Fantastic future Nobody really knows what the great inventions of the FUTURE might be, but here’s some that just might make the grade.
The silent plan unique sha e’s pe is th e secret to
Space tourism Thousands of space cadets have put their names down to boldly go where no man has gone before, with one-way trips to Mars scheduled for a decade in the future. The intention is to establish a colony on the red planet—the first human settlement outside of Earth.
Human clones It all began in 1997 when Dolly the sheep became the first animal clone (identical replica of an existing organism). Pigs, cows, dogs, and mice have since entered the clone zone, and now there’s talk of cloning people. However, many governments have banned this controversial concept, preferring not to meddle with nature.
Hoverbike High-tech hoverbikes could soon help commuters rise above the morning rat race. Powered by light jet engines, this invention could float way above the traffic, taking the driver directly to his or her destination. As the world’s roads become increasingly jammed, hoverbike users could fly free as birds.
ke you a m ld u o w e ik b r Riding a hove from the crowd. stand out
Sonic washer Future washing machines may use ultrasound and static electricity, rather than soap and water. Popping ultrasound waves into your dirty laundry would free the filth, while electrostatic attractors zapped it away, trapping grime in a murky mess at the bottom. 124
Silent planes
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Noisy air traffic can be a real headache for people living under flight paths. In the future, those on the ground may enjoy the sound of silence, thanks to the work of Cambridge University in England and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. These educational forces are off to a flying start with a new aircraft so quiet that no one outside of an airport can hear it. In addition to bringing peace and harmony, this is an eco-friendly option, burning far less fuel than today’s aircraft.
Toothphone Here’s a hands-free invention to really sink your teeth into. Inventors are researching a toothphone to direct-dial your pearly whites. With a mini-microchip placed in one of your teeth, incoming calls would be transmitted by sending vibrations along the jaw straight into your ear. No more choosing handsets and phone covers! Just brush up on your dental hygiene to ensure that your toothphone remains on call.
Robot sports coaches When you’re going for the gold playing your favorite sport, you don’t want a slow coach. To be the best, try hands-on training from fully computerized sports coaches. At 7 ft (2.1 m) tall, Robo-Coach is 10 times stronger than the average person. It can play any sport for 36 hours nonstop before the batteries run out. Video cameras record performances and can be played back in 3-D on the robot’s chest. If a session with Robo-Coach leaves you exhausted, it will even give you a relaxing massage.
