Future Technology | BBC Science Focus Magazine (2024)

The technology, new ideas, inventions and gadgets that will revolutionise the world as we know it and lead us head first into the future.

The next generation of drugs could be made in space. Here’s whyA California start-up recently recovered a batch of drugs manufactured by an automated satellite, but what are the benefits and challenges of making pharmaceuticals in orbit?more

Anti-ageing neuro-tech: The bold new devices built to keep your brain youngSending shocks to the nervous system has a variety of health benefits. But is it a safe thing to do?more

Ebikes could soon have double the power. Can we expect more fires?With fires increasing at an alarming pace, will bumping up the power of batteries make them more dangerous?more

Your next cup of coffee could be made from these plant cells. Here's whyMaking coffee is resource intensive and an ecological nightmare. So what’s the future? It could be coffee cells.more

The science of Dune | Could we terraform Mars?Dune is set on a desert planet in a distant star system, where science has enabled humans to live and breathe. Could we use the same technology to terraform Mars?more

The science of Dune: Could we really make smart drugs?'The spice' is an extremely precious commodity that greatly enhances the user's mental abilities. Could we recreate this in real life?more

Here's how we could make a real-life Dune force fieldIn the sci-fi epic Dune, characters carry a portable force field that protects them from speeding projectiles. Could we make one of these for real?more

What is Sora AI? Everything to know about OpenAI’s text-to-video toolArtificial intelligence can now create videos from your prompts, but how does it work?more

44 cool gadgets: Our pick of the best new tech for 2024Welcome to our regularly updated curation of the coolest, smartest kit money can buy.more

Ageless brain: How this new supercomputer could help keep your mind youngThe DeepSouth project aims to mimic the human brain.more

CERN’s new 91km long ‘atom-smasher’ could soon reveal how our Universe will endPlans for a new underground ‘atom-smasher’ sound ambitious, but they could be the key to unlocking the true nature of the Higgs Boson and, ultimately, our Universe.more

Digital healthcare is putting the most vulnerable at risk. Here’s how we can fix thatThe elderly, ethnic minorities and those on low incomes are finding essential care increasingly difficult to access.more

What is ImageFX? All you need to know about Google's new AI image generatorLike OpenAI’s Dall-E, ImageFX can create full images from just your prompts but is it any good and can you use it now?more

Your inbox is a mess. These 5 research-backed steps will finally tame itKeeping up with emails can be a nightmare. But there are some easy ways to do some digital housekeeping and keep the noise to a minimum.more

How bacteria and self-healing roads could soon fix the UK’s 750,000 potholesClimate change is playing havoc with the UK’s road network. Now is the time to invest in innovative solutions.more

How scientists are tackling the biggest problems of returning humans to the MoonHere’s how scientists test the next generation of lunar equipment without leaving Earth.more

10 of the world's worst-ever inventionsFrom the electric tricycle to parachute coat, these are some of the most poorly received devices developed around the globe.more

AI snore pillows and very cute robots: The 7 best trends from 2024’s biggest tech showCES 2024 has come to an end, and these are the biggest trends from the event that are shaping the future.more

Google Gemini: Everything you need to know about new ChatGPT’s AI rivalGoogle Gemini is here to take on OpenAI's GPT-4, but how does it work and is this the future of AI?more

This headset will let you control your dreams, Inception-style. Here’s what to know before you lose track of realityA US start-up is working on a headband designed to induce lucid dreams. But will it work and is it safe to use?more

The Best AI chatbots in January 2024From ChatGPT, to Google Bard andHuggingChat, a selection of AI chatbots are currently available for use.more

9 ingenious rescue robots set to become the lifesavers of tomorrowThese cutting-edge droids could mean the difference between life and death after a natural disaster.more

17 absurdly brilliant (and bizarre) gadgets that defined 20232023 has been a great year for innovation. And while there have been thousands of amazing new gadgets, these were our favourites.more

This high-tech robot farm could change our food supply foreverJoin the BBC’s Planet Earth III crew and go behind the scenes in the city farm that’s transforming fields into towers and running almost everything with robots.more