Stanford Media X Ten Innovation Trends: Robotics, Aging, Clean Tech, Brain, Gaming, Science and More

>4) Reinventing Aging: Prof. Laura L. Carstensen, of
The goal of Stanford University Media X is to fosterthe Stanford Center on Longevity, explained how
collaborations between industry and academia. TheTechnology & Science has been improving Biology for
5th Annual Media X Conference on Research,the last 150 years, and now we need to focus on
Collaboration, Innovation and Productivity, which Ihow to help people remain physically fit and mentally
was fortunate to attend, served its purpose well. Letsharp as we age. We need to redefine "aging".
me share the 10 Key Innovation Trends that everyNowadays, there are many role models in their 70s
business executive and innovator should be payingand 80s that show how age is not an obstacle for
attention to.being active contributors in society.
Copyright (c) 2007 SharpBrains5) Virtual Simulations for medical education. Dr. LeRoy
The goal of Stanford University Media X is to fosterHeinrichs showed how simulations work very well to
collaborations between industry and academia. Thetrain surgeons and other medical professionals learn
5th Annual Media X Conference on Research,how to perform their jobs. Virtual simulations (in a
Collaboration, Innovation and Productivity, which Isimulated virtual environment) can work as well as
was fortunate to attend, served its purpose well. Letphysical ones (which typically are more expensive and
me share the 10 Key Trends that every businessless scalable).
executive and innovator should be paying attention6) Green Building and Green Cars. Prof. Gilbert M.
to:Masters recommended reading the article "It's the
1) Personal Robotics is poised to explode soonArchitecture, Stupid!" to understand how buildings
(predicted by Paul Saffo). It usually takes 20 yearsaccount for 35-45% carbon emissions in the US,
science basic science exists until applications reachmore than transportation and industry.
inflection point and take the world by storm-and we7) Friends not Email: Prof. B.J. Fogg claimed that email
are about to see that happen. Some indicators:"cheapens our lives" and insisted that maintaining
DARPA sponsored first robotics attempts in mid-80s,close relationships is critical for happiness. Email is a
and now we have applications such as the Roombavery bad tool to manage close relationships. Wise
vacuum-cleaner, and a fully automated racing car.words.
Prof. Kenneth Salisbury showed how there are8) Science Videos: Prof. Roy D. Pea made the case
robots today with great motor skills-i.e., they canthat there is an increasing need for DIY videos in
unload a dishwasher!protocol sharing among scientists, so they can better
2) Brain Computer Interfaces. Prof. Krishna Shenoyreplicate experiments. His Lab is creating new ways
explained how, for many people who can't move/to enable people create conversations about video to
communicate well, new systems enable theenhance diversity of views and connections.
translation of brain signals into control signals, by9) Games for Learning: Prof. Dan Schwartz
implanting electrodes in brain that measure signals andshowcased new methods for learning outside the
help predict behaviors based on response patternclassroom. Games can help merge formal & informal
recognition There are already applications today thatlearning. Teachable agents are computer programs
help people move cursors based on their thoughts.created by students to make their knowledge
3) Clean Technology: Scott Z. Burns, co-producer ofexplicit, and can be used as part of games to
An Inconvenient Truth, explained how Al Gore wasmotivate students do their homework.
reluctant to make the movie, but he was convinced10) 3D Scientific Imaging. Prof. Paul Brown displayed
to participate given the increasing threat of globalsome of the new imaging and software packages
warming. Al Gore saw an analogy between the moviethat allow doctors navigate virtually into the bodies
and a bio-feedback device that her daughter used toof patients, in a non-invasive way The images are
treat her migraines. In biofeedback, one learns howsimply spectacular. They used these technologies to
to manage vital body variables in order to reach asee in detail the interiors of an Egyptian mummy.
goal (preventing migraines, managing stress...).Which of these trends is more relevant to your
Similarly, Gore wanted each viewer to find his or herbusiness? What can you do to start preparing for the
own "levers" or "muscles" and ways to act -not justfuture, today?
be told what to do.