LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) -- We've seen technology drastically change when it comes to phones, transportation, and computers. What does the future hold for the next generation?
Maybe you'll wear clothing that can charge your cell phone, or record data about how much you exercise. Smart cars, smart phones, and even smart clothing are becoming more popular. Scientists are looking at the technology we have today--- to see what the next hot commodity will be in the future.
The technology of a store alarm has provided the path for new technology like sensors that go inside clothing. A Finnish company, Myontec, is marketing underwear that tracks how hard you're working your gluts. This similar innovation can be used for transportation.
"There will be sensors in the highways so basically you can instantaneous readings on whether bridges are frozen or not," says Vernard Henley, Director of Recruitment and Outreach for College of Engineering and Technology.
Director Vernard Henley and Professor Remzi Seker work in the College of Engineering and Information Technology at UALR. Technology is being developed to create clothing that can charge your cell phone.
"We have smaller sensors and the battery requirements are less stringent and smaller," says Seker.
If you can use a cell phone to turn your house alarm on or off, Henley says how about an app for your car if it's stolen?
"That could disengage the operation of the car," say Henley.
Cars already have sensors that tell you if your seat belt is not on, if your oil is too low or if the tires need to be inflated. Imagine if your car could repair itself.
"The NANO technology sector, that is where that concept takes off at," says Henley.
If cars can park themselves....
"Eventually it will come to a point where they will be able to drive themselves," says Henley.
Auto companies are already testing that technology.
The skies the limit. Scientists at UALR invented a genetically-modified, drought-resistant tomato for astronauts.
But like any new invention Henley says, "parts are being perfected, and then from there, it is just money and time."
Depending on the technology, infrastructure might pose a problem. The electric car has been around for years, but there are few charging stations. UALR has one, but people there say it's seldom used.
Professor Seker says he's considered starting a company that helps provide social media profiles to lawyers. He says it's legal to buy Twitter tweets of individuals. Tweets from clients or jurors can then be used to help attorneys with their cases.