< Previous3 /9 3 /10 6 TRL /9 T IME CRYSTALS, which are in the early Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned with developing spontaneously symmetrical materials that occupy the lowest energy ground states possible. Recently there have been several breakthroughs in the field including the direct observation of Time Crystals as well as the creation of the first stable Time Crystal whose properties and stability made it ideal for use in Qubit RAM for the next generation of Quantum Computers. As researchers discover more about these odd materials it’s likely that in time they’ll become more impactful and open the door to all manner of new novel use cases. DEFINITION Time Crystals are repeating structures of atoms that move in repetitive motions which cannot loose energy to their environment because they are already in their quantum ground state. EXAMPLE USE CASES As Time Crystals are a relatively new known concept the use cases for them are generally unclear. That said though one of their primary use cases could be as quantum computer memory, and this use case alone makes them a very interesting technology especially as that field expands. Meanwhile, other use cases include using them to maintain highly stable particle beams that are potentially orders of magnitude better than today’s particle beams, which has implications not only for Fusion Energy but also for the healthcare sector, and beyond. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade we will continue to see interest in the field accelerate, primarily led by government grants. While Time Crystals have long been theorised their recent observation and manufacture means that we are now starting to reach a point in time where they could be turned into viable components in all manner of exotic products, from Fusion reactors and particle beams, to Quantum Computers. As a result it’s highly likely that research in the field will increase albeit led by specific niche research groups. While Time Crystals are in the early Prototype Stage over the longer term they could be enhanced by advances in AI, Atomic Manufacturing, Quantum Materials, Quantum Sensors, and other technologies, however over the long term it’s unclear what it could be superseded by. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, explore the field, establish a point of view, experiment with it, and forecast out the potential implications of the technology. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 3 3 2 5 6 2 2 7 1992 2006 2021 2030 2042 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT TIME CRYSTALS STARBURST APPEARANCES: NONE EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 380311institute.com MRL3 /9 2 /10 5 TRL /9 V ASCULARISED NANOCOMPOSITES, which are still in the Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned with trying to create materials that can self-heal under a wide variety of extreme conditions, including within the torus of Fusion Reactors where the Plasma temperatures are so high, often in the hundreds of millions of degrees Celsius, they quickly degrade the materials of the chamber to the point where Fusion quickly collapses. Vascular Nanocomposites are so called because their internal structures resemble those of the human vascular system, containing billions of nanoscale capillaries that are capable of pumping healing liquids to where they’re needed in order to fix breaks, and recently there have been several breakthroughs in the field. DEFINITION Vascularised Nanocomposites are materials that vascularise under specific conditions in a way that allows liquids to flow through them. EXAMPLE USE CASES Today we are using the first Vascularised Nanocomposite prototypes to create the first generation of self-healing Fusion reactors. In the future the primary use cases of the technology will include using it in any applications where self-healing materials have value. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade interest in the field will continue to accelerate, and interest and investment will continue to grow at an accelerating rate, primarily led by organisations in the Energy, and Manufacturing sectors, with support from government funding, and university grants. In time we will see the technology mature to the point where it becomes commercially viable and reliable enough to use in an increasingly wide variety of applications. While Vascularised Nanocomposites are in the Prototype Stage, over the long term they will be enhanced by advances in 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Creative Machines, Nanocomposites, Nano-Manufacturing, Self-Healing Materials, Simulation Engines, and Smart Materials, but at this point in time it is not clear what it will be replaced by. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, establish a point of view, and re- visit it every few years until progress in the space accelerates. