Futuristic Technology From Movies That Became A Part Of Real World
25. Head-Up Display (HUD)
As Seen In: Iron Man (2008) The Iron Man suit had an extraordinary interface in its helmet which was used for overlaying data in Iron Man’s field of vision. It is a perfect example for the technology known as Heads Up Display in real life. Fighter pilots have been using HUD for a long time. However, it is now being adapted into high end supercars for projecting speed and navigation data on the windshield. Additionally, AR glasses like Meta Quest 3 and virtual reality headsets bring the same interactive element to common folk.
24. Diagnostic Beds (Medi-Beds)
As Seen In: Elysium (2013) The Med-Bay used in Elysium was a revolutionary technology that could diagnose and cure diseases within mere seconds. Even though we are far from curing diseases within seconds, the technology is slowly being adapted into our daily lives. Advanced beds and pads used for diagnostics can integrate multiple sensors to monitor the health of a person in real-time. MRI and PET scan machines are the direct example of this concept.
23. Universal Translator
As Seen In: Star Trek (Franchise) The crew aboard the USS Enterprise could easily communicate with alien species thanks to their Universal Translator. Humanity is yet to contact or learn about aliens or their dialect but already use this technology to converse and communicate with people around the world. In our pockets, we have services like Google Translate which make the job as easy as searching for a solution over the internet helping us surpass any language barriers.
22. Hoverboards
As Seen In: Back to the Future Part II (1989) Marty McFly’s flying skateboard was a fever dream for the kids of the 90s. We are yet to introduce gravity defying hoverboards but companies are already working on creating realistic versions of the same technology. Lexus has created a board which uses magnetic levitation technology to run on a special track. Other companies have been working on drone like hoverboards with generate lift with powerful rotors.
21. Smart Homes
As Seen In: Smart House (1999) The movie depicted a house with a central AI system that controlled everything from turning on the lights to cooking food. Now, this has become a reality for a large number of homes. The devices like Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant and Apple’s HomeKit work with IoT (Internet of Things) to control every function and technology using voice commands of the user. The smart home has become reality from a fictional concept.
20. Exoskeletons
As Seen In: Aliens (1986) The Alien Queen and Ripley’s Power Loader exoskeleton created one of the most iconic fights in the history of Hollywood. This technology is also being used in our daily lives for various purposes. Ekso Bionics and Sarcos are the companies focused on developing real world exoskeletons. They are helping paraplegics walk again and used in industrial setting to help workers complete tasks which require huge strength. It reduced the risk of injury while decreasing the effort applied by the wearer.
19. Lab-Grown Meat
As Seen In: Antiviral (2012) The film was created on a horror premise which was absolutely unacceptable in the society. Although, the real life example is was created for much more humane and logical reason. The reasoning behind lab-grown meat is to reduce and potentially end the slaughter of animals for consumption for meat and meat based nutrients. It is being presented as an ethical and sustainable alternative to traditional meat in the market.
18. 3D Food Printers
As Seen In: Star Trek (Franchise) The ‘replicator’ used in Star Trek can materialize and produce any food on command. Even though we can’t create food out of thin air as it disobeys the laws of physics, we do have the next best alternative of a 3D printer. These devices can print intricate 3D designs with materials like chocolate or even create meals by building edible pastes layer by layer.
17. Flexible Screens
As Seen In: Minority Report (2002) The futuristic world of Minority Report was composed of thin and flexible displays. This technology, is now a reality for us in the 21st century. The development of OLED screens and folding phones has created the premise of flexible displays. The devices like Samsung Galaxy Fold and Motorola Razr are among the pioneers in this technology. The companies are also working on a similar solution for TVs and transparent screen.
16. Autonomous (Self-Driving) Cars
As Seen In: Total Recall (1990) & I, Robot (2004) Self-driving cars are an important aspect of any futuristic or sci-fi dystopian setting in a movie. Almost every movie based on the possibility of our future uses a self-driving car controlled by AI. Now, companies like Tesla, Wayma and Cruise have been delivering them in reality. These companies have developed and tested autonomous self-driving cars which are legally allowed for use on public roads. They use a mix of sensors, cameras and AI to navigate a rider safely.
15. Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Personality
As Seen In: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) & Her (2013) Artificial Intelligence with personality is something that many movies have referenced time to time. It is a very scary yet interesting concept about the progression of AI to the point of attaining consciousness. Today, we interact with AIs daily as chat bots and Large Language Models. Google Assistant, Siri, Copilot and Bixby are some of the popular AI personalities we encounter daily.
14. 3D Printing
As Seen In: Westworld (1973) The original film features the creation of android robots using a process that strongly resembles a modern 3D printer. The power of additive manufacturing is an important part of today’s industries and engineers’ work. The 3D printer is an amazing technology which is used for rapid prototyping and creation of custom devices. It goes as far as creating personal medical implants to use during surgeries. The 3D printer is being used everywhere with a lot of reliability in its products.
