EMERGINGEmerging Technologies TECHNOLOGY Copyright©2018 ISBN: 978-9988-2-1989-5 EMERGING TECHNOLOGY AUTHORS Mr. Eric Opoku Osei Noah Darko-Adjei Emmanuel Wiredu All rights reserved, No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any means or form, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the expressed written consent of the authors. Design, Layout, Print, Published & Distributed By: Yes You Can Multi-Business Centre Amasaman, Ga-West. Greater Accra Region, Ghana Tel: (+233) 275799894 / (+233) 547824601 1 P.O. Box MS 570 Mile 7 New Achimota Greater Accra Region, Ghana Email:[email protected] Department of Information Studies P.O.BOX LG 60 University of Ghana, Legon. 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 PREFACE In this day and age, technology is the driving force of development and innovation, as the true essence of modernity. Inventions such as the smartphone, smart homes, the driverless cars, and even artificial organs, are all brilliant examples of this golden era of technology. As part of a learning activity project under the topic 'Emerging Technologies’ in the INFS 428 course syllabus, each students was tasked with choosing and researching any ground-breaking topic supported by the theories of microelectronics and systems computerisation. This book was the end result. From scientific breakthroughs, to agricultural methodologies, to household accessories and everyday objects, any field one could possibly imagine is contained within this book. Whatever one may be interested in or looking for, this book has it all. It is an essential must have for any potential information profession 12 13 TABLE OF CONTENT PREFACE…………………………………………………………....………………………….12 INTRODUCTION……………………………………………………………………………….15 CHAPTER 1 (AGRICULTURE)…………………………......………………………...……...29 CHAPTER 2 (BUSINESS ) ………………………...………………………………….….........60 CHAPTER 3 (CONSTRUCTIONS)……………………………………………………………78 CHAPTER 4 (EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY)…………………………………………..80 CHAPTER 5 (ELECTRONIC)……………………..……………………………….…………99 CHAPTER 6 (ENERGY)…….………………………………………………………………..110 CHAPTER 7 (FINANCE)……………………………………………………….…………….118 CHAPTER 8 (HEALTH TECHNOLOGY)…...…………..…………………………………131 CHAPTER 9 (IT AND COMMUNICATION………………………………………………..194 CHAPTER 10 (LIFE STYLE)…………………...………………………...………………….235 CHAPTER 11 (MILITARY)…………………………………………………………………267 CHAPTER 12 (NEUROSICENCE)…………………….....………………..………...…....…271 CHAPTER 13 (OUTER SPACE)...…..……………………………………………………....282 CHAPTER 14 (RECRUITMENT)……………………………...……………………………284 CHAPTER 15 (ROBOTICS (ROBOTICS)………………………………………..………..288 CHAPTER 15 (SECURITY)……………………………….....………………………………293 14 INTRODUCTION In the last fifty (50) years, the world has experienced a great surge in technological advancements across many industries and fields of interest; science is continuously unlocking new frontiers. New inventions pop up every day and serve to improve human quality of life in various ways. As mentioned before, this book is a collation of the above mentioned innovations that exist in the modern world. Some are already widely known and patronised; others are still in the design phase, while others are fresh off the drawing board. Emerging technology is all about new technical innovations or advancements being made in technology. This includes those currently being developed and those proposed to be developed in five or ten years’ time. There are various kinds of emerging technologies found today and they include: information technology, wireless data connections, man-machine communications, customized printing, bio technology or robotics. Emerging technologies have become a major of part of our lives today by making tough tasks easier and quicker. Advantages of emerging technologies include: it may be used as a tool for improving businesses thus ensuring maximum number of needs are fulfilled, the technological advancements are helpful in providing continuous broadband services which may lead to larger data storage capacity, it makes large data sharing from one point to another a possibility, it aids rational decision making in information management which results in efficient resource allocation for organizations and lastly it helps strengthen business relationships which allows organizations collaborate regardless of how widespread they are from each other. 15 Some flaws of emerging technologies include: high chances of security issues such as hackers which may be a threat to businesses, when used illegally it may lead to increase in crime in many areas for example online banking, it is very costly; there are costs involved in manufacture, maintenance and training, some technologies may be inaccessible in poor or developing countries due to their high cost, complexity and the countries’ low literacy ratio. IT experts are now under pressure to ensure the accuracy and availability of the new systems being designed so large organizations acquire 24/7 IT teams to cater for issues arising between operations. This kind of pressure may result into large stress and imperfections in work due to overload. This introduction contains brief summaries of each chapter or section. Each chapter contains articles written by students highlighting various emerging technologies that they have identified as noteworthy and therefore explained in terms of mode of operation and the benefits and/or drawbacks of these technologies to society. These technologies span across sectors, from neuroscience to education, and lifestyle. Agriculture Agriculture has not been left out of the technology race; from devices that are able to accurately monitor weather patterns, to robots capable of performing various farming processes, innovation also exists in agriculture. Designs like the vertical farming array allow for the cultivation of produce in places where arable land is in short supply. Machines that have access to vast libraries of plant data are able to identify and differentiate weeds from regular plants, enabling effective weeding and application of herbicides; agricultural drones are able to help farmers design and 16 create their ideal farming space; monitoring systems are available to track farm vehicles and machinery using mobile devices; a farming knowledge-based community app exists to help farmers receive and share advice regarding best farming practices. We have seen an improvement in the Agricultural sector; gone are the days where people in the Agricultural field had to do everything manually. This section explores how the emergence of sophisticated technology has and can contribute to the Agricultural field Electronics Electronics have contributed immensely in various fields leading to a much smoother and easier means of operation. It’s been employed in communication, sports, retail shops and more, performing various tasks that make a once cumbersome task much more simpler. Education Education is definitely not left untouched by the technological paintbrush. This section explores adaptive learning software, educational systems supported by mobile devices (enabling education on the go), handheld scanners to help students scan textbooks and diagrams to study with on mobile devices, and text-to-speech software to aid learning. Business This chapter considers various potential applications of technology to the field of business, from mobile money and crypto currency, to pyrometrics (the use of artificial intelligence and 17 neuroscience to create a game-based aptitude test simulation that helps to match users to the right professions). The business world is characterized by the constant need for transactions, outsmarting competition and ensuring that consumers are satisfied with products and services. This has probably fuelled the rise in various emerging technologies that make transactions easier and very convenient as well as safe for consumers. Construction The section explores the promotion of sustainable construction and preservation of the natural environment, through the use of arcology (a combination of architecture and ecology), bringing societies a step closer to futuristic design which incorporates natural elements without destroying them. The world as we know now is moving rapidly towards an industrialized society however, with these achievements come frightening cases of pollution and climate change which threaten the very existence of humans in the long run. Scientists are hard at work building safe havens which could become the saviour to these detrimental hazards plaguing man. Educational Learning forms a part of our lives from birth till death. The educational sector is not left out as emerging technology has contributed to making learning easier and much more available to people. 18 It satisfies teacher's needs by providing easy means for them to grade STUDENT’S work, finding solutions for people with dyslexia, among many others. Financial The financial world is defined by the exchange of currencies for various transactions. Slowly, the financial sectors are moving towards an era where every business transaction will be cashless. The introduction of crypto currencies as well as digital payment networks is gradually making waves as it’s more convenient. Health The articles in this chapter deal with technological advancements in the health sector, such as robot systems designed to aid surgical procedures, a mat that uses magnetic therapy to cure patients with arthritis, insomnia, fatigue and convulsions, a real tie virtual reality system that gives physicians the ability to