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 3 3 4 7 6 4 2 7 1984 2016 2017 2027 2036 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT STARBURST APPEARANCES: ‘18, ‘19 VASCULARISED NANOCOMPOSITES EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 381311institute.com MRLROBOTICSM ENTION THE word “robot” and everyone automatically thinks of mechanical automatons that are either confined to the factory floor or are trying to take over the world. And while the former are now at the point where they can learn new skills via Hive Minds and Human-Robot telepathic connections, the latter, among other things, is being used to help test and flex 3D printed human skin before it’s transplanted onto patients - in short, “Human skin over a metal endoskeleton.” Does that ring any bells? As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible many of the exotic robots we’re developing are helping us build everything from the first Molecular Assemblers to the first Nanobot killing cancer machines, and while we aren’t quite living in the world of sci-fi robots we’re getting very close, especially as they learn how to design, evolve, and manufacture themselves ... In this section you will find details of the emerging technologies that made it into this years Griffin Emerging Technology Starburst along with details of other impactful emerging technologies: 1.Androids 2.Anthrobots 3.Bio-Hybrid Robots 4.Crystal Robots 5.Cyborgs 6.DNA Robots 7.Drones 8.Evolutionary Robotics 9.Exo-Suits 10.General Purpose Robots 11.Inflatable Robots 12.Living Robots 13.Molecular Robots 14.Nano-Machines 15.Neurobiotics 16.Robots 17.Shape Shifting Robots 18.Slime Robots 19.Soft Robots 20.Swarm Robotics 21.Syncell Robots In addition to these emerging technologies there are many others that have yet to get an entry in this codex. These include, but are not limited to: 22.Artificial Nervous Systems 23.Artificial Neurons 24.Artificial Synapses 25.Co-Bots 383311institute.com 26.Conscious Robots 27.Micro Robots 28.Nanobots 29.Polymorphic Robots 30.Robot Plants 31.Soft Exo-Suits 32.Utility Fog BOOK AN EXPERT CALL1 /9 8 /10 3 TRL /9 A NDROIDS, which are in the Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned with making human-like robots that will eventually be indistinguishable from real people. While researchers in the field are slowly edging closer to Uncanny Valley they still have a way to go, but in spite of this advances in several key technology areas, from the development of new actuation systems to new skin- like materials, as well as the use of 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, and Machine Vision, mean that now the end is possibly in sight. Recently there have been a number of developments, such as new human-like eye and vision systems, as well as the production of more life-like and fluid motion systems, as well as new data capture and response systems, that are making Androids increasingly life-like. DEFINITION Androids are a form of robots or other artificial being that is designed to resemble a human. EXAMPLE USE CASES Today Androids are used mostly for entertainment purposes. In the future though researchers believe they could be used to help people extend their physical presence to anywhere on Earth via Tele-Operations and Tele-Presence technologies which would allow those people to carry out physical work, for example, remotely. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade interest in the field will continue to accelerate, and interest and investment will continue to grow at an accelerating rate, primarily led by organisations in the Technology sector. In time we will see Androids mature to the point where they are, to all intents and purposes, indistinguishable from humans at which point regulators will need to discuss how they are governed and their rights, and society will have to adjust. While Androids are in the Prototype Stage, over the long term they will be enhanced by advances in Advanced Manufacturing, Intelligence, Robotics, and Sensor technologies, but at this point in time it is not clear what they will be replaced by but there is no doubt that they will be complimented by Human 2.0 as well as other Robo forms and formats. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, explore the field, establish a point of view, experiment with it, and forecast out the implications of the technology. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 4 2 2 3 7 5 5 8 1966 1972 1999 2040 2064 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT STARBURST APPEARANCES: ‘21, ‘22, ‘24 ANDROIDS EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 384311institute.com MRL3 /9 9 /10 4 TRL /9 A NTHROBOTS, which are in the early Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned wit using human cells to create new forms of programmable living robots that are able to carry out specific functions and tasks. Recently there have been a small number of significant breakthroughs in this field as researchers managed to create not only living functional Anthrobots that could carry out basic tasks such as environmental monitoring, but that could also independently replicate. While this is an interesting technology to watch, with good potential, we must be cognisant of the ethical implications of using human cells to create what can quite literally be viewed as a new species of Artificial Lifeforms - whether they are programmable living robots or not. DEFINITION Anthrobots are programmable mobile living robots made from human cells that can carry out a multitude of different tasks. EXAMPLE USE CASES While the future use cases of this technology include tasks such as monitoring, in time we could also see Anthrobots take on more complex tasks such as building and developing micro or nanoscale materials and products, as well as being used in human in vivo medical applications and elsewhere. They could also one day be imbued with biologically inspired compute and intelligence which would then make them quite a formidable technology with sci-fi-like application albeit at the nano and micro scale. