The Futureproof Series.
Postcards
From the Future.
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Futureproof Series
Postcards From the Future
As part of designbivouac’s Futureproof Series, this collection offers a set of visual explorations and concise narratives designed to spark conversation, challenge assumptions, and inspire strategic thinking about what lies ahead.
“Imagination is everything. It is the preview of life’s coming attractions.”
Search Futureproof Entries
Methodology
Futurecasting is a creative process where designers explore various social, cultural, economic, political, and ecological factors to envision potential futures. Rather than predicting the future with certainty, futurecasting focuses on imagining possible and preferable scenarios that inform long-term strategies. It helps businesses understand the forces shaping the future, anticipate changes, and create proactive strategies. Preferable futures align technology with human needs while ensuring sustainability from a planetary perspective.
“The best way to predict the future is to design it.”
Frameworks
The Futureproof: Postcards From the Future series draws on frameworks, such as Joseph Voros’s Futures Cone and backcasting, to guide its exploration. By working backward from a desirable future state to our current reality, backcasting helps identify the necessary conditions to achieve a preferred vision. The aim is to encourage thoughtful consideration of our shared future and inspire active participation in shaping it.
Visual and Narrative Approach
The series' visual approach integrates AI tools into the creative process, blending visuals with written narratives that evolve organically as each postcard from the future takes form. The series is designed to inspire deeper reflection on the necessary actions to make our collective preferred future a reality.
Next Generation Building Inspection
Megaprojects like the intercontinental high-speed rail system, urban environmental hardening, and coastal region retrenchment placed extreme demands on the industry. As a result, humans worked closely with an increasing variety of robotic counterparts, introducing new construction integrity challenges. New inspection methods were developed for all stages of construction.
Future Narrative
Megaprojects, such as the intercontinental high-speed rail system, urban environmental hardening, and coastal region retrenchment, placed extreme demands on the industry. As a result, humans worked closely with an increasing variety of robotic counterparts, introducing new challenges to construction integrity. New inspection methods were developed for all stages of the construction process.
New Pacific Gate Harbor site inspector Kate Kimmon uses a Yutani MASID-64 Multispectrum Acoustic Structural Inspection Device) to inspect new construction in Los Angeles, California.
New construction approaches, including 3D printing and robotically interlaced rebar-reinforced concrete, improved the strength of structures. A new generation of structural inspectors supported this wave of innovative and efficient building techniques. These guardians of safety utilized new technology to examine the inner structure of elements. Yutani’s MASID-64 Multispectrum Acoustic Structural Inspection Devices empowered structural inspectors to effectively see through all layers of a structure, ensuring the integrity of increasingly automated construction methods.
This is a typical view highlighting structural rebar as seen through a Yutani (Structural Viewing Device). Inspectors can view inside building structural elements up to 10 feet thick.
This view highlights areas that need closer inspection. Structural engineers using MASIDs have ensured the integrity of hundreds of thousands of structures.
Early Signals
“Just Print It” Blog entry on designbivouac charting the advancement of 3D printed homes.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Protective Acoustic Wave
The war in Ukraine made the importance of drone and artillery defense clear to everyone. A groundbreaking technology emerged, leveraging acoustic wave energy and microwave energy (A.W.E.M.E) to create planar barriers to protect troops from frontal or overhead attacks. Today, a downscaled version known commercially as the SoundSentinel™, safeguards crops from insects.
Future Narrative
The war in Ukraine made the importance of drone and artillery defense clear to everyone. A groundbreaking planar wave technology emerged, leveraging acoustic wave energy and microwave emissions (A.W.E.M.E) to create barriers and protect troops from frontal or overhead attacks. Today, a downscaled version known commercially as the SoundSentinel™ safeguards crops from insects. Like bug zappers from years ago, the planar wave resonance eliminates specific pests as they pass over crops in the field.
In the agricultural sector, this acoustic barrier technology represents a significant advancement in pest control. Chemical pesticides or physical nets can harm the environment and are labor-intensive. Planar wave technology offers a sustainable and maintenance-free alternative. Applying tuned acoustic waves and microwaves to target specific insect species effectively eliminates pests from crops without harming beneficial insects or the surrounding ecosystem. This precise targeting reduces crop damage and increases yield, contributing to more efficient and eco-friendly farming practices.
In military applications, protective planar wave systems are stronger, sometimes leading to the acoustic capturing of smoke and flames, making the barrier temporarily visible. The invisibility of the protective barrier can be restored by briefly cycling the system and allowing smoke and flames to dissipate.
As with many technologies, acoustic and microwave barriers were developed in response to the intense need to protect troops in conflict. The technology then found its way into commercial agricultural applications. When deployed around a base, convoy, or troop formation, planar wave technology projects a plane of high-frequency sound and microwaves that disrupt incoming drones or ordinance. Multiple protective barriers can be deployed horizontally or vertically at various distances, providing full coverage for troops in the field. Forces can integrate planar wave technology into existing infrastructure or deploy it using power provided by armored vehicles that move with infantry units across the battle space, thus providing flexible and robust protection in various combat scenarios.
Refinements of protective acoustic barriers included projecting laser visual indicators that reflected off of trapped particulates within the acoustic barrier to aid troops in identifying the position of A.W.E.M.E. Mark II systems.
