Communicators Inspired Mobiles
Star Trek's communicators foresaw modern mobile phones. In the 1960s, Captain Kirk's flip device predicted the clamshell design, which became a reality with Motorola's StarTAC in 1996, emulating Trek's visionary gadgetry.
Automatic Doors: Trek's Legacy
Star Trek featured automatic doors that whooshed open as characters approached. This technology, while not new then, wasn't common. Star Trek popularized it, leading to the ubiquitous motion-sensing doors in stores and buildings today.
Replicators to 3D Printers
The Replicator, a device that synthesized meals on demand in Star Trek, is akin to today's 3D printers. These printers can now create objects from digital files, and even food printing is emerging.
Tricorders: Medical Diagnosis
Tricorders in Star Trek were used for data sensing, analysis, and recording. This inspired the development of portable medical diagnostics, like the Scanadu Scout, which monitors vital signs and sends them wirelessly to a smartphone.
Tablets Before iPads
Characters on Star Trek used PADDs (Personal Access Display Devices) for reading and recording information, much like modern tablets. Apple's iPad and other tablets mirror these functions and have become essential tech tools.
Voice Interface Systems
Voice-activated computers in Star Trek set the stage for virtual assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. These AI systems understand spoken commands, providing information and controlling smart devices, just as in the show.
Universal Translator Realized
Star Trek's Universal Translator facilitated communication across different languages. Today, real-time translation devices and software, such as Google Translate, break down language barriers, echoing the show's universal understanding.
Which device predicted mobile phones?
Tricorder
Communicator
PADD
Company
