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by Megan Zborowski • Editorial Assistant

The future is here. People can now purchase a robotic vacuum that operates with the touch of a button. The Internet is a one-stop location for medical advice, prescription orders, and even online psychological therapy. Amazingly, the possibility of self-driving vehicles is no longer just a dream.

Technological innovations are the staples of modern society. Almost every facet of life is affected by technology, whether it is work or pleasure. Advanced technology will influence the trends of the future, as people continue to rely on it in order to facilitate their increasingly hectic, fast-paced lifestyles.

A trend is a change in the general pattern of movement of a specific variable. It gives an indication of future, long-term movements within industries or organizations. Future trends indicate a new wave of products specifically designed to perform time-consuming functions. Companies - and industries as a whole -- are focused on increasing their ability to design products quickly and efficiently, and many are becoming more environmentally friendly at the same time.

THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY
The automobile industry is taking great strides to address environmental concerns while developing improvements in safety, efficiency, as well as waste and pollution reduction.
Electric, fuel cell, and hybrid cars are presently gaining attention as more manufacturers are producing these alternative automobile designs. Several manufacturers have already introduced electric scooters and motorcycles to the market.

Alternative fuels also may become dominant in the future. Electricity, for example, eliminates tailpipe emissions and can lower maintenance costs. The use of hydrogen can lead to improved air quality as well as increased energy efficiency.

Telematics services, wireless voice, and data systems that combine computers and telecommunications have the potential to become as commonplace as the radio. Systems involving voice-activated navigation and stolen vehicle tracking are rising in popularity among car owners. Internet access is also likely to be more prevalent in cars, one of the last places where people are not somehow "connected."

Car-sharing programs are also being implemented in many cities across the globe. Many programs rent cars for a reasonable price and cover all other costs, including insurance, gasoline, and upkeep. Members rent cars when it is necessary, thereby lowering carbon monoxide emissions. This cuts down on pollution related to automobiles and helps reduce traffic and air quality problems. Car-sharing has been successful in many cities, and others are considering the benefits of the program.

NANOTECHNOLOGY
Nanotechnology, although in its infancy, is a fundamental revolution in technology. It gives scientists the ability to capture, position, and change the configuration of molecules in order to rearrange matter with atomic precision. Nanotechnology has the potential to develop advancements in diverse areas such as the environment, medicine, and computation.

This technology will aid in environmental restoration, including air and water cleanup, with the possibility of eliminating chemical pollution in the future. Advancements in medicine are also likely, including the possibility of replacing limbs or damaged organs as well as surgery to repair or rearrange cells. Developments in drug treatment through nanotechnology may generate a way to distribute medication to the specific area it is needed. It will also contribute to the construction of computers, giving manufacturers the technology needed to create inexpensive, powerful, and extremely small computers. Although this technology does not presently exist, scientists are confident that it will develop throughout the years, possibly affecting every aspect of life.

HOME & FURNISHINGS
The goal in the future for the furniture industry is to simplify life. One of the main trends to look for in furniture, whether for the home or office, is functional, multi-purpose design. Furniture that lasts a lifetime and/or serves several purposes, such as a crib that converts into a bed or a dresser that also serves as a changing table, will also continue to be important to consumers. This correlates with the growing trend for living spaces to be multi-functional as well.

Interestingly, the bathroom is in the process of having a total makeover. Bath space will continue to increase, both in size and number. Future bath trends indicate that several items will become prominent fixtures including televisions, telephones, whirlpool tubs and spa showers, saunas, and even exercise equipment.

Office space will also become a standard component of many new homes. Exercise rooms and multi-media centers may have separate rooms in the future as people designate more time and money towards entertainment and health concerns. Advanced technology will become more prevalent in future homes as computer-driven functions, such as home automation and voice- or sensor-activated kitchen appliances and windows, become more common.

Several furniture manufacturers continue to address environmental issues by creating environmentally friendly furniture using organic, natural, recycled, or reused products.
The future home will incorporate entertainment, work, and education, elements of life that used to be separate from living space. Overall, home and furnishing trends will benefit consumers by making life more comfortable.

ARCHITECTURE
Look for traditional architectural practices to be integrated with digital technology, which will aid in the development of all phases of design, construction, and management. Sophisticated design, as well as modeling and simulation tools, will be prominent features in future architecture.

Modification of traditional enclosure design tools by digital technology will generate many changes within the field of architecture. Advances in planning and production tools, fabrication, CAD/CAM, and mass customization will benefit from digital technology. Large scale, high-definition displays and four-dimensional models will help architectural firms to be more efficient in their daily operations. Digital networks will allow for computer simulations that will evaluate the various stages of a project, including the problems that may occur in the future.

In the future, architectural practice may become collectively structured, although individual architects will still exist. Architectural teams will be connected to a computer network that will support the project from start to finish in order to design large, complex projects.

Advances in technology are the driving force behind trends of the future. Future trends will help people to utilize their time efficiently as new technology begins to perform functions normally carried out by people. Innovations that are currently being developed may have a positive impact on the world, as more industries recognize the environmental concerns of the present and future.

LINKS

www.afdc.coe.gov: information on alternative fuels (electricity, hydrogen, etc.) and vehicles (electric cars, etc.)

www.telematicsupdate.com: website is dedicated to automotive telematics including news, articles, press releases, product reviews, and reports.

www.carsharing.net: the latest news and locations of car-sharing programs.

www.nano.gov: information on nanotechnology, including news, reports, reviews, as well as a set of links.

www.foresight.org: Website created by the Foresight Institute, a non-profit organization with general information, news, events, careers, research, and discussion related to nanotechnology.

www.ifda.com: represents residential and commercial furnishings and design with news and information on the industry.

www.cdnarchitect.com: a website for the Canadian Architect magazine; contains information on current architectural issues as well as industry links.

• Main Article: Shapes of Things to Come

• Sidebar: Foundations of the Future

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