Tech from 2024 movies we wish we get our hands on soon

From Star Trek‘s communicators that inspired modern smartphones to Back to the Future‘s video calls that foreshadowed today’s Zoom meetings, science fiction has been predicting and inspiring technological future of the world. As creators and dreamers continue to push the boundaries of imagination on screen, they spark real-world innovation that transforms fantasy into reality.

The year 2024 has treated us to a spectacular array of sci-fi films that showcase ground breaking technologies. Many of the gadgets and innovations we see on-screen are built on scientific principles that researchers and engineers are actively developing today.

Let’s explore the most promising and practical technologies from recent sci-fi blockbusters. From sustainable survival gear to advanced transportation systems, these aren’t just movie magic – they’re blueprints for innovations that could solve multiple challenges we face today.

Dune: Part Two

In the second part of the Dune trilogy, there are some gadgets that seem like it will take a long time to become reality. Here are a few gadgets that could change the way to filter water, and build personal shields.

Stillsuits: Think of these as the ultimate survival suits. A portable and self-contained water recycling plant you can wear. They work by catching every bit of moisture your body produces – your sweat, breath vapor, and even urine – and running it through tiny filters and cooling tubes throughout the suit. The cleaned water collects in small pockets near your chest where you can drink it.

It’s similar to how modern-day water filtration systems work, just miniaturised and incredibly efficient. It can be added to space suits and can be used to create some experimental military gear.

Holographic Planning Systems: Imagine if Google Maps could float in mid-air and you could move troops around like pieces on a chess board, but in three dimensions. Through augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) systems, this can be achieved but the versions that exist today require headsets.

Wouldn’t it be cool if Google maps could float and navigate the road without relying on our smartphones? Well, let’s hope we’re not too far away from it.

ALSO READ: We watched Dune 2 in IMAX, and here’s why you should too

Personal Shield Technology: This is one of the more exotic technologies in Dune. The shield creates an energy field around a person that selectively blocks fast-moving objects (like bullets or quick knife strikes) but allows slow-moving things (like walking or breathing) to pass through.

It’s based on the idea that faster-moving objects have more kinetic energy. The closest real-world parallel might be bulletproof materials that become harder when struck at high speeds, though these are still physical barriers rather than energy shields.

Dune: Part Two can be streamed on JioCinema, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya

Aryan, a robotics engineer, visits his aunt in the US where he meets her assistant, Sifra, without knowing she’s a robot. While the flick makes for a fun couple of hours, the premise does present the idea of humanoid robots, but with emotions – something we’ve tried to achieve for a while now.

Advanced Humanoid Robots with Sophisticated Emotional AI: Imagine a robot that doesn’t just understand what you’re saying, but also know how you’re feeling when you say it. These robots combine physical human-like appearances with advanced AI that can recognise, process, and respond to human emotions.

They can use a combination of facial expression analysis, voice pattern recognition, and contextual understanding – much like how humans pick up on emotional cues. While current robots like Sophia can simulate basic emotional responses, we’re still far from achieving the natural emotional intelligence shown in the film.

Seamless Human-Robot Interaction Systems: This technology is about making robot-human communication feel as natural as talking to another person. The systems in the film likely use a combination of casual conversation, advanced gesture recognition, contextual awareness and real-time learning to adapt its behaviour.

Today, we have voice assistants like Siri and Alexa, but they’re still quite rigid in their interactions. The seamless, intuitive interaction shown in the film remains a significant challenge in robotics. Having said that, the biggest challenges lie in developing truly understanding AI, creating reliable emotional recognition systems, and ensuring safe, ethical implementation of these technologies in society.

Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya is currently streaming on Prime Video.

Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga

In the Mad Max universe, vehicles are heavily modified for both survival and combat in a world where resources are scarce, and the landscape is unforgiving.

Vehicles with ultra-functionality: Cars, trucks, and motorcycles are altered to enhance durability, speed, and combat readiness. Armour plating, spikes, and weapons (like flamethrowers or harpoons) are added to vehicles to protect against raiders and to assert dominance in the wasteland. Vehicles often become extensions of their drivers’ personalities, showcasing a kind of ‘cyberpunk’ aesthetic with mechanical enhancements for violent, utilitarian purposes.

Next-gen fuel: Fuel is a rare and precious commodity in the wasteland, which results in vehicles being modified to run on alternative energy sources. In the Mad Max world, any vehicle—whether it’s a massive war rig or a small motorcycle—might be fitted with more fuel-efficient or resourceful ways to convert scarce energy.

Advanced wasteland survival tech: Given the collapse of society and the breakdown of infrastructure, the characters in Furiosa rely on advanced survival techniques to stay alive.

Water and food purification systems: In such a hostile environment, maintaining basic survival necessities like water and food is crucial. Characters may use scavenged or makeshift filtration devices, as well as food preservation technologies, to sustain themselves. These systems might be scavenged or even repurposed from older, functioning tech, like distillation devices to extract clean water from desert air or saltwater.

Resource conservation systems: In a post-apocalyptic wasteland, resource conservation systems are vital to survival. The scarcity of resources—whether food, water, fuel, or materials—requires the use of systems designed to maximize the efficient use of everything available.

Energy conservation: With fuel and power in short supply, characters would repurpose old technology and even natural resources to generate energy. Wind turbines, solar panels, and even hand-cranked generators could be used to keep vital systems running.

Waste reduction: Waste management is another survival concern in such a world. Whether it’s food scraps, human waste, or broken equipment, systems to manage, reduce, or even recycle waste would become vital. Characters might build compact incinerators or repurpose organic waste into fuel.

If you haven’t seen Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga yet, you can watch it on JioCinema.

From the desert-adapting technology of Dune: Part Two to the emotionally intelligent robots of Teri Baaton Mein Aisa Uljha Jiya, and the resourceful innovations of Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, one thing is clear: our silver screen dreams are increasingly bridging the gap with reality. At the rate at which technology is progressing in our world, it certainly doesn’t seem like we are very far from some of these elements!