Throughout this module, I had learnt a whole list of issues regarding today's technology and the list isn't even exhaustive. From sustainable technologies to information technology, the evolution of technology is definitely one of the biggest impression mankind has made on earth. Content-wise, I truly gained insights in many industries such as energy, biotechnology etc, understanding their history, their current applications and influences made for future world change. We also looked into emerging and future technologies and how there is a need to employ techniques to assess and forecast. Skills-wise, I learnt more about presentation skills, critical-thinking skills, as well as teamwork and collaboration, through working in teams for our group Web-report as well as learning how to write a professional report, which I felt was a good training for the future years to come. TWC is definitely a very relevant module to the world today, where the concepts I had learnt are pertinent to everyday life applications as well as in businesses. I had learnt much and had a truly fruitful experience during the entire course. Also, thank you to Prof. Shahi, for your guidance, as well as Victor, our TA, for his helpful advice! Cheers!
Friday 15 November 2013
Presentation weeks! (Session 11 and 12)
“Wisdom alone
is true ambition's aim,
wisdom is
the source of virtue and of fame;
obtained
with labour, for mankind employed,
and then,
when most you share it, best enjoyed.”
- Alfred
North Whitehead -
I particularly like the quote above. In other words,
you’ll make the biggest difference if you share your wisdom and insights with
others. This quote is relevant to the two presentation weeks we have for the
last two sessions of the module. By sharing what we learnt and applied to the
class, it builds a collaborative setting for one and all to learn from each
other J
Presentations:
1.
Futuristic buildings
I really like this group presentation
on Futuristic buildings! What a great way to kickstart presentations week with
their self-built model to take on the concept of underwater living in the
future due to land scarcity, given growing populations. With increasing
urbanization, there is undeniably a sacrifice made between the environment and
economic growth, leading to the drastic drop in vegetation in the world, which
are being replaced by tall skyscrapers and buildings. Therefore, it is a good
to restore this by incorporating nature into these futuristic buildings. The group
proposed sustainable technologies in these buildings as well. I really like the
following two innovations: transparent solar cells and space solar station.
Currently, solar panels are usually built on roofs of buildings to capture the
maximum amount of light in the day but with transparent solar cells, these
cells can be incorporated as a layer outside the windows for example and
capture energy without blocking out the view outside. A win-win situation, I must
say. Space solar station, which is still undergoing development in Japan is
also a useful invention. Currently, solar panels are dependent on the seasonal
weather but with Japan’s emerging innovation, this consideration is eliminated.
The solar stations which consist of geostationary satellites sitting 36 thousand
km above the Earth, would transmit collected energy back down to Earth in the
form of laser beams or microwaves. The last point on I want to touch on is
underwater living spaces, which is pretty related to Glenda’s individual
presentation. I believe that this new living spaces will definitely create a
new diversity of jobs underwater. Wave action can also be utilized as a
sustainable form of energy to power the spaces underwater. However, one
important aspect that needs to be look into is safety. There ought to be
comprehensive and feasible plans on how to deal with emergency evacuation for
example.
2.
Clean technologies
The group covered a wide scope on
clean technologies, covering various renewable energy sources such as biofuels,
hydroelectric energy, solar energy and nuclear energy, their advantages and
disadvantages, case studies as well as future implications. They also shared on
the need for efforts to make to switch from non-renewable energy sources to
renewable ones. Generally, I found this pretty similar to the session on energy
and world change few weeks before this session.
3.
Nanotechnologies
Nanotechnology is an interesting
topic which is pretty related to my individual topic paper on Claytronics! One
useful application of nanotechnology is the use in the medical field today. Given
that cancer is one of the leading causes of deaths in Singapore, this may be
the start of its reversal. Nanoparticles, which are small, are able to
penetrate into the outer layer of the skin and into the blood to the specific
target cancer cells. This allows the use of nanotechnology for diagnosis and
treatment of cancer or even prevents it by detecting the possibility of cancer
beforehand. A great technology, with useful applications indeed.
4.
Mind-controlled prosthetics
I believe that the disabled or
amputees, are grateful towards such an invention, of mind-controlled
prosthetics as it makes life more convenient for them, as by simply thinking of
an action, there is no need for the hassle of physically or manually moving the
respective parts, but this is made automated just by thought. One relevant area
for improvement though, is the need to incorporate the sense of touch and the
resulting force exerted. Perhaps, the regulation of the amount of force exerted
could be made controllable through use of pressure sensors and linked motors.
5.
