Read the following and discuss the likelihood of the predictions using the expressions in the box

Discussion

SHAPING THE FUTURE

U N I T 2

The best way to predict the future is to invent it. Alan Key, director of research at Apple

WARM UP

Using the information from the text make up your own suggestions about the possible innovations that may happen in the future.

Tired of walking your dog and finding its hair everywhere? Sony’s robotic dog, AIBO, may be for you.

AIBO is a totally autonomous robot capable of hearing and seeing, sensing balance and touch. Eighteen specialized motors allow such dog-like motions as rolling over, scratching, playing dead, and chasing a pink ball. Like a puppy, with time and training AIBO develops perfect movements and unique behavior patterns. Programmed to seek companionship, AIBO simulates emotions like happiness, surprise, and anger and is clever at responding to verbal commands.

It’s already happened. According to this, it should’ve already happened, but it hasn’t so far. I suppose it’s inevitable. It’s bound to happen sooner or later. It might just happen. It’s pretty unlikely in the foreseeable future. I can’t see it happening in my lifetime. It could never happen. There’s no way it could happen. It’s pure science fiction.

BTEXACT TECHNOLOGIES 2001 The future is hard to predict but one thing is certain – in the distant future the world will be a very different place. The technology timeline is produced to give BT researchers and managers a view of what the operating environment may be like at any future date, so that our products and services can be better targeted to the needs of the customer. Not all these technologies will be successful in the marketplace. Some won’t ever be implemented at all, but as the rest come on stream, our lives will improve in many ways.
Innovation	Date expected
– Designer babies – Cars with automatic steering – 25 % of TV celebrities computer-generated – Insect-like robots used in warfare – Academic study unnecessary in the age of smart machines – First manned mission to Mars – Space hotel for 300 guests – Electronic pets outnumber organic pets – Fully functioning artificial eyes – Holographic TV – Virtual reality used extensively in retirement homes – Emotion control devices – Robots physically and mentally superior to humans – First Bionic Olympics – Direct human-to-computer brainlink – Moonbase the size of a small village – Time travel invented – Faster-than-light travel	– 2005 – 2008 – 2010 – 2010 – 2013 – 2015 – 2015 – 2020 – 2024 – 2025 – 2025 – 2025 – 2030 – 2030 – 2030 – 2040 – 2075 – 2100
BTexact Technologies

2 Which of these technologies would:

a) be the most beneficial to society?

b) have the most marketing potential?

c) be the most controversial?

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