“In its annual '5 in 5' predictions, IBM forecasted that in five years, computers will gain the five senses and be able to experience the world as humans do.” – CNN Money
Imagine a world where you could feel that expensive polo or blouse you’ve always wanted without going to the store… perhaps even smell it. New research from IBM conveys an astonishing fact that computers will be able to acquire all five senses of sight, smell, touch, hearing, and even taste, by the year 2018. The study does not only apply to computers, but even smart phones.
See No Evil, Hear No Evil
By 2018, computers
will not only be able to match our sense of sight, but surpass it. In five
years, computers will be able to interpret complex colors, textures, and
patterns, while simultaneously compare it to other “visual media.” IBM claims
that computers will be able to decode MRI and CT scans, X-Rays, and ultrasound
images better than the abilities of well-trained physicians. By storing these
images into its vast database, and then investigating them, computers will be
able to diagnose healthy tissue from malicious.
Hearing is another expected quality that computers will acquire.
New apps will be able to detect baby frequencies and then distinguish whether
they are distress or comfort signals. In fact, the technology is supposed to become so precise that computers
will be able to determine whether the child is hungry, cranky, or ill. However,
its not just limited to babies. By translating different pressures, vibrations
and frequencies, computers will predict pending landslides, car accidents, and
perhaps tsunamis even before humans can. Computers are already achieving this
for example in Galway bay Ireland, where IBM researchers can capture
underwater frequency levels to assess its impact on oceanic life.
The Proof is In the Pudding
Computers will
also be able to break down the chemistry of food to a molecular level. By
comparing its composition to its database, computers will correctly be able to
mimic which taste of any particular entrée is most appealing. IBM claims that
by making healthy foods “taste better” it will help people “eat better.”
Although I do not necessarily think this is true, it is definitely an
interesting idea. Although its not actually “tasting” we see this technology
being used today. For example, microchips are being programmed in nuclear
plants to sense chemical and biohazards in the air.
Breathe into that iPhone
Today,
computers are practically “smelling” things. For instance any police officer
can have you breathe into a Breathalyzer, which will detect your level of intoxication.
Also, agricultural sensors analyze soil to determine crop conditions and museum
sensors detect the ideal gas levels to preserve paintings. However, IBM is
trying to take it a step further in developing technology that will be able to
analyze odor in people’s breath to identify particular infections or diseases.
If computers can compare molecules in a persons breath and associate it to a
disease, then they will be able to achieve “taste.” The next time you think you
have a fever, forget about that thermometer and just breathe into your iPhone
10.0 to find out.
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| The 5 Senses |
In Summary, But What Does it Mean for Us?
According to IBM, computers are
supposedly going to become super humans. Are we really supposed to believe by
2018 that computers will have fantastic vision, impressive sight, phenomenal
taste, and amazing hearing capabilities? The facts seem to be there today even
though it may be on an elementary level. According to Fortune Magazine in May of 2012, IBM was ranked as the second
largest U.S firm in terms of number of employees-- over 430,000, #9 in most
profitable, and #19 in largest revenue.
In 2011, Forbes ranked IBM as
#31 largest global revenue. With revenue of $106 Billion (2011), IBM seems
confident in paving the way of the future of technology in the coming five
years. Regardless of its reputation, the company will surely be around by 2018.
If IBM can pull off such a prodigy then our world is definitely going to change
dramatically within the coming decade. A computer achieving human sense is only
the beginning of what we know of singularity. We are at the stage where
computers have already out performed us numerically. Now, they have achieved human
qualities. It is only a matter of time until computers develop intellectually,
and absolutely reign as its own species.
Sources:
Goldman, David. CNN Money. "By 2018, computers will touch, see, hear, and smell."
Rama, Gladys. RPC Magazine. "Intel, IBM Exceed Earnings Estimates; Google falls short."
