This post was intended to be a positive message about a new year. Then tragedy struck once again, this time close to home. The day before New Years Eve, a windstorm caused a downed power line to start a fire that literally destroyed over 500 homes in a matter of hours here in Colorado. Its tough to stay positive and upbeat when everything around you goes from bad to worse.
While 2020 was coined “the worst year ever,” 2021 has been dubbed “the year everything went wrong.” And it seems like this is true. There is bad news everyday. Inflation is at a 40 year high. Despite the vaccines, Covid remains out of control. The supply chain from off-shore manufacturing disrupted capitalism as we know it. The Taliban returned power.
While past couple of years have been a time of frustration for many, it is important to reflect on the positives that have occurred as we look forward to the coming year. The fact is that many great companies and inventions have been created during times of struggle, and I suspect that some of these will prove to be in that category as well. Let’s take a look at some of the inventions or trends of 2021 and see how these might impact our future.
A human brain wirelessly connects to a computer
I’ve joked for years about “direct mind interface” but this may be closer to reality than I imagined. In a possible breakthrough for those with spinal cord injuries, scientists at Brown University fully connected a human brain to a computer via a transmitter device. A company called Synchron has developed an endovascular brain computer interface that can access every corner of the brain using its natural highways, the blood vessels. This technology is specifically touted for handicapped people, allowing them to control a computer using just their thoughts. But imagine where this could lead us in the future!
Check out their website at https://synchron.com/
Given the advances in AI, Elon Musk predicts that we can return normal bodily functions to those with spinal cord injuries.
Ambassador Interpreter
The Star Trek universal translator is now a reality! This device actively listens for someone speaking near you and translates their speech into your native language in real time.
Check out their website at https://www.waverlylabs.com/
OrCam MyMe – AI for Humans
This can be incredibly practical for those of us who have a hard time remembering someone’s name. Using the most advanced wearable AI-driven computer vision, the OrCam MyMe device instantly recognizes faces and tells you who is in front of you – in real time – by sending a notification to your phone or smartwatch.
Learn more on Kickstarter.
Coolest mouse ever
Padrone’s finger ring replaces the computer mouse. It works just like the touchpad on your laptop, but you can use it on any table, on your lap or any surface. It connects via Bluetooth to your computer, so no software installation required—just slide it on and connect!
Learn more at their website: https://www.padrone.design/
Private citizens enter space in their own spaceships
Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos both entered the space race becoming the first private citizens to enter space in their own vehicles. Meanwhile, NASA’s Perseverance Rover made oxygen on Mars. While the technology is still in its early stages, it could help make future human missions to the red planet a reality.
Looking ahead to 2022
Certainly, the inventions I showcased above are interesting, but what about your business and overcoming the challenges of the past couple of years? Its time that we look at what is right with the world today. And then you need to ask what you are going to do to disrupt the status quo and start making a significant impact on the lives of your customers? The simple truth is that if you are not coming up with new and innovative ideas (even if they aren’t going to change the world direct mind interface), you will soon find that your business is no longer relevant.
A new year is a perfect time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished over the past year and how you can leverage that to create something new during the next year. Perhaps you simply need to update your website or beef up you internet marketing in order to capitalize on what you put into motion during the past year. Maybe its time to create a new product. Whatever you decide to do, set some goals for yourself to make 2022 your best year ever. I’d love to hear about them if you want to share them with me (heck, I’ll even showcase them on my blog!)
Have a Happy and Prosperous New Year!
Greg Jameson has been writing blog articles on ecommerce and internet marketing for over 10 years. Learn more about Greg at https://webstoresltd.com/about/
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