As 2015 comes to a close, it is customary to look back at all of the accomplishments and events of the year. Living in this age of technology, we are constantly progressing and improving everything around us, and technology has become far more advanced than people imagined it ever would.

This year we were introduced to inventions like the driverless car, the Apple watch, and the ever fun Swegway. But let’s take a moment to look forward to all the exciting things 2016 may bring. This may just be the year we finally break the laws of physics and teleport or invent the flying car. Only time will tell what exciting gadgets we are granted with this year, but until then we can only dream.

The Hyperloop

Railroads are no longer a thing of the past because Elon Musk, of Tesla and SpaceX fame is working with private engineers across the country, are working to create a new high speed, solar powered transportation system. According to Musk, this would be the world’s fifth major form of transportation after planes, trains, cars, and boats. The high-tech train will be inside of a sealed vacuum, moving almost 4 times as fast as a regular train. This innovative method of transportation will move up to 760 mph (compared to a jet that goes at a speed of 540 mph). It is the faster and cheaper alternative to flying. The first installment and attempt of this idea will be set up in early 2016, working to link LA to San Francisco. In the future this technology could make it possible to live in California and commute to your job in New York in an hour.

 Space Tourism

For as long as humans have been alive they have dreamed of exploring space. Over the last 50 years private enterprises has made many ventures into space, but it has yet to be opened to the general public. Companies like Blue Origin, Energia and SpaceX are working to create cost effective and reusable rockets that could eventually colonize Mars, and make space tourism a reality. In the spring of 2016, SpaceX plans to launch the Falcon Heavy rocket which is said to be incredibly powerful with the highest capacity of any rocket currently in orbit and could be instrumental in delivering large loads of equipment to Mars. Also coming this year is the world’s first space hotel, a space pod that is fully equipped with expensive Earth cooked meals, and four cabins that will house seven people and an experienced space crew. Spending one week in this lavish vacation getaway will set you back one million dollars, but if you are fascinated with space, it will definitely be worth the cost. The ultimate goal of these companies is to privatize the space industry, giving the public a chance to experience space while also working to expand the reach of mankind.

Three-Person Babies

Recently there has been a lot of talk about genetically creating the perfect child, and the UK just became the first country to pass a law allowing the creation of babies from three people, essentially taking the idea of “designer babies” to a new level. The procedure of mitochondrial DNA transfer would involve combining the eggs of the mother and a second anonymous women along with the donor with the father’s sperm to eliminate the chances of genetic diseases. In manipulating the egg of the mother with another woman’s egg, it would be possible to avoid the mitochondrial diseases that are only passed down from the mother. This innovative law is extremely controversial and many people argue that altering the DNA of a child could lead to cancer and premature aging. Whether you believe that this is right or wrong, the world could have its first three-person baby by early 2016.

Holus

The TV has long ruled over the world of entertainment, but that could soon be replaced by the Holus, a 3D interactive holographic experience that may one day become our main source of entertainment and communication. This futuristic prism created by H+ Technology, will work as a way to connect through interactive games, presentations, and visuals. You will also be able to plug in any device and interact with the display on the 3D screens. The goal of this product is to use technology to connect people instead of isolating them like much modern technology does now.

Oculus Rift

Up until this point, planes and other forms of transportation have worked to let us experience new parts of the world, but all that is about to get a lot easier. The Oculus Rift is a virtual reality, head-mounted display that will be released early 2016. It’s main purpose will be to experience games in a new way but it can also be used to watch movies and videos in a “virtual cinema environment.” These progressive goggles have the power to take you to new lands and see things from every angle, almost negating the need to travel. Every once in awhile it becomes necessary to escape reality and the Rift is making that possible.
2016 will be a year full of new ideas, and inventions that influence our everyday lives, and maybe when we look back on this year we will remember all the exciting things that quickly became commonplace. The future is an exciting time but we will just have to wait and see what happens.