13. Bionic Limbs
As Seen In: Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) Luke Skywalker’s legendary battle with Darth Vader ended up with him receiving bionic limbs which look and function like real arms. The idea which once a part of fantasy is now a modern scientific marvel. Modern prosthetic limbs are able to connect directly to a user’s muscles and nervous system. It allows the user to regain control of the primary functions in their lost limb via a bionic limb. The companies are also working on offering 3D printed limbs in order to provide this life changing technology at an affordable price.
12. Cryosleep
As Seen In: Alien (1979) & Avatar (2009) A number of different sci-fi or space movies have touched the idea of cryosleep. It involves putting a person’s body stasis for a long period of time. The idea has not become a reality but its is already being worked on in medical applications. Therapeutic hypothermia is the process of cooling down a patient’s body to slow down the metabolism of the patient. It helps them in reducing the brain damage from a cardiac arrest or stroke.
11. Wearable Computers
As Seen In: Dick Tracy (1990) The two-way radio watch was once the peak of science fiction. However, the modern inventions scoff at the limits and simplicity of this idea. An Apple Watch or a Samsung Galaxy Smartwatch has enough features in it to make it a mobile computer being worn on hands. From playing music, making calls and measuring steps, it goes even further to monitor our health with ECG and blood oxygen sensors.
10. Voice-Controlled Computers
As Seen In: Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home (1986) The film showed an extraordinary concept of Scotty trying to converse with a computer mouse. The idea of controlling a device with merely your voice was a novel part of fiction. Although, with AI like Siri, Alex and Google Assistant integrated in our phones, we communicate with various devices with voice commands only.
9. Video Calls
As Seen In: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) Video calls are an important part of our daily life. From important meetings and business deals to reaching out to our loved ones, video calls have been a part and parcel of communication. In Stanley Kubick’s masterpiece, Dr. Heywood Floyd video calls his daughter from the space station. At that time was a stunning depiction of future, which has become reality for us.
8. Gesture-Based Interfaces
As Seen In: Minority Report (2002) The iconic act of manipulating data on a giant transparent screen with hand gestures remains an important part of any movie. Today, it’s more than a symbol of futuristic computing. Motion-sensing devices have gesture control to games and companies like Leap Motion are also designing controllers to track hand movements with extraordinary precision in real-time.
7. Facial Recognition
As Seen In: Blade Runner (1982) & Minority Report (2002) The ability to unlock doors and vaults by identifying the biometrics of a person was a key idea in dystopian worlds of the 90s films. With FaceID and other software this technology is a widespread in today’s world. Almost every computer based system allows users the option to use their face as a security key. It helps them unlock and secure the devices with ease and seamless transition.
6. Digital Billboards
As Seen In: Blade Runner (1982) The futuristic Los Angeles portrayed in Blade Runner was dominated by animated digital billboards. This aesthetic was adopted in reality with major cities utilizing such billboards. Giant LED screens like Tokyo’s Shibuya Crossing or the Times Square of New York are able to display dynamics high-resolution content advertising or promoting various items.
5. Tablet Computers
As Seen In: 2001: A Space Odyssey (1968) The astronauts in 2001: A Space Odyssey were utilizing portable screens to watch videos and review data. It was long before the invention and public usage of the first iPad. These screens were a remarkably accurate prediction of the modern day, tablet computer. The devices like Samsung Galaxy Tab, iPad, Google Tablet have revolutionized this scientific fiction story in a portable tool for common public.
4. Submarines
As Seen In: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (Based on the 1870 novel) Jules Verne was the godfather of science fiction and predicted a number of different ideas. His novels inspired many film adaptations which include the ideas we use today. Captain Nemo and his submarine Nautilus was vessel of wonder for the readers and audience of the past. In the 20th century, these submarines became a critical part of naval forces and deep sea exploration projects.
3. Robots
As Seen In: Metropolis (1927) The Maschinenmensch (Machine-Person) from Fritz Lang's silent science fiction masterpiece was perhaps the most amazing prediction of future. Thankfully we do not have any sentient androids yet but we have become accustomed to the usage and idea of robots in our daily life. Industrial robots from Boston Dynamics are able to perform multiple complex tasks and AI powered robots are successfully able to mimic human actions and personality.
2. Lasers
As Seen In: Goldfinger (1964) The scene where an industrial laser nearly bisected James Bond was terrifying but awe inducing prediction of today’s technology. Lasers are an unparalleled and amazing industrial invention. It is an essential part of the manufacturing industry and precision based models. Lasers are also used in a variety of applications in our daily life, from barcode scanners to Blu-ray video players.
1. Space Travel
As Seen In: A Trip to the Moon (1902) Georges Méliès' silent film was the very first depiction of space travel in cinema. It was a whimsical fantasy of the humans to land on the moon. It took 67 years but humanity was finally able to realize this dream. The Apollo 11 moon landing suddenly brought every novel and science fiction movie to a stunning proof of reality. Since then, humanity has progressed much further, building space stations, mapping the solar system with probes and even sending robots on various planets.
