's inching towards reality" http://www.technologyreview.com/view/426250/bionic-contact-lenses-point-to-a-heads-anywhere/ (retrieved October 8, 2012). 

Second Sight Medical products appears to be one major competitor providing the means to implants, as opposed to a contact lens.  As recorded: 

"The venture-funded firm recently began selling its Argus II implants in Europe and hopes to enter the U.S. market soon (by the way, Argus was a giant with 100 eyes in Greek mythology).  Indeed, just three weeks ago, Second Sight said the FDA will review data next month from foreign clinical trials that began in 2007" http://beforeitsnews.com/economy/2012/08/bionic-eyes-could-make-blindness-a-thing-of-the-past-2446744.html (retrieved October 8, 2012).  

10. Augmented Reality T-Shirts a Blast!

Current fashion trends such as Augmented Reality (AR) T-shirts are currently making a statement as seen here http://www.augmentedrealitydesigns.com/t-shirts.html.  Any benefits or impacts to the market are their accessibility to consumers, affordability, and that they are entertaining.  On the other hand, these T-shirts only come alive when viewed through a tablet, iPad, or iPhone/smartphone. 

Any risks or limitations in wearing or viewing this AR t-shirt will merely be based on any technical issues. To further comment, previous investigations I'd conducted 19 September 2012 on Augmented Reality highlights technical issues with AR as highlighted below:

"Technical Issues with Augmented Reality 

Kruijff, Swan II, and Feiner (n.d.) provide an intensive list of perceptual issues in Augmented Reality related to the environment, capturing, augmentation, display, and individual user differences. More specifically, they are detailed as follows:

• Environmental issues are caused by the interaction between the environment and the augmentations. This includes problems with visibility related to the screen, such as size, reflections, and brightness, or colour and texture, as well as patterns that interfere. Depth ordering issues are the inability to correctly match the overlaid information to the real world, scene distortions, object relationships, augmentation identification, and surface perception. 
• Capturing issues relate to visual elements between the real world view matched with the layered digital imaging, “digitizing the environment in video see-through systems, and optical and illumination problems in both video see-through and optical see-through systems” (Kruijff, Swan II, and Feiner, n.d., p. 2.). 
• Display device issues are the technical issues associated with the display device such as the camera quality, and pixel density. 
• User issues are related to the user’s perception of the experience. For instance, some people would find it difficult to distinguish between real, augmented reality, and virtual reality"  (2012, Greenwood, retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://campus.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=203323).

So, what impact will these T-shirts have on the market place and their competitors?

Marketing campaigns can move AR from billboards to AR T-shirts to provide passive advertising.  For instance, users who may be filming or using their video's on their technological tools will also be passively viewing AR campaigns as a person wearing one of these T-shirts casually struts by. Who knows what else will come of them.... perhaps movie trailers?  

As mentioned earlier, in previous research I'd conducted, tourism has found some successes and innovative development to the industry as noted: 

"Digital technologies have widely assisted museums, and art galleries to display collections, historical simulations, preservation, exploration, and much more. The accessibility and portability of the devices that controls Augmented Reality, means we can take it outside while trekking in a bush, walking down the streets of Paris, or skydiving across Auckland City. Augmented Reality’s contributions towards the tourism industry are favourable, and well documented as highlighted below" (2012, Greenwood, retrieved October 8, 2012 from http://campus.openpolytechnic.ac.nz/moodle/mod/forum/discuss.php?d=203323

T-shirts are so easy to wear and one can have loads of fun through AR.  Who knows whether they will take AR that bit further, or whether they will be abandoned as just a fad.   The idea that they cannot be viewed through the naked eye is perhaps unfortunate, alternately, that you have to have a smartphone or tablet to view it may also be really cool.  

What do you think? Comments are welcome.