Food for the future
After my group presented on
transhumanism, the other group proceeded to present on the future of food. They
highlighted that even though there is enough food to the global populations
today, there persists a problem of unequal distribution of food, which results
in the disparity between the rich and the poor, as well as, extreme cases of
obesity and malnutrition. This phenomenon relates to food aid and poverty. An interesting
point brought up by their group which I find a real problem is the fact that
dumping food to the poorer nations such as free, subsidized or cheaper food,
actually undercuts local food producers, who cannot compete which this food
aid, and therefore, driven out of jobs and into poverty. How paradoxical.
6.
Sex and advertising
The group presented largely on the
negative implications of sexual advertising. They include the increase in the
acts of violence due to advertisement suggesting sexual violence or rape. I personally
find this not directly causational, reason being, I feel that cultural
influences plays a higher role in such behaviour as compared to sexual
advertisements. Another point was made on body image, where women suffer from
eating disorders due to the exposure to advertisements with women of ideal body
or ultra-thin physiques. This is a sad phenomenon, where women tend to be
influenced by such advertisements and societal ideals and pressures, leading to
superficial beauty.
7.
Virtual reality
The last group talked about virtual
reality. What an interesting way to introduce the topic on virtual reality
through their live demonstration!!! Really enjoyed it J
They then continued on the history of virtual reality and augmented reality,
which was actually touched on during class for several times, I believe. There are
many applications of these realities, but one application that I fancy is the
one on telecommunications. Imagine saving all the time and trouble of
transport, when project meetings for example, can be held in virtual worlds
instead!
Thoroughly enjoyed these two weeks
on presentations. Really interesting topics with innovative methods used to
interest the class as well! 10/10 for these two weeks! JJJ
Session 10 - Technology Assessment and Forecasting: Developing a Framework for Understanding What Comes Next
Technological
progress is inevitable but it can never be free of ethical implications. Scientists
and innovators ought to have a moral compass with regards to their work, but we
must recognize that they are not trained ethicists themselves. Therefore, there
is a need to conduct technology assessments to evaluate a particular current
technology and examine its potential as well as its implications. Technology assessment
take on a global perspective and looks into the future. It strives to solve
existing problems and prevent potential damage caused by inappropriate
application of new technologies. However, one problem is that the impacts of
technologies cannot be easily predicted until the technology is extensively
developed and widely used. Therein lies the problem, when such technology is
widely utilized, it may be difficult to control or be changed. Such technologies
include nanotechnology, information technology, nuclear technology etc.
Technology
forecasting is examining a range of technologies and predicting the future
opportunities on how it could change the world, as well as its characteristics.
Some commonly foresight methodologies includes trend extrapolation,
scenario-based analysis, SWOT analysis etc. SWOT analysis for example, stands
for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats. Often, strengths and weaknesses
reflect the internal, while opportunities and threats reflect the external
environment.
Technology
assessment and forecasting is very relevant especially when technology
progresses at a fast rate over time, with the potential to impact the world. There
is a need to obtain an understanding on what type of changes or impacts that a
certain technology might incur, be it currently existing or emerging. These
evaluated impacts or predicted ones extrapolated from current findings, can very
well lead to positive impacts as well as negative ones. Therefore, such
assessment and forecasting tools can bring foresight to companies or
governmental bodies, in bringing about the positive impacts and plan ways to
mitigate or prevent the negative ones from happening.
Lastly,
the results from assessment and forecasting can aid in decision-making for the
government and/or companies in which technologies or new innovations to invest
and research in. This is especially so when there is a need to prioritize,
given limited resources especially the developing countries, on whether to
implement and use these technologies and when to do so.
Overall, I’ll rate this a 7/10!
Session 9 – Emerging and Future Technologies
Session 9 – Emerging and Future Technologies
“You see
things; and you say, 'Why?'
But I
dream things that never were; and I say, 'Why not?'”
- George
Bernard Shaw –
Have
the openness to say “Why not?” instead of just asking “Why?”. This is the
“Rising Star” mentality, just like an eagle that opens its wings and embraces
new things that come its way. On the other hand, asking “Why?” is a “Falling
Star” mentality, akin to an ostrich, that buries its head in the sand and
narrowing its horizons. I must say, before enrolling in TWC course, I often
take things as it is and not question why things are the way things are. TWC
module definitely broadened my perspectives about issues around the world and
the development of certain industries from past to future J
Prof.
Shahi then showed us a video on “Claytronics”, which was the topic of my
individual research paper. An emerging technology indeed, I believe it would
revolutionize the lives of humans in the future in many industries such as
telecommunications, medicine, product designing etc. Another interesting
technology introduced today is “Plastic Electronics”, where e-book readers and
computers for example, can be made from cheaper materials such as plastic and
silicon. This technology, I believe would definitely open the doors of many who
had previously no access to the Internet and use of computers, given its
cheaper cost. A great invention, indeed.
