7 of the Most Exciting Technological Innovations of 2021

Table of Contents:

  1. Artificial Intelligence
  2. Advancement of 5G
  3. Graphene
  4. Blockchain
  5. Human Augmentation
  6. Edge Computing
  7. Automation Technology

As time passes, it would appear that technological advancements and innovations become increasingly pronounced. Not too long ago, artificial intelligence (AI) was just something in a science fiction movie but now, thanks to leaps and bounds in technological advancements, it has become a reality in this day and age. 

Technology is an ever-changing field of diversity and growth. What is considered phenomenal break through today could be seen as old news by tomorrow. And keeping up with all the changes can be quite the challenge. This is especially true in the past year, thanks to the necessity for change brought about by the pandemic. 

People have had to become far more reliant on technology than ever before and this has pushed the improvements and advanced technological innovations to greater heights. As technology evolves, it becomes crucial for us to be able to keep abreast of all the changes as well. 

While it can seem daunting at times to keep track of all the diverse advancements being made in the world of technology, it can also be increasingly exciting to be a part of a world that brings about so much change. It’s up to us to decide what we do with the time given to us – and technology specialists have decided to bring about a world of change. 

Life has hit us hard this past year, but it’s time to hit back with some of the most exciting technological innovations you can imagine! Following are seven of these innovations and why they’re considered to be so great. 

1. Artificial Intelligence

It is no secret that AI is a principle technological pioneer and it is destined to continue to break through barriers in the year ahead. Big tech companies are looking at pushing AI into greater heights in the fields of robotic, automated and contactless procedures.

For instance, think holographic meetings as well as personalized and on-demand manufacturing. Yes, AI is definitely going to be pushing towards greater break-through in the coming year and you’re going to need to hang on to your seat or be bowled over by the giant leaps of change that are coming. 

This year will see AI being embedded in existing devices in order to make certain operations not only quicker but also more precise. AI is definitely going to be one of the technologies that are going to transform how we live, play, and work in the near future. 

AI is also one of the technological innovations that will enable us to better manage and more effectively deal with any future health crises. It is estimated that the artificial intelligence market will reach in the area of 190 billion dollars by the year 2025. As AI continues to grow and spread its influence through all sectors, it could very well see a rise in job openings as well. 

2. The Advancement of 5G

Experts have predicted that this year will see substantial improvements and forward movement on the 5G ecosystem. It seems like only yesterday that we were still learning about and using 3G and now we have already bounded ahead to the advent of 5G. Not to mention that it has become such a pivotal point in all of the current and upcoming technological innovations.

5G is a necessary component for some of the biggest technological advancements in the industry. And this is the year when we can expect to see transformations taking place on a grand scale. Smart factories need 5G to connect their entire chain of product development, from design all the way through to distribution. 

One area where 5G will definitely register marked improvements is in the arena of healthcare. With 5G it will be possible to dramatically improve precision surgery, remote surgery and even physical therapy. Hospitals will be able to create better ways to keep track of and monitor patients through sensor networks that will track corresponding sensors in smart phones, wearable’s and other connected devices. 

Another benefit to 5G is that it will do away with the need for miles and miles of cables. With the incredible speed of 5G, we will be able to have work meetings that will no longer be cut off due to bad signal, video calls with family that will come through loud and clear without any pixilation in the video quality, and our children will be able to attend their virtual class meetings without any lag in the streaming …

Not to mention how that affects the entertainment industry! 

No more hours of waiting for movies to download, no more slow streaming speeds that mean pausing a movie a quarter of the way through while it loads. 5G brings with it speed, accuracy and connectivity that will blow your mind. Not to mention that 5G networks are destined to cover 40 percent of the world by the arrival of 2024.

3. Graphene

For technological advancements and innovation it is hardly necessary to look any further than the world of graphene. This material is considered to be the world’s strongest, thinnest and most conducive — of both electricity and heat.

Until recently, graphene was nothing more than a dream, but now it has become the future. 

