Wearable computers, 3D displays picked as key technologies: survey

SEOUL, Feb. 17 (Yonhap) -- Wearable computers, three-dimensional displays and
"multipurpose" vaccines are expected to change everyday activities in the next 10
years, a survey by a state-run think tank said Wednesday.
The survey, conducted by the Korea Institute of S&T Evaluation and Planning
(KISTEP), involved 10 key future technologies that could bring about a revolution
in everyday lives.
It also predicted products such as medical robots, gene therapy, home healthcare
systems and portable solar-cell batteries will reach the market by 2020.
According to the survey, medium-sized system integrated modular advanced
reactors, cordless electricity system, and so-called eco-energy zero architecture
are expected to be in widespread use in the coming years.
"The technologies were selected by asking 1,000 experts who predicted 380
products and technologies to have the greatest impact down the road," said said
Son Seok-ho, an associate researcher at KISTEP.
He said the technologies picked by the experts were cross-referenced and trimmed
by people and businesses that would actually use such products so the top 10 list
represented products that could be made by the target year and would be bought by
consumers.
The researcher said that South Korea's technology levels were on par with
advanced countries in such areas as information technology and nuclear areas, but
lagged behind in biotech fields.
"The survey is similar to MIT's annual Emerging Technology review and IBM's 'Next
5 in 5' that are used as reference in the global technology industry," Son said.
He said that the KISTEP survey could be used by scientists and businesses to
gauge future trends and to make necessary investments to meet demand.
yonngong@yna.co.kr
(END)