We then discussed
on the drivers of future technologies. A technology-driven invention is where
the growing knowledge in the field of Science, insights and discoveries has led
to the invention of this new technology that was inconceivable in the past.
Sometimes, supply creates demand, where consumers do not realize they need
something until they see or experience it. It is able to meet the needs of
consumers which were previously unimagined as well as, providing solutions to
previously unanticipated problems in certain industries today.
One presentation I
really found interesting was Glenda’s one, on underwater living. Perhaps it
might seem like a wild idea now, but it is very likely that in the future, when
populations are rising such that land is more scarce than before, or perhaps
when with global warming and sea levels are higher than that of ground, there
might possibly be a need to introduce underwater living to the populations, and
relocate them underwater. However, there might be environmental problems that
comes with this, such as the invasion into the marine life, especially during
the construction to make underwater living possible.
One point I would
like to mention is that even though emerging technologies are still in their
infantry stages and may have certain limitations, there is definitely still
much potential for further development, to increase the quality of life for
humans. After all, technology itself is the human-centric application of
Science. This makes me recall the very first lesson, when Prof. Shahi said that
there is no such thing as a good or bad technology. It ultimately depends on
how it is used by humans, and whether we utilize the opportunities that
technology offers us so that we are able to bring about beneficial and
meaningful impacts on the lives of human.
This session
appears pretty short, perhaps because many emerging technologies were covered
but not in-depth. Regardless, a very interesting session as it looks into the
future use of technology! Really enjoyed the presentations as well, some were
pretty cool. 9/10! J
Session 8 – Energy and World Change (Past, Present and Future)
In
today’s lesson, we talked about the current global energy crisis that is one of
the most urgent and real problem of today. Energy consumption rose over the
years due to the need for energy usage in many industries for economic
development and yet, the amount of available energy sources are depleting at a
rapid rate. With populations rising and new industries emerging, there is a
clear need for sustainability to cope with this rising demand for energy, as
well as the environmental impact that non-renewable energy usage imposes.
The
above, is a graph of energy usage (kg of oil equivalent per capita), referring
to the use of primary energy before transformation to other end-use fuels. Just
look at the amount and rate where United States is consuming at! It far exceeds
that of China’s as well as to the world at large. China is currently using a
quarter of energy compared to US but China’s population is significantly more
than US and it is anticipated that China energy use will exceed that of US in
the future. In fact, China’s energy usage is already steadily increasing and as
we can see from the graph, it has already coincided with the energy usage of
the world. According to Prof. Shahi, this will lead to a “greenhouse hell”. How
then can countries like China achieve the same economic growth and well-being
but not damage the environment as extensive as the US?
It is therefore imperative that we shift from our
current unsustainable fossil fuel-based energy intensive economy to an
environmentally sound and sustainable, clean and green one. Energy efficiency is the key requisite to
meeting our future energy needs from sustainable sources. New habits, new technologies
and new ideas. We need to step away from the conventional usage of fossil fuels
in the industrialization days and revolutionize our approach towards energy
consumption, in a way which is efficient and environmentally friendly.
Brazil’s ProAlcool gasohol programme, is a good example. ProAlcool,
the national alcohol program in Brazil, started in the mid-1970s and was described
as the solution to the first oil crisis, where ethanol fuel is produced from
sugarcane production. Since then, the automobile industry has produced
alcohol-fuelled cars and after several technological developments, Brazil was
recognized as the world leader in the sustainable use of bioethanol, as well as
a policy model for other developing countries to follow.
Fortunately, due to environmental
concerns such as climate change and global warming, coupled with high oil
prices due to depleting resources, more countries are looking into renewable energies.
Although as compared to non-renewable energy sources, the share of global
energy consumption from renewable resources is still very low. Thankfully,
there are many bodies which are setting goals and executing plans in increasing
this percentage share, with the ultimate aim to achieve sustainability. For example,
the European Union sets a goal of obtaining 20% of energy from renewable
sources by 2020.
Personally, I find that the
reason why non-renewable energy sources are used more extensively than
renewable ones is because of cost. Research and development in the field of
renewable energy sources adds on to the cost, which then passes down to
consumers. There is a need for renewable energy sources to be price competitive
against non-renewable ones as from a practical point of view, companies seek to
maximise profits and reduce costs. Therefore, many prefer taking the easy way out, by disregarding the environmental repercussions and continue utilizing non-renewable energy sources instead. However, it ought to be noted that even
though on the surface level, non-renewable energy such as coal seems cheaper,
this is not exactly true as if we account the negative externalities of such
consumption, the true cost of these non-renewables is actually much, much
higher, as compared to most renewable energy sources which will be
significantly cheaper in the long run.
