There are a lot of things sci-fi has predicted. The internet, mobile phones and even automatic sliding doors were all anticipated or inspired by the technology used in science fiction. It’s not surprising when you think about it. Kids who read sci-fi tend to be more interested in science and technology. When they get older, they study and become the designers, developers and manufacturers of technology. Then they spend all their time trying to make the cool tech they saw in the sci-fi they loved real. But it works the other way, too. Science fiction authors often study current technology and social trends to predict how we will use technology and how that will impact us in the future. So in a way, modern technology is inspired by sci-fi and then in turn inspires future generations of scientists and inventors.
Ultimately, it doesn’t matter which causes the other because we all get to benefit from the results. If you want more proof, then check out these 5 ways sci-fi has come to life.
A mining tycoon is building robot Jurassic Park.
Jurassic Park was a novel and film series that explored the dangers inherent in biologists playing God. They used ancient DNA to clone dinosaurs, even the ones that would have eaten humans, and they collected them all in a theme park.
Most people looked at that idea and thought, “why would we want an eating machine like the T. rex back?” But mining tycoon Chris Palmer has plans to open the biggest dinosaur-themed park in the world, complete with robotic dinosaurs that can roam free.
If you think this is just a one-off flight of fancy, Palmer has a history of looking at projects that seem to have inevitably tragic yet ironic consequences and thinking they would be good ideas. He is, after all, the man who bankrolled Titanic II.
Self-driving cars like the Batmobile in the Dark Knight series are almost ready for the road.
Unlike dinosaur theme parks, self-driving cars have always seemed like a pretty great idea – at least in theory. After all, the vast majority of accidents are caused by human error, be it falling asleep at the wheel, driving under the influence or simply becoming distracted by talking to your passengers. Everyone seems to agree that if you could largely take the human element out of driving, it would be a whole lot safer. The only problem is that the technology hasn’t been reliable enough for us to risk our lives on its properly functioning.
Well, that should be that the technology wasn’t reliable enough. Today, computers are so sophisticated that they actually can drive cars. They can monitor speeds, respond to weather and road conditions, make sure there is enough space around a car and even take evasive action if need be. Google in particular has been spearheading the development of this technology, and driverless cars are legal – again, in theory – in the US states of Florida, California and Nevada already. Generally legislation states that a human needs to be able to take control of the vehicle if need be, but already most people are imagining a world where the elderly can get around more easily, drunk driving is a thing of the past and everyone can relax and enjoy themselves during long journeys.
Prototype jet packs are being tested in New Zealand.
Jet packs have featured heavily in sci-fi since sci-fi has been considered its own genre. It has featured in early comics, pulp novels, films, TV shows and more. After all, what could be more liberating than a personal flying device that allows you to really feel like a bird, with the wind whipping through your hair and the ground a distant memory?
Well, many industries think they have need for jet packs, not least the military, and they have been attempting to develop them since the early twentieth century. Finally, one has been built and has been granted an experimental flight permit by the New Zealand Civil Aviation Authority. Built by Glenn Martin, the pack took 30 years of designing and tinkering to become flight-ready, and once it is ready to be sold, it will cost between £90,000-£160,000. Still, it is real, and you may technically have the chance to buy it soon.
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The Aliens Power Loader is making today’s workers and soldiers stronger.
The Aliens Power Loader is an iconic piece of sci-fi kit. It was first seen in the sequel to Alien, when Ridley uses it to gain superhuman strength. This extra boost helps her defeat the Queen of the aliens and survive.
Never ones to say no to a good robot-human hybrid, scientists have been developing something similar, called a robotic exoskeleton. The exoskeleton fits to the outside of the body, but it takes most of the weight and force needed for certain activities. In that way, a person could lift many times more than his or her own body weight. This could revolutionise the construction and military industries, and it could also bring movement back to those who have become paralysed. Hopefully no one will have to use them to defeat murderous aliens, though.
Bionic limbs, like those of the Six Million Dollar Man, are getting increasingly sophisticated.
Bionic limbs have always seemed just within our reach. Even back in the 70s, writers and scientists were sure we’d figure out a way to use machinery to replace certain body parts. Now, we can. Most bionics work by connecting nerves in the body to sensors in the bionic limb. The person with the bionic limb sends a signal to their nerves (just like your body does when you move), which triggers an action in the device.
Today, we have bionic legs, cochlear implants that help some deaf people hear and artificial hearts. We also have bionic hands that function almost as well as real hands, which has been a real challenge, given how complex our hand movements are. The company leading the way in the bionic hand arena is a Scottish organisation called Touch Bionics. They specialise in bionic hands in particular, and since launching the first commercially available bionic hand, their i-Limb Hand, they have fitted more than 1200 devices on people from around the world.
Though bionics is still a new field of science and medicine, enough breakthroughs have happened that in just a few years, we may all know people with robot parts. In fact, you might already know someone like that now.
These are just 5 ways sci-fi has come to life, but there are many more examples. What is your favourite sci-fi inspired modern technology? What would you want to bring to life from your favourite sci-fi stories?
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