Nanorobotics is the technology of creating machines or robots at or close to the scale of a nanometre (10-9 metres). although it sounds cool, it is currently being used in medicine industry, to make synthetic drugs and other chemicals – a field currently dominated in the chemical background. But what would happen if you mixed it with the mechatronics, computer science, and sociological fields to progress ‘nanorobotics’ in the near future ? without it being limited to one (medical) field?
Here are some fields where nanorobotics will progressively disrupt the field entirely, for good.:
Virtual reality & Augmented reality [VR,AR]
Internet connectivity (linked with my previous 5g & internet of things blogpost)
Smart clothes, and protective gears
Travel & Assistance
In the VR and AR fields, interactions will be holographic and interactive, with real floating in air 3D micro-bits (voxels) that you can pass through, without the need of wearing an entire headset (because, its tough to wear a helmet in home in the first place) . This will change the meaning of virtual conferences, and maybe in-person schoolwork[when you are absent]. this, combined with 5G IOTs will absolutely change what we consider the internet. Maybe by then today’s phones would be a vintage technology, and with cloud computing (which will literally be in the cloud) life will be different.
on the other side, there might be a unique rise in fashion, where protective bullet resistant clothing might be the norm, and yet thinner than regular counterparts, with self-healing properties that can stitch itself back into existence, and inform you about your health. Of course cloud computing is included. In case of any unforeseen meteorite aiming at you, the cloth can very well resurrect a shield around you, like a force field. Sounds mythical, but if you watch this video (And you should infact right now): >> Microsoft Mesh << then 15 years ago, it would be magic! Time to host a Jedi council meeting and dress up as Iron Man Mk.50.
Now while the ability to summon a furniture out from thin air sounds like witchcraft, summoning a car would be cool! and technically.. free?, well, on the plus side, self driving, and no more parking. You can even summon up a totally real-virtual probably sentient AI to talk to or ask for directions or etc. it will take place in the future so i’ll leave that for the next generation to decide.
Although all of the above ideologies sounds fascinating, It wont appear out of thin air by tomorrow. These new technologies takes time and effort to even design, let alone build, it in the first place, but sooner or later Nanorobotics will arrive and change everything and become a necessity, just like farming, metallurgy, mechanics, economics, technology, internet, and now: nanorobotics. Estimated arrival of this technology: 2034
(header image : psu robotics club)
You’re telling me, one day I’ll be able to walk around in my very own Iron Man suit?! EPIC! If I’m being entirely honest, nanorobots rimind me of bugs and bugs creep me out, so I’m having a little trouble picturing this nanorobot future without squirming a little. I think its pretty cool how they’re already starting to revolutionize the medical field. I feel bad for the kids of the future… it sounds like nanorobots may get rid of any excuse any child could have for missing class, and they’ll never experience the joy of getting a day off – whether that be from skipping, or a doctors appointment or a vacation. Getting to hold a meeting at work that looks like a jedi council, with all the holograms, would be pretty cool though!
I had heard of nanotechnology being used in medical fields but I did not really consider the possibilities for it in other industries. If I could I would definitely wear nanobots so I could feel like Iron Man. I also did not realize how close this technology is to being readily available. If we will have this technology by 2034 it will be more widespread just a few days later. Great post!
Hi Samarth!
2034 seems really close for this kind of technology! It’s a little scary to think that society will be completely changed by this emerging technology so soon, but it is also exciting. I got major Star Wars vibes from your discussion on this new technology. I couldn’t help but picture the Jedi council meetings and the schematics of different planets and ships when the characters were planning something. It will be interesting to see how this tech fits in with our daily lives and how the government plans to limit the tech for safe and non-criminal use. Great post!