Prof. Shahi showed as figures and
graphs relating to energy consumption and the energy generated from certain
sources. I was surprised with the fact that the sun actually provides more
energy to the Earth in one hour than humankind currently uses in an entire
year! In fact, photovoltaics are able to generate more energy per km square of
land as compared to wind and biomass. The question now is, why then isn’t solar
energy more heavily utilized than wind and biomass? Why aren’t solar panels not
as extensively built and utilized comparatively? Perhaps the reason could be its
high initial capital outlay and cost, as well as the cost of maintenance.
Another point to note is the need for investment in clean energy. In 2009, China ranks first as the country to invest the heaviest in clean energy, followed by United States and United Kingdom. I believe such investment into the future is a wise step. Leaders of foresight are able to anticipate the pressing need to switch to renewable energy sources which are efficient and pollution reducing, to ease the future problem of overwhelming demand for energy given the rise in populations and growth in economy. More countries should follow the footsteps of China, US and UK etc., and invest more in clean energy and possibly in the near future, the strain on Earth would ease. However, this is uncertain as since environmental problems concerns one and all, the problem now is who should take up the responsibility? More often than not, this responsibility is being pushed around as it is not clear as to who should take up this onus.
Generally, I would rate this session a 8/10. I learnt more about energy which I didn't know about before.
Wednesday 6 November 2013
Final Individual report "Claytronics - The Human Experience Redefined"
Claytronics - The Human Experience Redefined[1]
Chong Hui Qi (huiqi.chong.2013@accountancy.smu.edu.sg),
1st Year student, Bachelor of Accountancy, Singapore Management
University
Executive
Summary
This
paper examines the potential breakthrough of Claytronics into numerous
industries such as telecommunications, healthcare, education and modelling
based on the concept of transmissible synthetic reality also known as Pario.
This paper will then analyse on the potential positive impacts and drawbacks on
its applications, as well as other possible health, environmental and social implications.
1
Introduction
The
Claytronics Project is an on-going research collaboration between Carnegie
Mellon University and Intel Labs Pittsburgh, led by a Carnegie Mellon computer
science professor, Professor Seth Goldstein (Guin, 2012). The team of
researchers combined both nanotechnology and telepresence together, to produce
Claytronics (D.Abhishekh et al., 2013).
Claytronics is a collection of
programmable matter, known as catoms, or claytronic atoms, and they are the
basic building blocks of Claytronics. Each catom is capable of receiving
electronic instructions, processing information, moving in three-dimensional
space relative to other catoms, and adhering to other catoms via magnetism or
electrostatic forces to maintain a 3D shape (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004a). As of
2011, successful trials have been conducted with relatively large-scale catoms
that can manoeuvre relative to each another in two dimensional spaces by using
electromagnets which can be switched on and off accordingly (Phil Riddel, 2013). It is forecasted that
catoms will be produced on a vast scale at the sub-millimetre and even nanometre scale, allowing ensembles of
catoms to be manipulated, and developing a wide range of applications (Phil Riddel, 2013).
The focus of this paper is on
Pario. Pario pushes the concept of “Virtual Reality” a step further; instead of
audio and visual stimulations, it provides an additional physical sensation to
our human experience (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). The data of a physical
object or person is captured, encoded and transmitted in real time (Goldstein
et al., 2005), to reproduce a replica of its original in terms of shape,
appearance and motion etc. such that a conscious mind may or may not be able to
distinguish from the experience of actuality (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). This
concept is otherwise known as “Synthetic Reality”, where a user can interact
with computer-generated objects as if they were the real thing (Goldstein and
Mowry, 2004b).
Synthetic reality has significant
advantages over current technologies such as virtual and augmented reality
(Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). For example, there is no need for the user to use
any form of sensory augmentation such as head mounted displays, bionic contact
lenses, Google Glass etc. or haptic feedback devices for virtual simulation and
will be able to see, touch, or even use the object itself (Goldstein and Mowry,
2004b). The invention of Claytronics will arguably revolutionize the lives of
man.
Limitations
of paper
It has to be noted that this
paper has its limitations which include the lack of specific examples,
statistics and analytical evidence to support what were proposed. This stems
from the lack of resources as well as open-source information available for reference,
especially when “The Claytronics Project” is still an on-going one. In
addition, this paper could have covered in greater detail, on the hardware and
software of Claytronics, as well as its research challenges faced. Nevertheless,
the author has attempted to provide her analysis, evaluations and insightful
inputs as well as she can throughout this paper.
2
Historical Perspectives
Emergence of virtual and augmented reality
Synthetic
reality is a new platform introduced only in the recent years as compared to
virtual and augmented reality which existence dated back in history. The latter
two are interlinked in their concepts in a way that each can be viewed as a
subset of the other.
