Trends Identified
Slow shift in the types of resources that are scarce, and the areas that are at risk
Resource scarcity is a potential source of conflict. Advances in synthetic biology could reduce pressure on some scarce natural resources by increasing the security of energy, material and food sources. In parallel, new and different minerals may become scarce. For example, lithium reserves may come under pressure as the demand for batteries grows. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change anticipates that food and water scarcity driven by climate change will be a growing issue and a potential source of conflict and population displacement. Cheaper solar energy would lower the cost of desalination, which could increase food production and reduce the number of refugees forced to leave some drought-prone food-growing areas. This could be bolstered by the development of hardier crops and more adaptive farming methods using new technologies.
2013
Metascan 3 emerging technologies
Canada, Policy Horizons Canada
Smart and transparent land use management
Transparency of real-time land use practices enabled by 4IR technologies including IoT sensors, cloud and big data, drones and advanced satellites, will be a game changer for implementing climate smart land use practices, and driving accountability in agriculture and forestry value chains.
2017
Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet
PWC
Smart cities and homes
Known technical solution areas which require innovation to realise their potential and enable scale of deployment: Connected homes, High-efficiency heating, cooling, lighting, and appliances, High-efficiency windows and insulation, Building energy storage, Technology- enabled urban planning and building design, Next-generation commercial building management.
2017
Innovation for the Earth - Harnessing technological breakthroughs for people and the planet
PWC
Smart controls and appliances
Example of Organizationsactive in the area: Amazon (US), Google/Alphabet (US), Philips (Netherlands), Samsung (South Korea), Dyson (UK), Miele (Germany), iRobot (US).
2018
Table of disruptive technologies
Imperial College London
Smart dust
Example of Organizationsactive in the area: MOOG (US), Darpa (US).
2018
Table of disruptive technologies
Imperial College London
Smart energy grids
Example of Organizationsactive in the area: Tesla (US), ABB (Switzerland), Siemens (Germany), IBM (US), Itron (US).
2018
Table of disruptive technologies
Imperial College London
Smart Farm Technology
[Definition]. Technology which controls the entire process of agriculture, livestock and fisheries industries in an intelligent manner and enhances productivity, efficiency and stability based on information and communication technology. [Application]. Resolves safety issues in the entire process of food production, distribution and consumption, and contributes to alleviating the qualitative and quantitative polarization of food resources through enhancement of productivity and efficiency.
2018
KISTEP 10 Emerging Technologies 2018
South Korea, Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning (KISTEP)
Smart flooring & carpets
Example of Organizationsactive in the area:2 Starwood Hotels (US), MariCare (Finland), Scanalytics (US), Futureshape (Germany).
2018
Table of disruptive technologies
Imperial College London