From Men in Black’s Neuralyzer to Minority Report’s Precogs, sci-fi’s wildest gadgets are closer to reality than we think, and leaping from the screen into our everyday lives, faster than expected!
In the world of cinema, futuristic gadgets have always been a cornerstone of science fiction, igniting our imaginations and inspiring dreams of technological marvels. From the shimmering streets of Blade Runner to the immersive realms of Ready Player One, these iconic gadgets have not only defined the genre but also shaped our collective vision of the future.
Today, as we stand on the cusp of unprecedented technological advancements, it’s fascinating to see how many of these once-fantastical devices are becoming part of our reality. Yet, now that these futuristic inventions are within arm’s reach, I feel conflicted about the reality they’re leading us towards.
We’ve all seen it in Blade Runner, flying cars zooming through neon-lit cityscapes while advanced androids, the Replicants, walk amongst us. Or in Minority Report, where we are introduced to gesture-based computer interfaces and predictive policing through precognition. Meanwhile, The Matrix plunges us into a virtual reality so immersive that it blurs the lines between the real and the digital.
Other notable mentions include Tony Stark’s AI-assisted (J.A.R.V.I.S.) Iron Man suit, which boasts capabilities far beyond today’s exoskeletons. Inspired by this fictional technology, back in 2016, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg took on the challenge of creating his own AI system to manage his home and assist with work, aptly naming it Jarvis after Stark’s assistant.
Additionally, we cannot forget the iconic hoverboards and self-lacing shoes from Back to the Future, which continue to capture the imagination of futurists and tech enthusiasts alike. Star Wars and Star Trek, too, have given us lightsabers, hyperdrive technology, and teleportation, staples of sci-fi that continue to captivate audiences.
In Men in Black, we are introduced to the “neuralyzer”, a small device capable of erasing memories with a flash of light. This clever gadget allows agents to maintain the secrecy of their operations by wiping specific memories from the minds of witnesses. The concept of selectively erasing or altering memories taps into deep psychological and ethical questions, resonating with audiences and stimulating conversations about the nature of memory and identity.
While we may not yet have teleportation devices or fully sentient androids, many of these futuristic gadgets have inspired real-world counterparts. Let’s take a closer look at some of these marvels:
Flying Cars
The Movie Idea:
Movies like The Fifth Element and Back to the Future dazzled us with flying cars, showcasing cities filled with airborne traffic. In these films, personal air travel was as easy as driving a car today, offering the promise of escaping the congestion of modern roads.
Where We Are Now:
Sci-fi has often shown us fantastical technologies that stretch the imagination, and long teased us with the dream of personal air travel. Well, we’ve finally arrived at that juncture, with companies like Pivotal producing personal EVTOL aircrafts. Tim Lum’s BlackFly, a personal EVTOL aircraft, demonstrates that flying cars have arrived, albeit navigating a tricky legal landscape. As Lum glides over the ridges of Washington in a 14-foot craft, it’s clear that the future is already here; it’s just not entirely legal yet.
With $190,000 in your pocket, you could own one for yourself; however, at that price, it’s not exactly the accessible future we’ve been dreaming of. If that’s a bit steep for your budget, you can still experience the thrill by renting a different electric flying vehicle for $249.
Would I want one? Absolutely, I mean who wouldn’t want to soar above traffic like George Jetson? But the legal and logistical barriers make me wonder if we’re ready for this level of autonomy. Flying cars might be a cool idea, but I’d rather they weren’t whizzing overhead until we’ve figured out how to regulate them. For now, I’ll keep my feet on the ground, thanks.
Autonomous Vehicles
The Movie Idea:
In Total Recall, the streets are filled with self-driving taxis, where passengers casually jump into “Johnny Cabs,” with an AI “driver” that handles all navigation. This portrayal envisions a world where the complex and sometimes dangerous task of driving is wholly handed over to advanced machines, promising efficiency, speed, and, importantly, safety for passengers.
Where We Are Now:
The self-driving cars of Total Recall resonate with today’s advancements in autonomous vehicle technology. Although they were once a thing of pure fantasy, with companies like Tesla and Waymo offering over 100,000 robotaxi rides a week, it’s clear autonomous driving isn’t a far-off dream, it’s happening. Waymo also recently unveiled its sixth-generation autonomous driving system, highlighting a growing public acceptance of driverless taxis.
While the technology is undeniably impressive, I can’t help but feel uneasy about handing total control to a machine, especially when it comes to life-and-death decisions.
Take, for example, a December 2019 incident in Connecticut, where a Tesla Model 3 on Autopilot crashed into a stationary police car and a disabled vehicle. More recently, in July 2023, the NHTSA launched an investigation into a fatal crash involving a Tesla Model 3 and a Subaru Impreza, trying to determine whether Autopilot was involved.
The driver of the Subaru tragically lost their life, and a three-month-old in the Tesla later died from injuries. With more than three dozen Tesla special crash investigations since 2016 and 20 fatalities reported, the safety of these advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) is under serious scrutiny.
Yes, machines don’t panic or hesitate like humans but what happens when they fail to detect a hazard? Trusting an AI to navigate safely in every situation isn’t a responsibility I’m ready to surrender just yet. Would I take a ride in one? Maybe. But giving up full control behind the wheel? Not anytime soon.
Gesture-Based Interfaces
The Movie Idea:
Minority Report mesmerised audiences with its high-tech, gesture-based interfaces, where characters control complex data displays simply by waving their hands and manipulating holograms in the air. These scenes not only heightened the film’s futuristic feel but also introduced a way of interacting with digital content that broke away from screens and keyboards, offering a whole new way of engaging with technology.