Augmented
reality is a medium in which digital information is overlaid on the physical
world that is in both spatial and temporal registration with the physical world
and that is interactive in real time (Craig, 2013). It is a form of virtual reality where extra data,
otherwise imperceptible to the biological system is rendered perceptible and calibrated
with the display of the physical world (Craig, 2013).
Virtual
reality, on the other hand, is a medium consisting of interactive computer
simulations that detect the location of the participant and replace or augment
the feedback to one or more senses – offering the user the experience of being
immersed in the simulation (Craig,
2013).
|
Figure 1. Heilig's Sensorama. Reproduced from The Ohio State
University. (2003)
 |
|
Figure 2. “The Ultimate
Display”. Reproduced from The Ohio State University. (2003)
 |
In 1965, Ivan Sutherland, a computer scientist, followed
up by introducing “The Ultimate Display”, where a user can be immersed in a
virtual world so real as though it is the physical world itself. In 1968, Sutherland,
who was assisted by his student, Bob Sproull, invented “The Sword of Damocles”,
which is also the very first augmented reality and virtual reality head-mounted
display system invented (Burton, 2012). It has a pair of glasses, cathode-ray
tubes at the sides, mechanical head tracking as well as sensors suspended from the
ceiling (Strickland, 2008). This
head-mounted display allows for images to be displayed and coordinated in real
time with the changing vision of the user, giving the illusion of depth (Strickland,
2008). With this technology, users are
able to manipulate virtual three dimensional objects in a realistic, intuitive
manner as well (Strickland, 2008). This invention revolutionized interactivity and was a springboard for
many new and emerging applications today.
Exploratory engineering
Another
alternative point of view towards Claytronics is viewing it as a work of exploratory engineering. K. Eric
Drexler
describes exploratory engineering as the process of
designing and examining detailed hypothetical models of systems that are unattainable
with technologies of today, yet seemingly lie in the boundaries of what Science
regards as possible in the narrowly defined scope of application of the
hypothetical system model (Drexler, 1988). It often results in paper or video prototypes, or computer models that
are able to convince those who understand the relevant Science, even though
there is an absence of experimental confirmation. In other words, exploratory
engineering is the exploration and extrapolation of modern technology (Drexler,
1988).
Others
have also positioned exploratory engineering as a solution – one where its
putative characteristics and the principles of engineering science have to come
hand-in-hand to implement it in our real life (Wikipedia, 2007). And only when
the activity transits from proto-engineering to actual engineering will the
success or failure of such an implementation be clear (Wikipedia, 2007).
Proponents
and critics have been debating over Claytronics as a form of exploratory
engineering ever since the idea first came out in 2005. It is imperative that we note all these opinions are
centred on the concepts of reality – augmented reality, simulated reality, and
virtual reality. What really distinguishes between the opinionated visions of
proponents and critics is the perimeter which would take exploratory
engineering out of the domain of mere speculation, and defining it as a
practical design activity that is often indiscernible to such critics of
exploratory engineering, and meanwhile, inexpressible by the proponents (Wikipedia,
2007).
Yet, both critics and proponents generally concur
that majority of the highly detailed simulation effort in the field may not necessarily
result in a physical device (Wikipedia, 2007). Hence, without the practicality
means, scientists saw no need for this project on Claytronics. It was only when
its founding fathers – Seth Goldstein,
the associate professor of computer science at Carnegie Mellon University, and
Todd Mowry, the Director of the Intel Labs Pittsburgh, were investigating the
idea of physicality and the need for physicality in today’s world (G4TV, 2008),
where convenience supersedes most of consumers’ priorities that Claytronics
began to find its presence in today’s technology.
In summary, the critics contend that while
Claytronics is consistent with the laws of science with regards to its
operation, all it merely does is communicate information in the form of
imaginative 3D images – there is still the lack of a way to construct the
device modelled, showing no proof that the desired device can be assembled (Goldstein et al., 2009).
Proponents contend that there are a myriad of potential methods to construct
the desired device that surely, at least one will not present a critical flaw preventing
the materialization of Claytronics (Drexler, 1988).
Birth of Claytronics
The birth of Claytronics, according to Seth
Goldstein, stems from both inspiration as well as natural evolution from
previous research (G4TV,
2008). Before “The Claytronics
Project”, Goldstein was researching on molecular computing. In molecular
electronics, the essential idea is to influence a computation by changing the
shape of molecules as when molecules adopt a different shape, they confer
distinctively differing electrical properties (G4TV, 2008). He thought, of reversing the process,
and instead, formulate computations that results in the shape-changing
molecules (G4TV, 2008).
