Visitors to the 2023 Goodwood Festival of Speed, one of the world’s greatest celebrations of motorsport, tech and car culture, once again had the chance to take a peek into the world of tomorrow, thanks to the immersive Future Lab exhibit.
With a theme of “Technology for a Better World”, the exhibition focused on feats of science and engineering bridging the gap between today’s reality and tomorrow’s possibilities.
Having just returned myself, I thought it would be interesting to share some of the highlights from the 23 exhibitors. So, here’s my choice of the most innovative, thought-provoking and potentially world-changing ideas on display.
Beyond Earth
British astronaut Tim Peake helped to curate the Beyond Earth, For Earth exhibits. These included demonstrations of space technologies that have impacted science and engineering on Earth. Visitors had the chance to see and learn about breakthrough technologies in space transport, scientific research and the latest developments in the commercialization of space technology such as satellites and tourism. A team from the University of Sussex was also in attendance, presenting amazing photography captured by the James Webb Space Telescope, the world’s most powerful space telescope, and explaining work being carried out in cooperation with NASA and the ESA. And there was the chance to see the latest generation lunar lander up-close, as the ESA showed off its reusable delivery craft, designed to make multiple landings in order to support astronauts living and working on the moon’s surface.
Automotive Technology
Electric vehicles were top of the agenda, with immersive and hands-on experiences centered on Formula E electric racing attracting crowds of visitors. Various new and upcoming EVs were on display at the Electric Avenue exhibit, where visitors had the chance to compare different models and learn about the benefits of EV ownership. There was also a chance to learn about the Indy Autonomous Challenge, a competitive league involving university teams building and racing full-scale autonomous race cars. A competitive run of the famous Goodwood Hillclimb is scheduled for the festival next year. Another interesting innovation I saw was Easyrain’s Anti-Aquaplaning System, which is designed to help drivers safely tackle hazardous wet road conditions by using high-pressure jets to disperse water on the road ahead before it can cause a car to slide.
The Digital World
From outer space to inner space, there was also a chance to explore the new virtual worlds that are being created thanks to the development of metaverse technologies such as digital twins and collaborative online platforms for working and entertainment. Immersive learning technology was on display, including a 3D lunar exploration experience built on video game technology by Epic Games (creators of Fortnite) and the launch of the RM x SaxaVord Starflight Academy, an immersive space learning environment. There was even a chance to “feel” the virtual world by trying out some of the latest developments in haptic technology from Valkyrie Industries.
Green Innovation
A popular attraction at the event was the Powering the Future exhibit, focusing on clean energy and new initiatives around creating power. The UK Atomic Energy Authority showcased breakthroughs in the quest to generate low-carbon energy, including the latest developments in research into nuclear fusion. There was also a chance to learn about developments that could lead to a return to the age of sail – WindWings demonstrated it wind-powered propulsion systems that it says can reduce the CO2 emissions of cargo ships by 19 tons per day. Sticking to a nautical theme, AutoNaut demonstrated its autonomous, ocean-faring vessels. Powered by solar and tidal energy, they are designed to enable monitoring of water conditions and non-intrusive wildlife tracking, among other use cases.
And Quantum Computing
Visitors got the chance to get hands-on with Quantum System One, IBM’s production quantum computer, as well as learn about Quantum System 2, due for launch in the near future. Recent research by IBM suggests that we are now entering the era of “quantum utility,” where this technology can be used to solve real-world problems and carry out everyday tasks. IBM’s exhibition demonstrated how this is starting to happen and the impact we can expect it to have on our lives in the near future.
Read more about these topics in my new book, The Future Internet: How the Metaverse, Web 3.0, and Blockchain Will Transform Business and Society. And don’t forget to subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on Twitter, LinkedIn, and YouTube for more on the future trends in business and technology.
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