The Latest Technology Trends
Huh, another year has gone by. Time flies when you're stuck inside, constantly sanitising your hands and wearing masks that fog up your glasses. I wonder how many collective loaves of banana bread were made? Anyway, the year wasn't a total waste for some sectors. The world became reliant on technology, as many people worked remotely and zoom business calls just became part of the working day. In technology news, 2021 was the best year in history for UK tech, with £26 billion raised by start-ups and scale-ups and an increase from last year of 2.3x.
Technology is a constant evolution, adapting to the changing times. Going into 2022, there are many technology trends that should be monitored closely, as at any given point they could either take off or drop from the face of the Earth. Here are a few of the biggest trends in technology news. But thankfully, no Skynet yet.
Electric Vehicles and Charging
2022 might be the year of the tiger, but it also marks the rise of electric vehicle technological development. Studies have shown that EV sales are predicted to double throughout the year and eventually overtake gas by 2025. In a record-breaking year, 2021 saw more electric vehicles sold than the previous five years, with 18.5% of all new cars registered to have the ability to be plugged in. This is for preparation for the 2030 ban on new fossil-fuelled vehicles and the change to lower the planet's carbon footprint. It is expected for new electric vehicles sales of 2022 to overtake petrol and diesel by the end of the year. As modern technology goes, there has never been a better time to buy an electric vehicle.
However, though there is a rising percentage of electric vehicles on the road, the lack of available charging points is a worrying factor for drivers and doesn't seem to meet the popular demand. Advanced technology has improved wait times, with most locations offering fast recharging in minutes, yet if there aren't enough points, queues will eventually build. It may put some drivers off converting to a carbon-free solution. It is important to monitor the progression of the electric vehicle craze. For more information on destination charging, check out Elite EV Charge.
Virtual Technology and the Metaverse
Virtual technology has expanded into various industries, including fashion, medical and music. Most famously, ABBA announced their 2022 reunion tour would be an "immersive digital concert experience", featuring their perfectly named "ABBA-tars". With this in mind, virtual technology is a trend to keep a close eye on throughout the year.
Remember in Clueless when Cher plans her outfits using her computer? Well, it's not far off from where modern technology is heading. With the world forced to stay indoors, online shopping became a part of everyone's daily routine; buying clothes they could only wear in their living rooms. Augmented reality has allowed shopping vendors to create realistic 3D models of clothing items and products. There are constant technological advances, so in 2022 these features have the potential to develop even further; for example, using virtual reality headsets.
The metaverse has continued to expand and increase a buzz over the virtual technology invention. In 2021, the hype has raised over £154 million investment for UK VR companies to further this surge and add to the growth of the industry. Compared to £90 million, made in 2020, only proves this investment will continue to grow into 2022.
Automation
Automation has become a piece of modern technology that has probably entered everybody's life in some way. Whether it be self-driving vehicles, smart home devices such as Alexa, our society is moving slowly towards a Black Mirror-esque world. With the invention of 3D printing and robotic parts, it has been forecasted that by 2025, more than 50 billion devices will be connected to the Industrial Internet of Things.
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Daisy works as a content creation specialist at broadbandmoneysaver.com