Goldstein developed on this idea and eventually classified these molecules as
programmable matter.
What further triggered him to embark on “The
Claytronics Project” was the inspiration he drawn from attending a conference held
by the Computer Research Association (CRA), together with Todd Mowry, who was keen
in improving communication (G4TV,
2008). Goldstein believed that his
idea on programmable matter was an answer to Mowry’s intention, and hence, they
proposed to start “The Claytronics Project”, instead of waiting for
nanotechnology to come up with a solution (G4TV, 2008).
3
Current Situation
As of 2012, only four catoms have been successfully operated
together in three dimensions (Guin,
2012). However, the aim is to have catoms operate on a
large-scale basis, in order to put them into useful, practical applications.
Colour and texture are also areas to be researched further. As of 2006,
researchers have already created a prototype catom that is 44 millimetres in
diameter (Wang, 2007). When particles are small enough, it stimulates texture. The
goal is to eventually produce catoms that are one or two millimetres in
diameter – small enough to produce convincing replicas (Wang, 2007). It is
anticipated that in the long run, the aforementioned challenges will be
overcome and three out of the five human senses, namely sight, touch and sound
can be achieved (G4TV, 2008).
Claytronics is
currently still under on-going research.
4
Future Considerations
Claytronics is a
technology-driven invention, where the growing knowledge in the field of
Science, insights and discoveries has led to the invention of this new
technology that was inconceivable in the past. Sometimes, supply creates
demand, where consumers do not realize they need something until they see or
experience it. Claytronics is one example that illustrates this point, where it
is able to meet the needs of consumers which were previously unimagined as well
as, providing solutions to previously unanticipated problems in certain
industries today. In this section, the application of Claytronics will be
covered in further detail in the following industries below.
4.1
Telecommunications
The telecommunications industry
has changed radically over the years, from the use of smoke signals and drums
in prehistoric times, to the use of electrical methods such as the telephone in
the 18th century and progressively till today, the use of electronic
methods such as the radio, television, internet, computer and mobile networking
(Huurdeman, 2003). However, these forms of communications centralize mainly on
either auditory, visual communications or both.
With Pario, the human-to-human communication
will completely revolutionize. There will be three platforms, namely auditory,
visual and physical touch to interact upon. With the extra factor of touch, communication
is made more realistic where one interacts with other computer generated
persons as if they were real (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b). Shape, movement,
visual appearance, sound, and tactile qualities of each person will be mimicked,
just like a replica (Goldstein and Mowry, 2004b).
Video-conferencing today is
limited to two-dimensional images. In the future, however, Claytronics can be
used to transmit three-dimensional images, even if the recipient is
considerably far away. Such application is termed as parioconferencing, where
virtual meetings can be carried out with the physical presence of the person
can be felt (Goldstein et al., 2009). This would be a useful tool especially
for large companies such as Multi-National Companies (MNCs), which outsource
their businesses to their counterparts overseas. Meetings can be discussed from
wherever they are, and they will experience a meeting with their counterparts
assembled from millions of catoms and yet be unable to distinguish the
difference of synthetic reality from true reality.
Parioconferencing is also
beneficial in saving time for those with tight schedules. For instance,
ministers can save the time and trouble of travelling across the globe to
another country for G8 and G20 Summits meetings.
Parioconferencing can also be
viewed as one step further from 3D imaging – think holography, 3D films, and 3D
computer graphics. Claytronics goes beyond giving the illusion of 3D objects in
a stipulated location. Instead, it allows 3D imaging to be emulated over long
distances and additionally, allowing physical interactivity (Goldstein et al., 2009). This is the
future; 3D video-conferencing.
4.2
Healthcare
A
global trend in the healthcare industry today includes the rising healthcare
needs due to demographic shift, especially the rapidly growing ageing
population in countries such as Hong Kong, Singapore and Japan, which further
increases the strain on the healthcare sector. In Hong Kong for example, the
proportion of elderly aged 65 and above will increase by two times from one-eighth
in the year 2007 to one-quarter by year 2033 (Food and Health Bureau, 2008). The elderly dependency ratio is
projected to have an increment of 258 from year 2007 to year 2033 as well (Food and Health Bureau, 2008). In year
2006, there is also an increase in healthcare needs by the elderly population, where
an elder will utilize, on average, 6 times more in-patient care than someone who
is 65 year-old and below (Food and
Health Bureau, 2008).
Such
strain on the healthcare sector can be reduced with telemedicine, which can be
extended further with Pario to enhance its application. Telemedicine, equipped
with Pario, will allow a patient to consult a doctor in a different country or
even a different continent, while being able to feel one another’s physical
presence with claytronic emulations. Transportation costs, along with the
pollution from travel, will be cut and time previously wasted from queuing will
be saved, thereby increasing efficiency in the healthcare sector, all these
without being short-changed and experiencing anything less compared to a real
consultation with the doctor. In fact, mortality rates may possibly lower with
this new application, with more timely treatments and/or surgeries.
