Ideas at Warp Speed: Get Inspired by Star Trek
Star Trek has had a tractor beam on people’s imagination for over fifty years. It generates as many ideas in viewers minds as a tribble has off-spring. Brace yourself for inspiration as we warp into the technological constellations to examine some of the inventions inspired by this classic science fiction TV show.
Beam Me Up, Scotty: The Communicator's Calling
Imagine the world before mobile phones when handheld communicators were just sci-fi dreams. For Martin Cooper, Star Trek communicators inspired him to start a groundbreaking project. According to Forbes magazine, Martin Cooper drew inspiration from the fictional Captain Kirk using his communicator “to call for help for an injured Spock.” So, for your next project, consider how portable communication tools could be modified to redefine the way we connect.
PADDs to iPads: A Computer in Your Hand
The PADDs from Star Trek: The Next Generation with their Okudagram interactive displays were a glimpse into the future of handheld devices. Steve Jobs, channeling his inner Vulcan logic, translated this vision into reality with the iPad. Explore the frontiers of user-friendly interfaces as a UI/UX designer or take sleek design to a new dimension for computing. What's your version of the next-gen digital notepad?
Voice-Activated Assistants: Conversations with Your Computer
"Computer, suggest brilliant project ideas." Star Trek's voice-activated systems paved the way for Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant. Majel Roddenberry, voice of the Star Trek computers and wife of Gene Roddenberry, the creator of Star Trek, almost became the voice of those systems according to her son. As you brainstorm your project, think about how natural interactions and voice commands can elevate user experience.
The Tricorder Muse: Diagnosing Innovation
Medical tricorders from Star Trek sparked a real-world quest for handheld diagnostic devices, such as the Swift Ray 1. Your project could be the Doctor McCoy of healthcare innovation. Combine it with a voice-activated assistant and your creation could deliver diagnoses with a side of humorous one-liners: “Damn it, Jim. I’m a medical tricorder, not a flashlight!”
Conclusion
As we navigate the space between Star Trek's gadgets and real-world inventions, remember that your project can be the next star on the tech horizon. Let Star Trek's legacy of communicators, PADDs, talking computers, and tricorders inspire you to boldly go where no project has gone before.