Six Biggest Tech Trends of 2018
Science never stands still. 2018 has seen tech’s progress march through the year with smart confidence. Here’s what’s made the year’s most notable tech trends.
- CAD connectivity
Can you imagine the digital age without social media? That instant connectivity and stream of interaction has shaped our social, cultural and even political landscape. That culture of sharing and exchange has bled heavily into the technology world. The vast data resource at the heart of the IoT has seen CAD designers and engineers pull on readily available up-to-the-minute information. The ethos of pooling efforts and sharing findings to produce design is very 2018. With peer-to-peer support networks, assistance and hive mind thinking, community spirit has been a key trend in design this year.
- Artificial intelligence
Joined-up thinking from our smart devices is just the tip of the AI iceberg currently lurking beneath the cultural waterline. It may have seemed little more than a fun novelty asking Alexa to dim your house lights at the beginning of the year. However, the swift adoption of AI into our homes has seen a huge shift towards the public fully embracing the technology as a standard household appliance. Modern artificial intelligence is about prescriptive analysis, automation, and using data to drive efficiency. Beyond the confines of our living rooms, artificial intelligence has permeated almost all modern technology, such as search engines, finance, and your car.
- Blockchain
The robust digital network that provides Bitcoin’s backbone, Blockchain technology has branched out beyond its more esoteric beginnings. Industries seeking to use peer-to-peer cryptocurrencies in a bid to cut out costly middlemen and traditional banking has been 2018’s runaway success story.
- IoT
Interconnected tech provided the digital framework of 2018. Masses of shared data is revolutionising modern living, from traffic lights to deliveries to your new smart electric meters. The latter’s national UK rollout aims to have every home with one by 2020. Data-driven, responsive tech that operates to demand has increased dramatically over the past twelve months. Technology geared to greater economic and environmental efficiency is burgeoning fast, with even city architecture embracing the smart ethos.
- Edge computing
There’s been a distinct increase in tech employing edge computing. Broadly speaking, it’s localised data that’s processed on the edge of a network, rather than being sent to a cloud or data centre. The benefit? It saves time, smashes latency issues and allows swift running where connectivity isn’t at its strongest. It also allows for machine learning. Self-parking cars? That’s edge computing in action. Whilst concerns over cloud storage costs, crashes and security continue, edge computing is quietly complementing the storage method with minimum fuss and maximum effort.
- 3D CAD
Design has embraced the third dimension for some time now. SOLIDWORKS’ 3D CAD software allows users to fully conceptualise, design and stress-test with pin-sharp accuracy and lifelike results. 2018, however, has seen a seismic shift in public attention towards environmental concerns. Single-use and disposable produce are no longer acceptable design standards. Taking heed of the greater demand for accuracy, efficiency and functionality, 3D prototype builds have rocketed. Get with the now and find out about SOLIDWORKS today.
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