This
can be further extended to third world countries where healthcare standards are
relatively lower than that of first world countries, where facilities and
equipment are less advanced and doctors and medical personnel are less
adequately equipped with the relevant knowledge and skills (Shah, 2011).
However, the affordability of this technology by the third world countries is a
cause of concern, which will be further elaborated in the later sections below.
Another
possible application in the future would be the increased efficiency and
accuracy at which urgent and intricate surgeries are performed. The organs to
be performed on can be magnified into claytronic replicas for the surgeon to
work on in a physically more open environment. Concurrently, the claytronic
replica of the surgeon will mimic the surgeon’s actions and perform the surgery
accordingly (D.Abhishekh et al., 2013).
4.3
Education
“Imagination
will often carry us to worlds that never were. But without it we go nowhere.”
-Carl Sagan
-Carl Sagan
Even with today’s high-tech
gadgets, we should realise that very little methods have touched on the
learning platforms of imagination. In fact, this is very important as how one
perceives information will ultimately form an image in one’s brain. This is the
most basic, yet inevitable way humans learn. Claytronics can thus be the new
platform for imagining and more effective and creative learning. With Claytronics,
instead of visual drawings or even plain reading, images can be built with
catoms and coupled together with visual details and hearing explanations,
providing a whole new way to teach and learn. Additionally, it is widely known
that learning centres today are centralising their resources on better teaching
methods and platforms to reach out to students – with Claytronics, the learning
curve would definitely become gentler.
Teleconferencing, coupled with
Pario, will possibly revolutionize the classroom setting as well. Professors, in
the future, can work from home, cutting transportation costs as well as saving
time, without compromising on interactivity and the quality of the lesson
delivered.
However, likewise as healthcare,
a challenge would be to bring Claytronics to the benefit of those in third
world countries who possibly are unable to afford this technology. A possible
solution to this is perhaps, to tie up with non-profit organizations with
similar goals to improve educational standards in developing countries. One
example would be the “One Laptop per Child (OLPC)” Project, which is supported
by the Cambridge-based OLPC Foundation (OLPCF) as well as the Miami-based One
Laptop per Child Association (OLPCA) (Akkartal and Hamelinck, 2012). Funds were
raised via the “Give 1 Get 1” Program, where donors received an XO-1 laptop for
their own usage and OLPC would send another to a child in a developing country
(Mariana, 2013). Currently, this project has benefited many countries across
the globe in different continents. Some countries include Rwanda, Sierra Leone,
Mexico, Uruguay, Afghanistan, India and Papua New Guinea (OLPC Map, n.d.).
Likewise, it is possible to tie up with such non-profit organizations that are
willing to invest, and distribute this technology through the ministries of
education of these countries, with the goal of improving learning and education
standards.
4.4
Modelling
Given its shape-shifting
abilities, Claytronics will eliminate the need for excessive consumer products.
There will be no need for having a table, a chair, a bed and a couch, when one
can have his needs met with Claytronics. Furniture will have double-duty and be
able to morph into any form of furniture to adapt to one’s needs accordingly (Faizi and Sabonis, 2013). This
goes the same for cell phones. Jason Campbell, a senior researcher at Intel,
said in an interview that the Claytronics will change the way people interact
with devices such as computers and cell phones in significant ways (Gaudin, 2008). Catoms can be manipulated to
create a larger keypad for text messaging, or to expand its video display as
needed and when not in used, be commanded to minimize into a small form for
easy storage (Gaudin, 2008). In addition,
because each catom has the ability to store energy, once it is configured,
there will not be energy expended when one wants a certain form or shape to
remain (G4TV, 2008).They can be personalized as well, with its structure
moulded precisely to suit the needs of the user. Self-healing is another property;
Claytronics is able to fix scratches and damages should there be any (Damus,
2012). The possibilities are endless.
Figure
5. Product designing possibilities, one of the many applications of
Claytronics. Reproduced from The Journal of the
International Association of Physics Students. (2013, July 2)
5
Potential implications
Although the applications of
Claytronics are rewarding, it may pose certain unknown or unforeseen challenges
for societies. This following section will therefore examine the potential
health, environmental and social implications (affordability, availability and
over-reliance) of Claytronics.
