7 ms·

There are a few things that I thought we would (should) have in the mainstream based on science encyclopedias of long ago: 1. Spaceplane - this was a big thing

There are a few things that I thought we would (should) have in the mainstream based on science encyclopedias of long ago: 1. Spaceplane - this was a big thing a while back and is no longer talkeda bout. Military needs are what drove the technology for airliners, and there is no longer a need for aircraft crews. So they built missile-like X planes instead. 2. Ocean thermal energy conversion - Is a big tower that sits in the ocean and grabs energy from the differences in water temp. This was on the cover of one of those kid's future science books. It hasn't been built that I know of. 3. Robotic crop harvesting - I don't think these are here yet 4. Bipedal robots - I think we are almost there but again, there are more practical designs for military purposes. 5. Robotic surgery, tele-presence surgery - not sure if this is a thing yet.

kylebennett 11y ago
> 2. Ocean thermal energy conversion - Is a big tower that sits in the ocean and grabs energy from the differences in water temp. This was on the cover of one of those kid's future science books. It hasn't been built that I know of. There are demonstration units in existence, but other forms of energy are still too cheap for now. > 3. Robotic crop harvesting - I don't think these are here yet There are tech school programs for GPS controlled combines in the Midwest. Its been around for about 10 years. > 4. Bipedal robots - I think we are almost there but again, there are more practical designs for military purposes. Boston dynamics has this nailed down. Google acquired them last year, along with 9 other major robotics firms, and are slowly discontinuing certain military contracts if I understand correctly. > 5. Robotic surgery, tele-presence surgery - not sure if this is a thing yet. This already exists. In fact, there was a TED talk in 2013 regarding a telesurgical robot that gave haptic feedback with approximate pressures of that area. Can't recall the presenter's name.

kylebennett 11y ago

> 2. Ocean thermal energy conversion - Is a big tower that sits in the ocean and grabs energy from the differences in water temp. This was on the cover of one of those kid's future science books. It hasn't been built that I know of. There are demonstration units in existence, but other forms of energy are still too cheap for now. > 3. Robotic crop harvesting - I don't think these are here yet There are tech school programs for GPS controlled combines in the Midwest. Its been around for about 10 years. > 4. Bipedal robots - I think we are almost there but again, there are more practical designs for military purposes. Boston dynamics has this nailed down. Google acquired them last year, along with 9 other major robotics firms, and are slowly discontinuing certain military contracts if I understand correctly. > 5. Robotic surgery, tele-presence surgery - not sure if this is a thing yet. This already exists. In fact, there was a TED talk in 2013 regarding a telesurgical robot that gave haptic feedback with approximate pressures of that area. Can't recall the presenter's name.