What Is Technology? Definition,
Let’s board a time machine and get a first-hand view of how technology shaped human history. Ready?
Welcome to the ancient world, where the first-ever technology, stone tools, was invented. Next stop, the medieval ages. Look, many sailing ships are trying to discover new lands.
What are making those loud factory-like noises? Welcome to the Industrial Revolution era with many steam-powered machines. Next stop, the modern age. The technological innovations here are endless. There is nuclear technology, computers, and space rockets.
Wait! Is that a flying car? Are aliens invading the earth? Are those robots fighting humans? Just kidding. You get the picture. Technologies solve problems faced by human beings.
What to know more about modern technologies? Keep reading.
What is Technology in Simple Words?
Technology is the practical application of scientific knowledge to solve real-world problems and improve human welfare. It aims to achieve either a commercial or industrial objective.
Imagine a world with no ubiquitous technology, no internet, vehicles, phones, machines, and electricity. We can agree that it is a nightmare.
Every part of your daily life revolves around using technology. Do you own an online business? The internet and software tools you use are gifts of technology. It is true for our cooking tools, cars, buses, trains, and modern medicine.
Technology improves the human environment and solves problems. For example, early humans used stones to create fire, hunt, and forge weapons in the Stone Age. This technological development helped the early people survive.
Many other technological advances have propelled societal changes. The Internet and telephone made it possible to communicate with people from any location.
Today, many emerging technologies have a positive impact on our world. Take the artificial intelligence chatbot Chat GPT as an example.
The AI tool answers any question you ask in a conversational tone. It can write business letters, code, songs, poems, short stories, resumes, and cover letters
Some Popular Types of Technology
Technology is a broad concept you can split into different types based on the methods of application, problems they solve, and purposes they serve.
Technology is a broad concept you can split into different types based on the methods of application, problems they solve, and purposes they serve.
1. Medical Technology
Medical technology is the application of scientific knowledge to solving problems in the human body. Doctors and other medical experts use it to discover symptoms to prevent, delay and treat diseases.
When you hear medical technology, what’s the first thing that pops into your mind? Most people think about syringes, catheters, ventilators, hip prostheses, pacemakers, ultrasound, and CT scanners. They are all correct.
Examples of Medical Technology
MRI Scanners: A diagnostic radiologist uses this medical device to scan the human body to check for cancerous tissues, organ malfunctions, and torn ligaments.
Remote Patient Monitoring: Observing the patient’s well-being is a huge concern for physicians. With remote patient monitoring devices, medical personnel can examine how patients respond to treatment from outside the hospital.
2. Mechanical Technology
Mechanical technology is using engineering knowledge to create machines that solve human problems. It aims to improve the manufacturing and engineering environment through different innovations.
Throughout human history, the contributions of mechanical technology impacted entire societies. In ancient Mesopotamia, they created wheels and used them to build carts for better transportation of people and goods.
In modern times, it helps us accomplish our essential daily tasks that usually involve mental and physical effort. These tasks include running cars, carrying heavy objects, and powering our heating and cooling systems
Examples of Mechanical Technology
Motors: This mechanical mechanism works by converting electrical currents into rotational movement. You can find motors in everyday devices like fans, water pumps, and washing machines.
Gears or Cogwheels: Open any rotating machine and see this mechanical technology. Gears are what cause changes in power and speed. Moving machines like bicycles and ships use them.
3. Communication Technology
Communication technology uses tools and systems to pass messages to people. The first use of communication was using symbols to send messages about 30,000 years BCE. Some symbols used include cave paintings, petroglyphs, pictograms, and ideograms.
Every day we use this technology to communicate with one another. You are using a smartphone or laptop to read this blog post on the internet. That’s communication technology in motion.
Examples of Communications Technology
Telephone: This device enables people to communicate from anywhere in the world. The early phones could only make voice calls. Today, you can make voice and video calls, send text messages, and browse the web with your smartphone.
Internet Technologies: The internet is the most transformative technology of the modern world. You can use it to stay in contact with people beyond geographical barriers.
4. Industrial and Manufacturing Technology
Industrial and manufacturing technologies focus on faster, simpler, and more efficient production of machines, complex tools, engines, products, hardware parts, and processes. They help manufacturing companies increase production levels and achieve better productivity.
20 years ago, the thought of producing goods without human intervention was sci-fiction. Today, automation and data analysis are transforming the manufacturing field.
Industrial and Manufacturing Technology
Source: SL Controls
Examples of Industrial and Manufacturing Technology
Smart Factories: Manufacturing environments that use well-connected technology to automate and improve processes for increased productivity. Manufacturers use smart robot technology to produce products faster and cheaper.
3D Printing: 3D printers help manufacturers to improve production speeds and reduce waste.
5. Electronic Technology
Electronic technology is the use of electric-powered devices and systems to process and transmit information.
A broad range of devices falls under this category: your laptop, tablet, phone, printer, television, and communication systems like satellite networks and the internet.
