SOUTH WEST BUSINESS NEWS inform From the small screen to real life


A computer programmer from Bristol believes Star Trek has encouraged inventors ‘to boldly go where no one has gone before’ – having inspired several modern-day technologies. David Graves (pictured), creative director


for GWS Media and Robotics, has revealed the inventions first seen in the sci-fi series – as new show Star Trek: Discovery is set for release this autumn. David, a Cambridge University graduate, said: “As


well as entertaining people over the years, Star Trek has greatly influenced the way technology is designed and made. The show has encouraged inventors and engineers ‘‘to boldly go where no one has gone before’ and improve people’s lives through technology.” David has cited five technologies seen in Star Trek before making it to


the real world.


Robots that can feel A key character and fan favourite in Star Trek: The Generation is ‘Data’ – an android that could feel human emotions. In 2016, Bristol-based company GWS Robotics invested in ‘Pepper’ from Alderbaran – a four-foot tall robot which can talk, laugh, dance and even ‘feel’. David said: “Pepper is the first humanoid robot capable of recognising


human emotions. This means it can adapt the way it reacts to people, which is an amazing developmental leap.” While still primitive when compared to the walking supercomputer of Data, Pepper shows robotics is constantly developing.


Virtual Reality A virtual reality chamber, known as a holodeck, features in the spacecraft to simulate events and places. Advancements in virtual reality have made it popular technology, particularly in gaming.


Transporter Technology Arguably one of the most iconic pieces of technology from the Star Trek franchise, the transporter is a teleport system, which enables the crew to travel to nearby planets. In 2015, the Hasso Plattner Institute in Germany invented a device


that can deconstruct an object in one room and then 3D print it in another. Named ‘Scotty’ after the character of the same name in


Star Trek, the device is designed to be used personally and professionally to send items over long distances. It is an early stepping-stone in transporter technology


and the idea of deconstructing and reconstructing matter.


Voice Command Interfaces The Starship Enterprise responds to questions and commands during the show. This technology has now been embraced by companies such as Google and Amazon. It enables customers to carry out a range of commands – from regulating thermostats or lighting to selecting their favourite music.


Renewable Energy The ‘USS Enterprise’ in Star Trek is powered by an antimatter reactor, which generates enough power for intergalactic travel – while being free and, to an extent, renewable energy. Early Star Trek episodes also


feature technology such as tidal generators and wind turbines, which are used by the energy industry today.


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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2017 insight 7


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