
What will the hot, new tech of tomorrow be like? As a general rule, we need look no further than the cool tech of today’s military. It is the closest thing we have to a fulfillment of the biblical prophecy that swords will be beaten into plowshares. Unfortunately for the prophecy, we just keep making newer, better swords. All military tech is designed to facilitate blowing things up, right? Not really, but it is comforting to know that at the very least those tools eventually enter the civilian techosphere to facilitate better, fuller, happier lives.
It is almost certain that the Swiss army did not anticipate their multi-function pocket knives becoming the hottest dad gift of a generation. Yet today, what boy-scout pack is complete without one? Other sword-to-plowshare tech includes:
1. GPS
2. Duct tape
3. Freeze drying
4. Epipens
5. Microwave ovens
What will tomorrow’s civilians make of today’s military tech? To get some idea, lets take a look at some of the coolest gadgets intended for the military:
Praselater
I know, I know, It sounds like something from a bad sci-fi movie. But if you think good TV instead of bad movie, what you have is an early version of the Universal Translator from Star Trek. Talk to a person in your language, and they will hear it in their language. Right now, it is being used to say things like, “Put your hands over your head and don’t make any sudden moves!” Eventually, it will be used for asking, “Where’s the restroom?” and “How fresh is the squid?”
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