Tech Twenty-Nineteen

Tech+Twenty-Nineteen

From synthetic embryos to 3D metal printing, 2018 was a pretty incredible year for technological advancements. However, 2019 will be even bigger.

Here are a few new gadgets and tech developments planned for 2019.

Tesla Model 3

While the Tesla Model 3 is technically currently available, many have been placed on the wait list due to problems with meeting the demands on the manufacturing end. However, 2019 should be the year when the wait is over.

The car boasts a range of 310 miles along with Autopilot which features a 360-degree sensor area, which allows the car to act autonomously to prevent collisions or adjust speeds on long drives. The car starts at $35,000 and is set to be one of the leaders in the future of electric vehicles and autonomous driving.

Lab-Based Meat

It’s quite clear that animal agriculture is a significant factor in global climate change. According to the Food and Agricultural Organization, the raising of animals for meat, dairy and eggs contribute to 14.5 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions, greater than all transportation emissions combined. It also a leading cause in deforestation and water pollution.

Needless to say, the practice of animal agriculture is a very resource-intensive and environmentally damaging practice, let alone unethical. However, lab-grown meat might be the solution for the stubborn carnivore.

By utilizing animal cells, scientists have been able to grow animal tissue without the damaging process of actually raising animals. This would solve the issues generated by the animal agriculture industry. One company, Just, plans to release its lab-grown chicken by the end of 2018 and early 2019 in restaurants outside the U.S. This will be another step in the path toward a much more environmentally responsible humanity.

However, unlike the other things on this list, you don’t have to wait to experience meat substitutes. There are currently many options for meat substitutes that are plant-based. Companies such as Impossible and Beyond Meat are leading in this market, and their products are practically indistinguishable from real meat. So don’t just wait for lab-meat — make a change for the better now.

Commercial Spaceflight

Currently, space travel is handled through government agencies. However, companies such as SpaceX and Boeing will do their uncrewed launches in both January and March, respectively.

If these uncrewed flights go as planned and meet the requirements set by NASA, they will begin with crewed flights with Boeing planning them for June. The success of these flights will be pivotal for the future of space flight.

By opening up space travel to non-government organizations (NGOs), the push toward the final frontier will no longer be subjected to the whims of states. By allowing for more operation of NGOs in space, there will be a greater rate of discoveries and will be the next step in the mission to Mars.