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade we will continue to see interest and investment in Anthrobots increase, primarily led by university grants. While this technology is ethically questionable it does tie in with the larger trend of developing programmable living robots, the usefulness and utility of which will only increase over time. Therefore, while this is a niche technology with a long development and maturity cycle, with possible regulatory hurdles along the way, today we could nonetheless be seeing the development of a new form of Artificial Lifeform, imbued with compute and intelligence that could eventually take on sentience and a literal life of its own. While Anthrobots are still in the early Prototype Stage they could be enhanced by advances in Artificial Intelligence, Biological Computing, Living Robots, Nano Computing, Nanotechnology, Synthetic Biology, and other technologies, however over the long term it could be replaced by a variety of alternative micro and nanoscale robots. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, establish a point of view, and re- visit it every few years until progress in the space accelerates. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 2 3 4 8 6 2 1 7 1931 2014 2023 2034 2067 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT ANTHROBOTS STARBURST APPEARANCES: NONE EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 385311institute.com MRL4 /9 7 /10 5 TRL /9 B IO-HYBRID ROBOTS, which are in the Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned with developing robots, especially small format robots, that incorporate living materials into their designs. Recently there have been a number of breakthroughs in combining basic living tissues, as well as plant tissues, with robots to create a small array of Bio- Hybrid Robots that are capable of lifting objects, movement, and rudimentary sensing. DEFINITION Bio-Hybrid Robots combine different technological and biological components together in order to create new types of robots with new unique properties and capabilities. EXAMPLE USE CASES Today we are using the first Bio-Hybrid Robots to test the impact of new medical treatments on biological tissues. In the future the primary applications of the technology will include drug testing, and pharmaceutical studies, as well as environmental impact studies, and even search and rescue. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade interest in the field will continue to accelerate, and interest and investment will continue to grow at an accelerating rate, primarily led by organisations in the Healthcare and Technology sectors, with support from government funding, and university grants. In time we will see researchers ability to combine biological components with inorganic and synthetic components improve dramatically to the point where they are able to create increasingly complex systems, however, any applications involving healthcare will likely face heavy regulatory burdens which will slow their eventual adoption. While Bio-Hybrid Robots are in the Prototype Stage, over the long term it will be enhanced by advances in 3D Bio-Printing, 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Biological Computing, Bio-Manufacturing, CRISPR Gene Editing, DNA Computing, Micromotes, Nano-Manufacturing, Neurobiotics, Soft Robots, and Tissue Engineering, but at this point in time it is not clear what it will be replaced by. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, establish a point of view, and re- visit it every few years until progress in the space accelerates. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 4 5 3 6 7 4 2 8 1966 2001 2013 2028 2036 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT STARBURST APPEARANCES: ‘18, ‘19, ‘20, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23 BIO-HYBRID ROBOTS EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 386311institute.com MRL2 /9 3 /10 4 TRL /9 C RYSTAL ROBOTS, which are in the Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned with trying to find new ways to animate and use crystals for robotic applications. Recent breakthroughs in this field, which have unsurprisingly been sparse, include the use of AI to design new crystal robots and systems that are capable of self- reconfiguration, or in other words changing shape without any form of human intervention. By building modular crystalline robots, some of which are capable of moving and operating unthethered, researchers believe that this nacent field could have important applications in the development of soft robots and new kinds of sensor systems. However, other recent breakthroughs have included the development of ice robots which can repair themselves and shape shift so, as you can see, this is an interesting albeit wierd technology. DEFINITION Crystal Robots are 2D or 3D mechanical systems composed of crystalline atoms which are capable of performing basic motions. EXAMPLE USE CASES While today this field is nascent it’s believed that some future use cases could include developing Crystal Robots that are capable of responding to particular stimulii, such as temperature, and that they could have applications as sensors, switches, and other areas. However, other more exotic use cases include the use of self-repairing shape shifting ice robots which can be used for interplanetary exploration. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade we will continue to see interest in this field accelerate, albeit from a very low base, predominantly led by government grants. While Crystal Robots will undoubtedly find some niche applications, perhaps in the compute or electronics fields, as well as in the sensor field, it is understandably a very niche technology which means that it is at high risk of stagnating or vanishing altogether. That said though it could be buoyed by the rise in interest in Metamaterials and Nanomanufacturing. While Crystal Robots are still in the Prototype Stage they could be enhanced by advances in AI, Materials, Nanomanufacturing, and other technologies, however over the long term it could be replaced by a variety of alternative robotic and sensor-like technologies. