It’s hard to imagine that mobile phones didn’t exist the way they do now with a supercomputer in our pocket. With significant leaps in technology advancement happening, often at an unprecedented pace, this week’s blog looks at the technology we have now, that will help us on Mars.
The way we work has changed dramatically in recent years. Most of us no longer work for one company our whole lives, instead preferring to move around for new experiences, a better salary and better work conditions. There is also the “gig economy”, where people work for a specific project or event. This new way of working is now forcing companies to change, realising they must step up to attract top talent and provide the technology that is so critical in the decision-making process.
What technologies have we already got that will be of use when we become an interplanetary species.
1. Artificial Intelligence.
AI and robotics will change how we work, with the possibility that the typical 9-5 job will disappear allowing humans to have more time for creativity. If there is a system update in the technology on Mars onboarding could be performed by an A.I., often a laborious task. An onboarding AI solution means every future Martian can get all the current and accurate information they need and follow a consistent onboarding process without having to sit through meetings or read multiple documents.
Back on Earth, onboarding can take place before you even start your employment. An AI like this will help companies make the most of existing resources and will result in Human Resources and management teams being able to focus on other more strategic tasks.
2. Game Console / VR.
Mars for the first settlers will be pretty boring – testing samples and building living structures. Keeping themselves entertained will help reduce the chance of becoming space crazy, and while many of us associate gaming to addiction, it can have a positive impact on your health. Studies show that video games are therapeutic to children who have ADHD as they help them focus their energy on the task at hand. In addition, gaming helps improve their meditative state by focusing on past achievements. Also there are documented benefits of gaming, including concentration, neurological feedback, as well as attention span.
Many video games require strategic planning, pushing the player to analyse all possible moves improving on your cognitive skills. Added in with Virtual Reality this will give our Martians some respite from the scenery of the red planet.
3. Autonomous Self Driving Cars
With Tesla leading the charge in driver-less cars, this technology will not only allow for further exploration of the unmanned planet but being able to calculate and navigate risk will mean that our Martians can focus on other tasks (because let’s face it, they have a lot of work to do to set up a base).
Driverless trucks have already been implemented back here on Earth to move iron ore resources on mine sites in the Pilbara since 2015. The tech takes away dangerous jobs from humans and reduced risks of fatigue with drivers.
On Mars, creating an infrastructure for driver-less cars will be significantly easier than on Earth. We won’t have to contend with existing and often complex road systems as you would be building the infrastructure from scratch to suit the driver-less systems.
Daring to go the Distance
One of the main issues of long distance space travel is transporting enough oxygen for astronauts and fuel for power. With sights set on colonising Mars and other Earth-like plants, scientists may have found a way to make long distance space travel sustainable and achievable. With our current technology, scientists have discovered that it is possible to create oxygen and hydrogen fuel from water. This discovery may just be the catalyst for our journey to Mars.
What pieces of technology would you use on Mars?
