• Question: what do think will happen in 30 years from now?

    Asked by 20proslayer02 to Alessandra, Dimitrios, Niamh, Becky, Stacey, Tony on 15 Jun 2017. This question was also asked by 324smaj27.
    • Photo: Stacey Marple

      Stacey Marple answered on 15 Jun 2017:

      Hi, well I’m probably not as good as George Orwell at predicting the future but I hope we have used engineering to make the world a better more sustainable place. I am interested in new research developing neural interfaces to help people with limb loss and memory problems particularly allowing them to operate robotic limbs. Maybe in the future we can help people walk again using robotics and their minds. I would like to see 100% renewable energy, improved world sanitation and the ability to explore more of space.

    • Photo: Niamh Ryall

      Niamh Ryall answered on 16 Jun 2017:

      Good question. We’ve done some good work in improving the planet but we’ve got a lot more to do. I like to think we will have renewable energy and a way to sequester what we’ve already put into the environment. Maybe we will help countries protect natural environments. In 30 years, we should have accomplished most of a shift to renewable energy, under our climate commitments. I hope that we find a way to protect the oceans, in particular coral and clean up the air. Most of the population of the world will be urban, about 70% will live in cities so we’ll have to come up with ways for people to move and live good lives in cities. Our diagnostics will improve massively over the next few years. We also have the massive challenge of antibiotic resistance to tackle so hopefully we can learn a thing or two from nature.

    • Photo: Tony Anson

      Tony Anson answered on 16 Jun 2017:

      Predicating the future is a dangerous game. What I would say is that the World will be a very different place; I base this on what has happened in the last 30 years, importantly things like the internet, the capacity of a modern computer, the developments in global transportation and consequently, the movement of people.
      I’m sure there will be new, or at least developments in personal and industrial automation, things we would find difficult to imagine right now. I would suggest that some of the global medical problems that afflict us will have much better solutions or possibly cures; things like cancer, Altzheimers, cardiovascular disease. However, many of the future developments will generate their own problems, in other words, population increases, many more older people and the burden that this brings to health service providers. The future also brings the issue of Global warming and other associated ecological problems. The politician and leaders around the world really need to make their minds up on this point !

    • Photo: Alessandra Treviso

      Alessandra Treviso answered on 23 Jun 2017:

      Uhm, I think we will have explored Mars a bit more and probably started setting up colonies on the Moon (I am a big Sci-fi fan, sorry!).
      On Earth, I think our lives will be pervaded by devices tat can track our life style, activites and so forth. A bit like now but probably spread to all aspects of life. Which I find a bit scary to be honest. I actually wish we could let some technology let go and own more our lives. I truly believe that in some fields wwe don’t need that much electronics. Also, sometimes mechanical systems are more reliable and can be repaired more easily.

Comments

  • Photo: 264smaj48

    264smaj48 commented on :

    I really admire you for have the aspiration to do this. I want to be a neuron surgeon and to be able to find away for the robotic limbs to react to pain and have that register and connect to the brain.

  • Photo: Stacey

    Stacey commented on :

    I think that would be a great career and an admirable ambition. Good Luck.