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Smarter, more integrated technology is already changing everything from the devices in our hands to the way we collaborate with colleagues and even buy groceries. We are seeing massive changes happening as artificial intelligence and edge computing proliferate, bringing power and efficiency to countless industries and activities.
But what will 2023 (and beyond) bring? What surprises can our rapidly evolving relationship with technology bring?
Below we explore some of the technologies that are already here – but that will further change our world in the near future.
1. “Holographic” technology will breathe life into conferences
In our new hybrid world of work, technology will accelerate the creation of meetings in which “holographic” attendees feel almost as real as if they were there.
Technology that can bring teams together, even if they work across several continents, will become increasingly important in the hybrid, remote and increasingly global workplace of the future.
For presentations, product launches, or meetings with other organizations, augmented and mixed reality will give organizations a new way to make an impact, with life-size “holograms” that can interact with virtual objects (e.g., to demonstrate new prototypes, or Explore “digital twins” of real-world objects).
Lenovo’s concept cyberspace technology demonstrates how this “phygital” approach (mixing physical and digital) works, using specially coated glass that is translucent and semi-reflective, allowing the person behind it to physically interact with life-sized objects.
2. Shapeshifting devices will facilitate hybrid work
In an age of multitasking and devices designed to shoot and edit video, stream content, play games, and all the other activities we pack into our portable devices, screen size still counts. In the future, the phones in our pockets may actually be much smaller — a reversal of the long-standing trend of smartphones — but “expand” or “unfold” to become larger when we need to use them. A humble, familiar device can be switched into productivity mode at the touch of a button.
Motorola’s Rollable Proof of Concept, which debuted at Lenovo Tech World, is compact enough to fit in a pocket and unfolds into a large screen when retracted.
This year, Lenovo and Motorola unveiled two groundbreaking devices that demonstrate how future devices will transform according to the user’s needs, equipping the hybrid mobile user of the future.
Motorola’s 312 Labs innovation group has designed a conceptual rollable smartphone that shrinks down to just 4.5 inches tall — more portable than most high-end devices.
When users need more screen real estate (for work, or just to relax watching movies or playing games), the concept device’s display expands from 5 inches to 6.5 inches, the same size as market-leading devices.
For mobile workers, Lenovo also showed off a proof-of-concept rollable PC that touts a 15.3-inch screen to boost productivity (for example, to give coders extra screen real estate). Thanks to a motor inside the laptop, the screen scrolls on command, so workers can be more productive and flexible at the touch of a button.
For those who want portability, privacy, and expanded screen real estate, don’t be surprised if you see more people “wearing” their screens.
3. The virtual world will change the way we work
Virtual worlds will get closer and closer to reality — but it won’t be about cartoon avatars and games. Instead, Metaverse technology will be driven by the world of work, not entertainment.
In terms of metaverse development, we’re probably at a stage comparable to the World Wide Web in the mid-90s, with the big leap just around the corner. Teams will learn to collaborate, share, and work in an immersive space we call the Enterprise Metaverse, which will drive adoption of the technology. Unlike games like flight simulators, it will be “job simulators” — immersive training — that will drive metaverse adoption.
Solutions such as Lenovo’s ThinkReality VRX headset are coming to market, enabling employees to collaborate in virtual reality and enable fast, cost-effective training programs.
At Lenovo, we believe the future of the Metaverse is collaborative and truly open, where ideas and technology can be shared easily, rather than being confined within a “walled garden” controlled by one company.
4. Stores will get smarter
AI will increasingly shape the world around us — and speed up everyday activities like shopping.
In the near future, AI servers may analyze multiple video feeds from cameras in store aisles to watch for large numbers of items being removed at the same time, and monitor deliveries to stores to ensure inventory remains high. This will allow stores to track items more efficiently, adapt to supply and demand more quickly, and improve profit margins — and ensure customers get their money’s worth.
When customers “click to buy,” AI cameras keep an eye on them to make sure they get what they ordered, eliminating an annoying part of the modern self-checkout shopping experience.
US retailer Kroger has 2,750 stores in the US and is using Lenovo edge AI servers to spot issues at checkout. Lenovo’s edge servers monitor video data in real time, and if an item is not scanned, the AI system provides a “nudge” to the customer in the form of a five-second video that is displayed on a screen at the checkout counter. Customers can then choose to fix the problem—Lenovo’s AI server is capable of intelligently monitoring 20 high-resolution video sources simultaneously.
5. Multi-access edge computing (MEC) will power smart cities
In the future, smart cameras will manage traffic in “smart cities”, reducing pollution, congestion and road accidents — while edge computing servers will enable everything from holographic teaching to augmented reality shopping.
Why edge computing? Multi-access edge computing (MEC) means that requests are processed inside the smart city without having to travel to some distant data center, meaning queries can be answered within milliseconds. In Barcelona, a pilot program showcased the power of edge computing, with 3,000 Lenovo servers across the city enabling IoT devices and cameras to send data where it’s needed.
In the future, edge computing could even help cities meet pollution targets by controlling traffic lights so cars can drive more fuel-efficiently.
6. Hybrid work will enable new technologies
The way we work has changed forever, and in tomorrow’s new hybrid workspace, the way companies use technology will change—towards things like smart sensors, and to leasing everything from hardware to the office experience itself.
This will cut overhead for new businesses and allow young companies to scale up more quickly and flexibly.
This shift is already underway, with a Lenovo survey of 500 CTOs finding that 43 percent said their company’s technology architecture had “improved,” with smart devices (76 percent) and smart IoT (70 percent) The importance of such elements has also soared over the past year.
Businesses will move to a more streamlined model where the entire office experience and associated solutions and services can be provided by third parties. Lenovo now offers a managed employee experience, where companies can rent workplace solutions beyond just hardware or software—including, for example, IT infrastructure and support, performance analytics, and cloud and data infrastructure services.
About the author: Mohammed Hilili is the Managing Director of Lenovo Gulf.
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