Gadget Trends 2024: What’s Hot and What’s Next in Technology
Every year, a new wave of technological advancements emerges that capture our attention and fundamentally alter the way we work, play, and live. The world of technology is once again ablaze with ground-breaking discoveries as we enter 2024. Future wearables and futuristic smart home appliances are just a few of the exciting technological innovations that the upcoming year looks to bring forth. Let’s explore the fascinating “What’s Hot and What’s Next” in the world of technology for the year 2024.
1. AI All Around
In organisations, artificial intelligence is now a genuine thing. Not a code Any business can use artificial intelligence to harness its potential and produce more intelligent products and services thanks to its user-friendly drag-and-drop interfaces.
This trend is already evident in the retail industry. Stitch Fix uses algorithms powered by artificial intelligence to suggest clothing to its customers based on their preferences and size charts.
In 2024, contactless, driverless shopping and delivery will likewise be quite popular. Customers will find it simpler to pay for and get goods and services because to artificial intelligence. Additionally, almost every position in every industry’s business process will benefit from artificial intelligence.
Convenience trends like buy-online-pickup-at-curbside (BOPAC), buy-online-pickup-in-store (BOPIS), and buy-online-return-in-store (BORIS) will become commonplace as more retailers turn to artificial intelligence to manage and automate the intricate inventory management processes that take place behind the scenes.
The newest autonomous delivery programmes that retailers are testing and implementing will also be powered by artificial intelligence, and in order to perform their duties, an increasing number of retail employees will need to get used to interacting with machines.
2. Certain Metaverse Elements Will Actually Happen
Although I don’t really like the term “metaverse,” it’s come to stand for a more immersive version of the internet where we can interact, work, and play on a continuous platform.
By 2030, experts estimate that the metaverse will boost the world economy by $5 trillion. The metaverse’s trajectory for the ensuing ten years will be determined in 2024.
The fields of virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) will develop further. One thing to keep an eye on is the metaverse workplace; by 2024, I think we’ll have more immersive gathering spaces where we can collaborate, brainstorm, and co-create.
In reality, metaverse systems for working together on digital projects are already being developed by Nvidia and Microsoft.
In the next year, more sophisticated avatar technologies will also be available. Our virtual representation of ourselves in the metaverse, or avatar, may resemble us perfectly, and motion capture technology will even allow our avatars to mimic our distinct motions and body language.
Additionally, autonomous avatars with artificial intelligence capabilities that can represent us in the metaverse even when we’re not signed in may continue to advance.
Businesses are currently conducting onboarding and training utilising metaverse technologies like AR and VR, and in 2024, this trend will pick up speed. The Nth Floor, a metaverse setting, has already been developed by consulting firm Accenture. The Accenture offices in this virtual world are exact duplicates of the real ones, so both new hires and existing staff may complete HR-related duties without having to visit an actual office.
3. Web3 advancements
2024 will see a major advancement in blockchain technology as more businesses produce decentralised goods and services.
For instance, everything is currently stored on the cloud. However, if we decentralise data storage and use blockchain technology to encrypt that data, not only will our information be safer, but we will also have creative new methods to access and analyse it.
In the coming year, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) will have increased utility and practicality. For instance, you might be able to enjoy backstage experiences and artefacts if you purchase NFT concert tickets. NFTs may be contracts we sign with third parties or they may be the keys that allow us to interact with many of the digital goods and services we purchase.
4. Linking the Real and Digital Worlds
The gap between the digital and real worlds is already beginning to close, and in 2024 this trend will only get stronger. This union consists of two parts: 3D printing and digital twin technologies.
Digital twins are secure digital environments for testing new ideas. They are virtual simulations of real-world operations, processes, or products. In order to test under every scenario without incurring the exorbitant expenditures of in-person research, designers and engineers are employing digital twins to replicate physical objects inside virtual environments.
After testing in a virtual environment, engineers can modify and adjust parts, and then use 3D printing technology to produce them in the actual world.
For instance, in order to track how cars change throughout races, Formula 1 teams presently gather data relayed from sensors during races, along with race track temperatures and meteorological conditions. Next, they simulate scenarios to make impromptu design modifications by streaming data from the sensors to digital twins of the engines and other automotive components. Based on the outcomes of their testing, the teams then 3D print automotive components.
