Predicting the future is notoriously difficult and just because of this, accurate prediction is always highly appreciated. In 1960’s, Englishman Leon Bagrit predicted some of the uses of computers which we know today. Of course Mrs. Bagrit was not able to describe internet, not mention Facebook. Even most wise people will not be able to mention details. Thus it is wise to predict what is coming and what is gone pretty soon. I would like to make a prediction about what technologies will dominate our living in 5 years and this kind of prediction can be tested before we wait too long.
No.1: google glasses. Start: at the end of 2012; peak: in 2 years.
Google glass integrates GPS and website surfing etc. It will be released by the end of 2012 at 1500$. If Google glass is powerful enough in future, it will probably replace smartphone for sure.
No.2: 3D printing. Start: currently available; peak: in 4 years.
The Bond’s elegant car blew up in recent 007 movie Skyfall was actually produced by 3D printing technology. No doubt that 3D printing is so popular and will be much more popular because you can make a big difference by making your dreams come true though 3D printing.
No.3: Personal genome sequencing. Start: available right now; peak: in 5 years.
If you were told that your whole genome sequence information can be acquired at a cost of 1000$, are you going to do that? The National Human Genome Research Institute has set a target to sequence a human-sized genome for US$100,000 by 2009 and US$1,000 by 2014. Currently, human exome (DNA sequence encoding proteins) ssequencing costs only 1000$ and whole genome sequencing costs 6500$ by some companies. In a conference I was told that 2500$ is enough for individual genome sequencing. So I believe that by 2014, we will have 1000$ genome sequencing. However, obtaining information relevant to individual’s health from genome information maybe cost much more than 1000$. Nevertheless, personal genome sequencing will become a big market. Finding your own secret in your body is cool, isn’t it?
