Breakthroughs will mark the era of cognitive systems when
computers will, in their own way, see, smell, touch, taste and hear
(December 17, 2012) Today
IBM unveiled the seventh annual
"IBM 5 in 5" (#ibm5in5) – a list of innovations that have the
potential to change the way people work, live and interact during the next five
years.
* Touch: You will be
able to touch through your phone
* Sight: A pixel will
be worth a thousands words
* Hearing: Computers
will hear what matters
* Taste: Digital
taste buds will help you to eat smarter
* Smell: Computers
will have a sense of smell
The IBM 5 in 5 is based on market and societal trends as
well as emerging technologies from IBM’s R&D labs around the world that can
make these transformations possible.
This year’s IBM 5 in 5 explores innovations that will be the
underpinnings of the next era of computing, which IBM describes as the era of
cognitive systems. This new generation of machines will learn, adapt, sense and
begin to experience the world as it really is. This year’s predictions focus on
one element of the new era, the ability of computers to mimic the human
senses—in their own way, to see, smell, touch, taste and hear.
These sensing capabilities will help us become more aware,
productive and help us think – but not think for us. Cognitive computing
systems will help us see through complexity, keep up with the speed of
information, make more informed decisions, improve our health and standard of
living, enrich our lives and break down all kinds of barriers—including
geographic distance, language, cost and inaccessibility.