MIT Technology Review has released the top 10 breakthrough technologies in 2017 with the potential to shake up various aspects of people's lives including the economy, politics, medicine and culture.

 

Some technologies are available now and are having a powerful impact. Some will be available in the next few years and their potential influence cannot be ignored. Let's take a look at the top 10 breakthrough technologies in 2017.

 

Pay with your face

China has taken a leading role in face-detection technology that can authorize payments, provide access to facilities, and track down criminals in China.

Availability: Now

 

Reversing paralysis

Scientists are trying to use brain implants to restore the freedom of movement that spinal cord injuries take away.

Availability: 10-15 years

 

Self-driving trucks

Tractor-trailers without a driver at the wheel will soon barrel onto highways near you and this will have a great impact to truck drivers. What new occupation will emerge because of this technology?

Availability: 5 to 10 years

 

Practical Quantum Computers

Big companies such as Google and Intel and some research groups have taken a leading role in practical quantum computer research and application. The advances they have made indicate that computers will have more previously unimaginable functions.

Availability: 4-5 years

 

The 360-degree selfie

The 360-degree selfie technology has revolutionized perception. The spherical images made by inexpensive cameras are opening up a new era in photography and changing the way people share stories.

This technology has been used by the media to report important events and it is expected to have a deep influence on other industries such as tourism, real-estate, film production and wedding celebrations in China.

Availability: Now

 

Hot solar cells

A team of MIT scientists have built a solar energy device that uses inventive engineering and advanced materials to capture far more of the sun's energy. It could create cheap and continuous power by converting heat to focused beams of light.

Availability: 10-15 years

 

Gene therapy 2.0

Scientists will see if the same approach to solve fundamental problems that were holding back cures for rare hereditary disorders can take on cancer, heart disease, and other common illnesses.

Availability: Now

 

The Cell atlas

The "cell atlas" - a map of human cells - is a technological marvel that is expected to comprehensively reveal, for the first time, what human bodies are actually made of and provide scientists a sophisticated new model of biology that could speed up the search for drugs.

Availability: 5 years