MEDICUS MARCH 2016

T E C H N O L O G Y

Some of the biggest advancements in the world of technology are just around the corner, says Chuck Thompson

Misfit Ray is ‘smart jewellery’ for the fashion conscious.

I t’s said that reality is sometimes stranger than fiction, and in the world of technology, where advancements are made at an exponential rate, science fiction is quickly becoming science. The annual Consumers Electronic Show (CES) held at Las Vegas in January this year highlighted some of the staggering leaps and bounds made in the tech field, with health in particular, seeing

some significant investment.

From wearable technology, 3D printing and augmented reality breakthroughs, advancements in diagnosing, treating and preventing health issues are just around the corner. Here are some of the biggest tech advancements to watch out for in 2016.

This year marks the arrival of a number of virtual reality (VR) devices to the market, notably the Oculus Rift and Sony’s PlayStationVR. While the entertainment market continues to be the major focus for most VR tech manufacturers, the potential for this in the healthcare sector is limitless. From treatment of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, cognition training for patients with autism and even surgical training for doctors in training, expect VR to make a big splash in the medical field. Strides in the Augmented Reality (AR) field are just as exciting. Microsoft’s entry into the AR fray has also made people step up and take note with the arrival of the Hololens just around the corner. This headset allows the user to place holograms in a physical environment, meaning the way we interact with computer applications will change forever. Instead of swiping on a screen, access your digital content the way you would with things in the real world – through hand gestures, voice commands and simply looking around to navigate.

The Oculus Rift.

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