5. A More Modifiable Nature
We shall live in a world where materials, plants, and even people can be edited to change. We will be able to produce materials with entirely new properties thanks to nanotechnology, such water resistance and self-healing capabilities.
Although CRISPR-Cas9 has been available for a while, gene editing technology will advance in 2024, enabling us to modify DNA and so “edit nature.”
Gene editing functions similarly to word processing, allowing you to add and remove words, but with genes instead of words. Gene editing can be used to improve crop health, treat food allergies, fix DNA mutations, and even modify human features like eye and hair colour.
6. The Quantum Advancement
There is now a global competition underway to build large-scale quantum computing.
A technological advance known as quantum computing is predicted to enable computers that can process and store data at speeds up to a trillion times faster than the fastest current conventional processors. This is because it makes use of subatomic particles to produce new methods of processing and storing information.
Any country that develops quantum computing at scale runs the risk of breaking the encryption of other countries, businesses, security systems, and more. This is because quantum computing has the ability to render our existing encryption procedures obsolete. In 2024, as nations like the US, UK, China, and Russia invest heavily in the advancement of quantum computing technology, this is a trend to closely monitor.
7. Developments in Green Technology
Limiting our carbon emissions to address the climate problem is one of the world’s most pressing issues at the moment.
Expect more developments in the field of green hydrogen in 2024. Green hydrogen is a novel clean-burning energy source with nearly low greenhouse gas emissions. The first significant green pipeline is being built by two significant European energy corporations, Shell and RWE, from wind farms in the North Sea.
Additionally, the development of decentralised electricity systems will advance. With the help of this concept, distributed energy generation may supply power even in the event that the main grid is unavailable by utilising a network of tiny power producers and storage that are situated in individual homes or communities. Large gas and energy firms now control most aspects of our energy system, but decentralised energy projects have the ability to democratise power globally while reducing carbon emissions.
8. Robots Will Adapt to Human Behaviour
By 2024, robots will resemble humans even more, both in terms of appearance and functionality. In the actual world, these robots will serve as elderly people’s companions, bartenders, greeters at events, and concierges. Alongside humans in production and logistics, they will also carry out intricate duties in factories and warehouses.
A business is making great efforts to develop a robot that can operate in our homes and resemble a person. Elon Musk unveiled two Optimus humanoid robot prototypes at Tesla AI Day in September 2024 and announced that the business would be accepting orders in the following three to five years. The robot can carry out basic duties like watering plants and lifting objects, so maybe in the not too distant future, we’ll be able to hire “robot butlers” to assist us around the house.
9. Advancements in Self-Driving Systems
Company executives will keep advancing the development of autonomous systems, especially in the areas of logistics and distribution. Numerous warehouses and industries have already attained full or partial autonomy.
By 2024, delivery robots, self-driving cars, and ships will all be significantly more commonplace. Additionally, a growing number of companies and warehouses will be using autonomous technology.
Thousands of autonomous robots are used by British online grocery store Ocado to sort, lift, and move items in its highly automated warehouses. Ocado bills itself as “the world’s largest dedicated online grocery retailer.” AI is also used in the warehouse to arrange the most popular things so that the robots can easily reach them. The autonomous technology that powers Ocado’s successful warehouses is currently being extended to other grocery retailers by the firm.
10. Enhanced Eco-Friendly Technology
In 2025, there will be a final push towards greener technology. The majority of us are dependent on technology, including computers, tablets, and smartphones, but where do the parts needed to make our favourite devices come from? There will be a greater awareness of the origins of rare earth components and our consumption patterns related to items like computer chips.
Additionally, we use cloud services, such as Netflix and Spotify, which continue to operate in big data centres that use enormous quantities of electricity.
In 2024, there will be a persistent drive to increase supply chain transparency as customers want more sustainable and energy-efficient goods and services for their money.
One thing is certain as we excitedly await the release of these innovative devices: the technology environment of 2024 is rife with opportunity and promise. These innovations have the power to change our connection with technology and influence the future, whether it is through improving our everyday lives or pushing the envelope of what is feasible. Prepare yourself for an exciting voyage into the future, where creativity has no limits.