5.1
Health
Claytronics
consists of programmable particles which cannot be seen with the naked eye. The
extremely tiny size of catoms means that humans risk the very likely
possibility of inhaling these catoms easily (The Energy and Resources Institute, 2010). Immunity may
deteriorate as these foreign particles may cause stresses on phagocytes (white
blood cells that ingest and destroy foreign matter), which might lead to
inflammation and as a result, weaken the body’s defence against other
pathogens. Another issue that is of concern is the possible interference of
these non-biodegradable particles with biological processes of the human body
should they accumulate in large masses
(The Energy and Resources Institute, 2010). Also, due to the electronic
nature of catoms, with each having electromagnetic communications, humans may
face a health threat due to the increased electromagnetic radiation.
In
light of the above, there is an apparent risk involved when consumers and the
general public are exposed to Claytronics. The occupational health of workers
in charge of the production, packaging or even the transport of this technology
is in danger as well. In fact, it might be the very first time in history that
man can get (physically) sick from a computer virus, few decades down the road
(Koks, 2008).
5.2
Environment
Given
the small size of catoms, there is a possibility that they are able to get into
water supplies or get released into the air during production, especially when
these particles are so tiny which renders detection and control a difficult and
arduous task (The Energy and Resources
Institute, 2010). Being non-biodegradable, they will accumulate in the
soil or water. Should animals
ingest them, the food chain will be disrupted should they suffer or be at risk of
health threats.
Another issue of concern would be
the disposal of these catoms as waste during faults in production. There is
therefore, a need for appropriate measures to be implemented such as regulation
of the production, use and disposal of the excess and unwanted waste materials to
deal with the aforementioned environmental concerns.
5.3
Social
5.3.1
Affordability
As a highly advanced technology, the cost of manufacturing catoms
is high, especially when dealing with large objects or a person which requires
millions of catoms operating together. Costs from research and development are
likely to be passed down to consumers as well. Moreover, machines involved when
operating this technology are also very costly. In fact, perhaps even those
with above average income will not be able to afford it.
Governments and companies are probably the only few entities that
would be able to afford such equipment at such high costs. Therein lies the
problem - If only the rich and powerful are able to afford it, what good can it
serve to the general public? Will such a project be sustainable at such high
costs? Unless scientists manage to find a way to power up these catoms to serve
their purpose in a cheap and affordable way, it is highly unlikely that
Claytronics will be affordable to the general public. Ultimately, the question
is whether consumers are willing and able to venture into and invest in this
technology given its high costs.
Fortunately, the typical pattern with new technologies is that
they become cheaper over time (Bostrom,
2011). Initially, due to high initial costs in
research and development, it is most likely that only those who have the
resources, skills and the willingness to use new tools are able to benefit from
these new technologies. But over time, costs fall and more people can afford
them, just like in the field of consumer electronics, where the price of
digital devices that were cutting-edge a few years ago drops as new
technologies surface (Bostrom, 2011). Hopefully,
the cost of using Claytronics will reduce over the years after the high initial
costs in research and development are covered and stabilize in the market in
the future for the benefit of the general public.
5.3.2
Availability
As
with accordance to affordability, materials needed to build the machines
required to power up catoms must be easily accessible for this project to be
sustainable in the long term. However, this remains a puzzle to be solved as
the project is still underway, hence machinery required to use Claytronics are
not yet finalised.
However,
the biggest problem lies with the usage of nanotechnology in Claytronics. It is
a plain fact that nanotechnology is not open for usage for the general public. Also,
given the risks involved relating to human health and safety, there has been
calls for tighter regulation of nanotechnology as well (Holdren
et al., 2011). Thus,
use of nanotechnology is definitely limited and this questions the usability of
Claytronics.
Moreover,
as an advanced technology, not many scientists may possess the knowledge to use
machinery to control the catoms; some may even not know of its existence.
Hence, only a selected few of scientists involved in the invention process will
be skilled enough to use Claytronics. How such knowledge will be disseminated
to other scientists will also affect its accessibility. Mass-production of
Claytronics is an issue of consideration.
5.3.3
Over-reliance
Claytronics
paves a new way of human-computer interaction so real that one may not be able
to differentiate it from human-human interaction. Assuming that Claytronics is
readily available and affordable to the general public, this marriage between
the tangible and intangible brings about many benefits but there is a need to
be cautious that such usage on this technology does not extend to over-reliance
on it such that the occurrence of authentic human interaction is reduced.
6
Conclusions
In summary, Claytronics will
introduce thrilling changes in the lives of man in many major industries across
the globe, including healthcare, education, modelling and especially,
telecommunications. We need to take precautions, however, in light of the
potential drawbacks Claytronics poses. Overall, this field still has much
potential which remains to be explored. It would be fascinating to watch how
this technology unfolds in the future, where imagination translates to reality.
The possibilities are boundless. Claytronics, the human experience redefined
indeed.
7
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