13 technologies from the universe of "Star Trek," which became a reality

GPS-navigation

Star Trek

One of the most important technologies, without which the characters in the film could hardly have done, were transporters - material and energy converters, with which you can move in space over long distances. They work simply, object transformed into the energy pattern in the form of a beam directed to the target, and then converted back into matter. The conveyor was built technology that enables you to locate any member of the crew USS Enterprise.

Reality

We will not be difficult to determine his or someone else's location using any device, which is integrated satellite navigation system. Familiar GPS is the result of thirty years of work by leading world experts: in 1973 was initiated DNSS program, which later became known as GPS. In 1983, work began on the development of a satellite navigation system, and only in 1993 was put into orbit a satellite for the last complete coverage of the earth's surface.

Clamshell phone

Star Trek

Captain James Kirk walked with communicator

Which was used for voice communication between the starship crew members, as well as an alarm in an emergency. With the device could be contacted instantly anywhere in the universe, and the signal could bypass electromagnetic interference.

Reality

Meanwhile the device from "Star Trek" is very similar to phone-cot. Also it is known, however, that Martin Cooper, the inventor of the mobile phone, it got the idea of ​​this series. Modern devices, of course, can not violate the laws of physics, but the key role of communication and positioning accurately perform.

Smartwatch and anything less

Star Trek

For voice communication in USS Enterprise team not only used the portable device, which are explained above, but also a wrist communicator, which was located on the wrist. Heroes also used for communication badges.

Reality

It is difficult not to recognize that the design of modern smart watch is very reminiscent of communicators that heroes "Star Trek" were even 50 years ago, on their wrists. Today, this device also serves as a convenient substitute for cell phones. Looking ahead a bit, not to mention the device secretThat Google presented in 2015. According to Amit Singhal, who served as head of the research department, it became the prototype badges heroes "Star Trek."

bionic eye

Star Trek

The chief engineer of a starship USS Enterprise, Geordi La Forge, has been blind from birth, and wore a special device VISOR (a visual tool that replaces the organ of vision). This device has replaced his eyes and allows you to see everything in the electromagnetic spectrum. It looked like sunglasses, which were connected to the brain via the optic nerve. There is a downside: the device evoked Jordi constant headaches.

Reality

At first glance it may seem that resembles VISOR HoloLens, Google Glass or virtual reality goggles. In fact, very similar to the instrument bionic eye. This is an experimental device that allows the opportunity to restore the vision of people with partial or total blindness. First bionic eye has been successfully implanted in 2015. Lucky turned 80-year-old Briton Ray Flynn, who at that time was completely devoid of central vision.

The tablet

Star Trek

One of the most frequently mentioned devices, which were used by many races of the Galaxy - Personal Access Display Device (PADD). This portable terminal access to a computer system with a touch screen, built-in memory and computing power. It was used for the preparation of reports and other documents for various types of calculations, as well as access to the library's computer system.

Reality

Known story of Steve Jobs biography about how one of Microsoft employees was so obsessed with the idea of ​​creating a tablet with a stylus that motivated Steve to show "how to make tablets," and in 2010 the company presented the first Apple iPad. However, the first attempts to create the plates were taken more time to exit the series "Star Trek" in the 60s. Many years later, Doug Drexler, visual effects artist who has worked on films and serials media franchise, said that for him the amazing hand-held working PADD.

Video Calls

Star Trek

For a discussion of important issues Captain Kirk called many of the characters: friends, enemies, even Abraham Lincoln. Communication takes place by means of a large screen on the bridge.

Reality

For a discussion of the important issues we choose a computer with a monitor of any size tablet or phone and call via Skype. The very concept of video sharing has appeared in the 70s of the XIX century, but became really convenient way to communicate only with the advent of high-speed Internet, and cloud technologies.

3D-printer

Star Trek

For the creation and utilization of a variety of objects using characters replicator. It was intended for the synthesis of food, water and air that make life much easier on board the starship USS Enterprise. Further, this technology has been applied to the synthesis of ship spare parts, household items and even souvenirs.

Reality

Today we are familiar with a variety of devices that can re-create objects. History of 3D-printing is rooted in the 80-ies of XX century, when Chuck Hull invented the technology of rapid prototyping, which is called "stereolithography". It took 30 years, and we print food, transportation, toys - all on that fancy enough. For example, using kinect Fusion you can scan a person and print it on the thumbnails of 3D-printers.

Bluetooth-Headset

Star Trek

Senior communications officer Uhura USS Enterprise is often used wireless earpiece that allows it to respond quickly to threats to the ship and stay always connected.

Reality

The term Bluetooth - is an English translation of the Danish word for "Sinezubov", and the technology is named in honor of the Viking king Harald Bluetooth, who united the warring tribes in the Danish one state. The implication is that Bluetooth does the same with communications protocols, uniting them into one universal standard.

tricorder

Star Trek

Members of the USS Enterprise crew used handheld computer, by means of which the initial environmental analysis can be carried out of the environment. He scanned the landscape and alien residents, making starship crew could quickly find the necessary resources and biological materials.

Reality

On board the ISS small device used LOCADWhich can detect dangerous microorganisms. With the help of a variety of medical devices, we can scan the human body and establish an accurate diagnosis in 15 minutes (for example, using DNA lab Handheld DNA Lab, developed by QuantuMDx).

universal translator

Star Trek

When you travel in space and meet representatives of the many different races, is vital to the device with which you can communicate. The team starship Enterprise was Universal Translator UTWhich allowed to decipher and interpret other people's languages.

Reality

The first two systems of machine translation appeared in the mid-60s and at that time it was a non-working solution - because of too poor quality of the translation. It took 50 years, and we use online translators, without thinking that they are working on different algorithms. For example, the traditional translation is based on the rules it uses Russian service PROMT. The second translation algorithm based on statistics, and use services like "Yandex. Translator "and« Google Translator ". There is also a technology called "Translator Skype», which allows you to translate voice video calls into 7 languages.

phaser

Star Trek

Phaser - the most common energy weapon in the galaxy, which allows you to paralyze or stun the enemy to split into atoms. Thanks to him, a starship USS Enterprise crew was safely protected.

Reality

In fact, a tool for stunning by electric current was patented in 1852 and was to be used to control the cattle, but forgot about it for 100 years. After the release of "Star Trek" Taser appeared in the world.

clever helpers

Star Trek

Onboard computer USS Enterprise could answer any question and had a pleasant female voice (which, by the way belongs to the creator of the series Gene Roddenberry's wife). Similar systems have been equipped with many ships of the Galaxy.

Reality

Just 10 years ago, we thought that the creation of such a system is impossible. And today we can easily communicate with the personal assistant Siri or Cortana. By the way, it became known in 2014 that these systems capable of passing the Turing testWhose purpose - to answer the question: "Can a machine think?"

transparent aluminum

Star Trek

Engineer ship Scotty invented a completely new material, which is stronger and much easier Plexiglas, and called it "transparent aluminum".

Reality

In the XXI century it was patented Aluminum oxynitride ALONWhich is a transparent solid ceramic mass and 4 times stronger than toughened glass. Perhaps this is one of the most unexpected fantasies, which is put into practice.

What can I say? The future is already here!