Electronic Technology
Source: Pexels
Examples of Electronic Technology
Smart Television: You use it to watch your favorite shows, sports matches, and new stations.
Digital Printers: Printers are essential business tools that are still relevant in today’s business environment. Although many businesses are switching from paper-based storage to the cloud, the printer is still important.
ATMs: The invention of ATMs revolutionized how people got funds from the bank. You get cash without having to stay in long queues in the banking hall. People can also perform online transactions and transfers with their ATM cards.
6. Educational Technology
Educational technologies are tools and systems designed to improve learning and teaching for students and teachers.
Any tool that helps students learn new subjects and solve practical problems falls under this category. It can be an online learning platform providing easy access to educational and innovative materials.
Educational software like LearnWorlds and Thinkific improves the learning experience for students and teachers. You can take online courses on these platforms and learn the same things taught in a physical classroom.
Educational Technology
Source: Acoustical Vision
Examples of Educational Technology
Smart Classrooms: These classrooms are full of devices that make learning easier for students. You have computers, tablets, projectors, and other software tools connected to work as one. Students can easily access the internet for research, and teachers can send files to students.
Virtual Reality: One of the best ways to teach is to present a subject in a personalized way to make it easily relatable. Through VR, students can relate better to the topic through a first-hand virtual experience rather than using their imaginations. Students can easily remember what they saw. VR has significantly changed the educational system from something seen as boring to a more engaging experience.
Gamification: This technology helps students actively participate in the learning experience. They can take the driver’s seat. Many school lessons are now in video game format. Students are more motivated to learn this way. Why? At the end of every lesson, there is a structured reward system for good grades.
7. Business Technology
Business technology refers to equipment, software, and systems that help organizations improve work productivity and accomplish tasks easier and faster.
Successful businesses use technology to drive their business operations and scale their growth. Even small businesses use it to keep up with the competition.
Examples of Business Technology
Business Tools: The business tools you use to start and run your online business fall under this category. For example, they are your website and landing page builder, web host, webinar, video conferencing, email marketing, and keyword research tools.
Security Tools: Security is a vital issue for every business. A wise business owner will invest in the right business security systems to keep the company physically and digitally safe. Only authorized users can access essential data with the right security software. Installing advanced motion detectors and security cameras helps reduce the risks of robbery.
Communication Tools: Having the right technology means you can effectively communicate important goals and plans to employees. You can hold virtual meetings with team communication tools like Zoom and Monday.com.
8. Construction Technology
When you see heavy engineering structures like bridges and large buildings, that’s the magnificent work of construction technology.
This technology covers advanced methods, simple and complex tools, and software systems used to build a structure.
Construction tools help builders to efficiently complete a project on time, within budget, and with minimum accidents.
Construction Technology
Source: Behance
Examples of Construction Technology
3D Houses from Printing to Design: 3-dimensional printing is widely used globally for construction because of its various benefits. 3D-printed houses are cheaper, faster, and more cost effective than traditional alternatives. Turning to the design, you can use floor plan software if you want to peek into or customize how your house looks inside. It helps you to arrange elements harmonically and effectively to cut costs and achieve visual perfection.
Exoskeletons: They are wearable devices that can improve the abilities of construction workers. With an exoskeleton, construction workers can work better, faster, and with fewer mistakes. It helps them minimize workplace accidents and increase productivity. An exoskeleton is a whole-body suit that includes power gloves and support for arms, shoulders, and back.
LiDAR Technology: Such 3D modeling tools let construction teams create 3D models of building sites and edifices, so they better plan their project stages and costs.
9. Assistive Technology
Assistive technology uses technical means and tools to improve the quality of life of dependent people. People with disabilities use it to carry out tasks that are relatively impossible or difficult to perform.
A disabled person who moves around in an off-road wheelchair and performs basic tasks uses assistive technology.
Examples of Assistive Technology
Screen Readers: They help the visually impaired or blind to know what is on the computer screen. Staying connected is a lot easier for blind people because of this software. Examples of screen readers are JAWS for Windows, NVDA, or Voiceover for Mac.
Text Readers: This software reads out text with a synthesized voice for those who cannot read. They come with a highlighter to emphasize the words spoken. Some of the most popular text-to-speech software (TTS) you have probably heard of are Murf, Descript, and Speechelo.
10. Entertainment Technology
Entertainment technology refers to the tools and systems that create an entertaining experience for people.
The media and entertainment industry relies heavily on this technology. Think about the special effects you see in movies, online streams, and VR games. They all fall under the category.
Entertainment Technology
Source: Pixabay
Examples of Entertainment Technology
IoT-Driven Museums: Modern museums use emerging technologies like IoT and virtual reality to showcase historical art pieces, artifacts, and documents to visitors.
Gaming on the Blockchain: Various games are emerging using blockchain technology, like Crypto kitties and Hunt ercoin. Blockchain games are making waves, and gamers are gravitating toward