The 21st century is rapidly transforming into a sci-fi world with driverless cars, generative AI, and plans for Mars colonization becoming a reality. Brigham Young University researcher Daniel Smalley believes that science fiction inspires real-life technological advancements. He and his team are working on recreating the Princess Leia projection from ‘Star Wars’ using directional display technology.
‘Star Wars’ has also influenced technology in advanced prosthetics, space exploration, and robotics, such as the humanoid robot R2 on the International Space Station. ‘Star Trek’ has inspired mobile phones, tablet computers, and 3D printing, with Martin Cooper developing the first cellphone after being inspired by Captain Kirk’s communicator. Smalley’s lab is working on creating a holodeck from ‘Star Trek,’ which presents challenges due to computing power limitations.
Terraforming, as discussed in Frank Herbert’s novel ‘Dune,’ is another concept that has inspired real-world research. Gary King’s work at Louisiana State University aims to terraform Mars using photosynthesizing bacteria to introduce oxygen into the atmosphere. The novel’s idea of manipulating sound as a weapon, known as ‘Voice,’ has also been explored in academic research around audio holography, tying back to the potential weaponization of sound.
Overall, science fiction continues to influence and inspire researchers and scientists to create groundbreaking technologies that were once imaginary but are now becoming a reality in the 21st century.
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