Sci-fi which predicted real advancements, and didn’t (yet)

[Pessimistic]

Back to the futures hover board is a clear one, but seeing Thor today, laser bursts or laser cannon are an absolute staples whether by ‘magic’ or ‘real weapons’

It made me think, they’ve probably been in sci-fi for at least 50 years, and lasers are a thing. But real life go to in weaponry including portable weaponry, not really, and no sign that it will ever be laser battles everywhere.

 

[CD Xbow]

Back to the futures hover board is a clear one, but seeing Thor today, laser bursts or laser cannon are an absolute staples whether by ‘magic’ or ‘real weapons’

It made me think, they’ve probably been in sci-fi for at least 50 years, and lasers are a thing. But real life go to in weaponry including portable weaponry, not really, and no sign that it will ever be laser battles everywhere.

Lasers weapons are about to become common place in the battlefield, give it a decade or so and they will be al over the place. 100kw laser pod for USAF aircraft is talked about here. First Laser Weapon For A Fighter Delivered To The Air Force This strength laser is suitable for drones (slow moving, weak, large numbers)

Added - this article talks about why it's time they will appear on the battlefield. How The Once Elusive Dream Of Laser Weapons Suddenly Became A Reality Mainly to do with the development of very efficient laser fibre optics.

 

[Seeds]

The jetsons got everything wrong.

no flying cars
no food pills or shrinked food.
no one wants to live in the sky unless they have to.
robot butlers and maids. nope.

 

[CD Xbow]

The jetsons got everything wrong.

no flying cars
no food pills or shrinked food.
no one wants to live in the sky unless they have to.
robot butlers and maids. nope.

Not quite a flying car, but a commercial ground effect craft, the AirWing 8 has entered production. The extinct Soviet Erakoplans are the best known example of these craft from the past. It uses a large reverse delta wing which enables it to 'fly' smoothly up to 106 knots. The craft uses a standard V8 motor and this may limit it's speed. The Erakoplans could reach over 500kph, but they were jet powered. There is a nice vid in the link below.

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Airfish-8 wing-in-ground effect aircraft slated for service in 2025

Hovering uncannily close to the waves, the Airfish-8 carves its way over water three times quicker than a boat, and 2.3 times more efficiently than an aircraft. Singapore's ST Engineering has announced its first orders, set to enter service in 2025.

newatlas.com

There are a few of these ground effect craft on the way. The electric Regent Seaglider, uses a hydrofoiling system to rise out of the water for a low-drag takeoff into ground effect. DARPA is working on a giant "Liberty Lifter" X-Plane that'll carry to 100 tons of cargo.

 

[Ken Tea]

Pretty sure my new cat is a wookie toddler.