Due to the fact that it is the world’s strongest material, it is used to enhance the strength of other materials. High-performance graphene based bio sensors have also been developed that will enable specialists to diagnose blood disorders by accurately detecting small amounts of thrombin in the blood.

Graphene technology is being used by Directa Plus to help prevent the spread of COVID-19 by creating masks that substantially slow the spread of the virus. The company has received a non-refundable grant that will help to enable them to complete their project research in the coming months.  

Graphene is not only strong, it is phenomenally flexible, which is what makes it such a huge addition to technology in both the portable electronics division as well as in the market of wearable technology. 

4. Blockchain

Blockchain technology is the term for a specific type of database that stores all its information in blocks that are then chained together. As soon as fresh data comes in, it is stored in a new block, which, when it is filled, will then be chained to the previous block, thus chaining all the data together in chronological order. 

While it is true that all sorts of different information can be stored in a blockchain, the most common use so far has been to act as a ledger for transactions. It is the goal of blockchain technology to allow all digital information to be recorded and distributed without being edited. 

Blockchain technology is most popular for its participation in the world of crypto currency. Bitcoin wouldn’t be where it is today without the use of blockchain technology. And we are likely to see its use grow in other industries such as sustainable sourcing, supply chains and also in the mining and metals sectors. 

Blockchain is indeed a revolutionary technology and paves the way for obliterating fraud completely, reducing risk and bringing about a transparency in a myriad of different uses. 

5. Human Augmentation

The area of human augmentation has become one in which massive leaps of progress have been made in the last few years and are expected to reach greater heights in the year to come. It is believed by many that the current year will mark the beginning of a new era and push us towards a reality that is powered by human augmentation technologies. 

Human augmentation is the combination of mechanics, electronics and biotechnology that are used in the enhancement of existing or lacking capabilities in humans by using either natural or artificial methods.

With the addition of 5G technology, human augmentation is finally able to make the breakthroughs everyone is waiting for, as it has been the missing key to bringing about the successful working of all autonomous devices. The year ahead will bring about a digital revolution in this area of human augmentation and it is well worth keeping an eye on!

6. Edge Computing

Edge computing was specifically designed to solve big data problems in a way that would make it possible to bypass the latency which is affecting Cloud Computing. It is predicted that edge computing will hit an inflection point in the current year ahead. The advent of 5G will also ensure a greater push towards edge computing than ever before. 

The added layer of security in edge computing really enhances the user’s experience as it is not dependent on a single point of storage or application but rather it distributes the processes across a vast array of devices. 

It has also been emerging as ever more important to business strategy and operations. We will definitely see a climb in the popularity and improvement of edge computing in the year to come. 

According to a report by Gartner, by the year 2025, 75 percent of all enterprise-generated data will be created and processed outside of a traditional data center or cloud. 

7. Automation Technology

Automation technology opens the door to improving organizational efficiency and will enable companies to focus on core processes as well as eliminate human error into the bargain. We will see a rise in social media automation during 2021 as businesses focus on online marketing and eCommerce. 

Advanced accounting automation will help businesses use software and digital tools that will introduce secure and speedy invoicing and transactions and will also eliminate the margin for error.

The same is true for comprehensive data reporting, which will make use of automated reporting systems that will provide fast and accurate reports to encourage and drive growth in the company. 

The End Is Only the Beginning …

The end of 2020 was rough, but we have now entered a new year and with it the beginning of great things. As each of the above technological innovations takes hold, we will see many improvements being made in the medical industry as well as in the manufacturing and engineering sectors. 
As always, if you’re needing more information on how to best take advantage of the exciting technology 2021 has to offer, consider reaching out to HelpCloud Technicians for remote support.

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About the author

Photo of Erik Fullmer

Erik Fullmer

Erik was raised in many places but has long since called Utah home. Rooted in mountains, he spends a lot of time with his dogs in the mountains and in the winter he skis… a lot.

Erik is actively earning the necessary certifications and training to become a certified AMGA Ski Guide.

With over a decade of content writing experience, Erik finds passion when writing for the tech and outdoor recreation industries.