Future Frontiers in Science and Technology

ICCA Congress – Puerto Rico – October 22nd 2012

Rohit Talwar – CEO - Fast Future Research

Stepping into Opportunity

• Human Enhancement

• Waste

• Food

• Nature

• Robots

‘Future Proofed’ Organisations Work on 3 Horizons in Parallel

4-10+ Years

Creating the Future

1-3 Years

Drive for Growth

1-12 Months

Operational Excellence

Human Enhancement

Enhancement is Not New

Our Expectations are Evolving

NBIC Convergence is Catalyst

'The human species can, if it wishes, transcend itself‘

- “Transhumanism” by Julian Huxley (1957)

Technology Chemical

Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Machine-Augmented Minds

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Trans-Cranial Direct Current Stimulation (tDCS)

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

tDCS – Making Us Smarter

DARPA - Better at video games Harvard – Treating depression

USAF – Enhanced training Where next?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

GoFlow – Low Cost Home tDCS Kit

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Brain-Machine Interfaces – Restoring Mobility

The BrainGate sensor taps into brain activity to control the robotic arm

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Brain-Machine Interfaces – Helping the Speech Impaired

The iBrain headset retransmits brainwave activity wirelessly to a computer

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Thought / Memory Transfer

Exoskeletons

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Exoskeletons – Restoring Mobility

Completed race in 16 days, using a 40lb exoskeleton strapped to her legs

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Exoskeletons – Making Us Stronger

4 pneumatic artificial muscles exerting up to 30 kilograms of instant support

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Sarcos XOS 2 – Super Solider

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Touch Bionics - iLimb

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

The Machines Inside Us?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Nanoparticles

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Personalised Medicine

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Smart Drugs: Changing How We Feel and Learn

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Off-Label Use

• 17% of students in some US universities have admitted to taking Ritalin, a drug designed to treat hyperactive children, to improve their concentration and maximise their learning power.

• A survey of 1,400 adults carried out by Nature found that one in five said they had taken Ritalin, Modafinil or beta-blockers to stimulate focus, concentration or memory.

Modafinil Ritalin

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Blocking Rage

Researchers have identified and been able to shut down a brain receptor that malfunctions in overly hostile mice, and which also exists in humans.

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Smart Drugs: The Future?

A sharp mind and memory for life?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Targeted Effects / Mood Selection

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Risks and Consequences

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Mind Hacking?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Behavioural Influence?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

The New ‘Synthetic’ Human Biology

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Growing Body Parts

2011: The World’s First Synthetic Organ Transplant - A Windpipe

Coated in the patient’s own cells, so no problem of rejection.

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

3D Printed Body Parts

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Augmented Genetics

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

The End of Obesity?

By knocking out genes that code for certain metabolic proteins, scientists have been able to make mice that stay slim no matter how much food they ate.

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

DIY Genetics?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Tomorrow’s Athletes?

Technology Chemical Biological Manufacturing Genetics

Consequences – Radical Life Extension

The Path to Transhumanism?

What Will It Mean To Be Human?

Waste Recycling

Dining – Smart Food and Edible Packaging

Seawater Farming

The Park Supermarket Farm

Biomimicry

Kingfisher-Train

Japanese Bullet Trains

Mercedes-Benz Bionic Car

Self-cleaning Glass

Bio- Engineered Architecture?

Grown Homes

The Fab Tree Hab

Robotics

Political – Military Uses

Social - Sex and Society

Cultural - Reactions to Robots

Economic – Robots at Work

Economic – Robots at Work

NEXTAGE: $90 000 – Smartphone Assembly

Economic – SwarmbotsKiva Systems:

Amazon invested $775m

Economic– Robots at Work

General Purpose robots by 2022 for $25000?

Social – Sex & Society

Roxxxy by True Companion $7,000

Social Sphere – Sex & Society

Political - Military Uses

Political Sphere - Military UsesCyborg Beetle

DARPA Hybrid Insect Micro Electromechanical Systems project – ~$300 ‘biological robot’ Rhinoceros Beetle

Political Sphere - Military Uses

Cultural Sphere – Reactions to Robots

Thank You

rohit@fastfuture.com

www.fastfuture.com