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, and re-visit it every few years until progress in the space accelerates. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 4 5 7 6 5 1 1 6 1955 1980 2014 2032 2046 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT CRYSTAL ROBOTS STARBURST APPEARANCES: NONE 387311institute.com MRL EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech.5 /9 8 /10 7 TRL /9 C YBORGS, which are in the Productisation Stage, is the field of research concerned with trying to develop suites of integrated organic and bio-mechatronic components and systems that can be used either individually or collectively to create a cybernetic organism. While people have been body hacking themselves for decades, in various ways, recently there have been a number of developments that will accelerate the development of fully fledged cybernetic organisms. These include the development of the first Biological-Artificial neurons and synapses, an acceleration in the development of bionic components and organic compute and network constructs, bio-compatible electronics and materials, and a variety of other innovations. DEFINITION Cyborgs are people whose physical abilities have been extended beyond normal human limitations by mechanical elements built into the body. EXAMPLE USE CASES Today most people who call themselves Cyborgs have used technology to augment only a few of their human attributes, such as being able to hear colour. In the future though the technologies behind the Cyborg movement will fuel the trend of human augmentation, and what some people have called “The ultimate human accessories.” FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade interest in the field will continue to accelerate, and interest and investment will continue to grow at an accelerating rate, primarily led by organisations in the Healthcare and Technology sectors, with support from government funding and university grants. In time we will see the technologies needed to create cybernetic organisms mature to the point where regulators and society at large will be faced with questions that range from the issues of Trans- Speciation through to how to regulate human augmentation, Human 2.0, and the Singularity. While Cyborgs are in the Prototype Stage, over the long term they will be enhanced by advances in Artificial Intelligence, Bio-Compatible electronics and materials, Bio-Robotic Sensors, Brain Machine Interfaces, Machine Vision, as well as Advanced Manufacturing, Biotech, Communications, Compute, Energy, Materials, Robotics, and Sensor technologies, but at this point in time it is not clear what they will be replaced by. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, explore the field, establish a point of view, experiment with it, and forecast out the implications of the technology. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 3 4 3 6 5 4 3 9 1964 1976 1996 2011 >2075 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT STARBURST APPEARANCES: ‘21, ‘22 CYBORGS EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 388311institute.com MRL4 /9 8 /10 4 TRL /9 D NA ROBOTS, which are in the Concept Stage and early Prototype Stage, is the field of research concerned with developing robots made exclusively from DNA that are capable of performing an increasingly wide array of actions. Recently there have been several breakthroughs in the technology, primarily in the areas of DNA Origami, and DNA Synthesis, that have allowed researchers to create programmable DNA robots capable of performing very specific actions, such as product assembly and sorting, which means that one day they could form the basis of the world’s first viable Molecular Assemblers. DEFINITION DNA Robots are robots made from DNA that can be pre- programmed to interact in a predictable way to perform specific actions. EXAMPLE USE CASES Today we are using prototype DNA Robots to assemble and sort molecular sized products, and detect cancers. In the future the primary applications of the technology will include Healthcare applications, Molecular Assemblers, and many more. FUTURE TRAJECTORY AND REPLACABILITY Over the next decade interest in the field will continue to accelerate, and interest and investment will continue to grow at an accelerating rate, primarily led by organisations in the Healthcare sector, with support from government funding, and university grants. In time we will see researchers become capable of increasingly complex machines that offer a more sophisticated range of abilities, and the technology could also be enhanced with the technologies named below to create DNA Robots with built in compute and intelligence. While DNA Robots are in the Concept Stage and early Prototype Stage, over the long term they will be enhanced by advances in 3D Bio-Printing, Biological Computing, CRISPR Gene Editing, DNA Computing, DNA Neural Networks, Molecular Assemblers, Soft Robots, but at this point in time it is not clear what it will be replaced by. MATTHEW’S RECOMMENDATION In the short to medium term I suggest companies put the technology on their radars, establish a point of view, and re- visit it every few years until progress in the space accelerates. 15 SECOND SUMMARY Accessibility Affordability Competition Demonstration Desirability Investment Regulation Viability 2 4 2 6 8 3 1 8 1995 2010 2016 2034 2040 STATUS PRIMARY GLOBAL DEVELOPMENT AREAS IMPACT DNA ROBOTS STARBURST APPEARANCES: ‘19, ‘20, ‘21, ‘22, ‘23, ‘24 EXPLORE MORE. Click or scan me to learn more about this emerging tech. 389311institute.com MRLNext >