Early military planar wave barriers were so strong that, depending on environmental conditions, they sometimes spawned fires. As a result, troops referred to the A.W.E.M.E. Mark I system as the “Gates of Hell.”
Implications
The versatility of this acoustic barrier technology lies in its ability to be finely tuned to specific frequencies and intensities, ensuring optimal effectiveness for various applications. As research and development continue, we can anticipate further enhancements, such as integrating artificial intelligence to dynamically adjust sound parameters based on real-time threats or pest behavior. This fusion of acoustic engineering and advanced algorithms promises to revolutionize military defense and agricultural protection, marking a significant leap forward in the use of non-lethal defense and sustainable crop technologies. However, the health of those using this technology must be safeguarded, and we must avoid unintended consequences such as additional noise pollution or interference with wildlife across wide green spaces.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Roadside Cleanup Crews
I remember driving with my dad and occasionally passing by groups of those convicted of minor offenses serving their community service hours on a roadside cleanup crew. Back then, small groups wore hi-vis vests, carried trash bags, and picked up garbage along the roadways. A van or bus with a supervisor was somewhere nearby. That scene is very different today.
Future Narrative
I remember driving with my dad and occasionally passing by groups of those convicted of minor offenses serving their community service hours on a roadside cleanup crew. Back then, small groups wore hi-vis vests, carried trash bags, and picked up garbage along the roadways. A van or bus with a supervisor was somewhere nearby. That scene is very different today.
Things changed when we started to militarize law enforcement. It happened slowly yet intentionally. To save money, defense forces made obsolete MRAPS and other war vehicles available to police agencies at giveaway prices. These intimidating vehicles are now a part of our communities. Bakersfield resembles a war-torn Baghdad from a bygone era. Prisons are big business today, too. The prison is now the county's third-largest employer.
We also turned our backs on the climate accords and eliminated many environmental regulations that held corporations and individuals responsible for polluting. As a result, over the last 20 years, temperatures and the piles of trash along our roadways have continued to rise. Outdoor work crews must now be equipped with some form of cooling apparatus during the summer months. The garbage they come into contact with is far more dangerous to handle, too. Now, the government spends the money we were supposed to have saved by purchasing MRAP vehicles to equip those convicted of minor infractions with expensive disposable protective equipment, making it a relatively easy yet meaningful task to set up and supervise. Oh yeah, last year, our local city council approved cooling tent attachments for some of the MRAPs, which, ironically, makes them more expensive and polluting as they burn even more diesel fuel.
Seeing these work crews is becoming more common. Every time I pass one of these outfits on the side of the road, I am filled with a bit of fear for the future. The worst thing about all this is that I see the same fear on my son’s face, too.
Implications
To save money spent on decommissioning thousands of mine-resistant armored personnel carriers (MRAPs) produced for the conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Department of Defense provided police forces with the option of acquiring MRAPs at bargain basement prices. This, and other up-armoring efforts, led to a distinct militarization effect for many police forces across America. In a quest for efficiency, cost savings, and force protection, the days of the cop on the beat who was well-known by neighborhood citizens are long gone. What will be the long-term effects of depersonalizing and militarizing America’s policing forces?
Climate change will continue to accelerate without drastic action, rendering important outdoor tasks impossible without the use of expensive environmental mitigation suits. What will the additional human and economic cost of heating and cooling clothing be, and how will this impact workers' quality of life? Will this become a further contributor to climate change?
If we reduce or eliminate environmental protections, what will the consequences be for clean land, air, and water? How might we reinforce an era of personal and corporate environmental responsibility and accountability? Rather than stifling businesses, what new businesses and clean industries could be created to reverse global warming?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Bastion Facial Filter Glasses
These Bastion glasses are excellent. I bought them a couple of months ago because my eyes were getting tired, and the city’s poor air quality was starting to impact my health. They filter for UV, shift tint according to lighting conditions, and protect against the possibility of incidental overlapping LIDAR from all of the self-driving vehicles that I pass on my walking commute. They also provide filtered air close to my nose, which has helped my breathing considerably.
Future Narrative
These Bastion facial filter glasses are excellent. They filter for UV, shift tint according to lighting conditions, and protect against incidental overlapping LIDAR from all the self-driving vehicles I pass on my walking commute. Most importantly, they provide filtered air close to my nose, which helps my breathing and allergies. ScentScene™ fragrance pods fit in each temple and emit various scents depending on your location.
While they cost more than traditional eyewear, the benefits have been worth it. The battery lasts approximately four days, and kinetic chargers ensure that every move I make replenishes some power to my eyewear. Scents are powerfully linked to memory and offer a neat way to enhance our memory and a sense of place. There are also connections between scents, health, and well-being. Come to think of it, I have been a bit more relaxed recently, so maybe there is something to the ScentScene™ technology after all.
Related Technologies
The micro air filtration system provides positive pressure and clean air around the nose and mouth.
Reflective gold coating and elements scatter LIDAR, protecting from rare overlapping amplified laser emissions from self-driving vehicles.
The kinetic charging feature utilizes body movement to maintain a high battery state.
ScentScene™ pods placed in the ear temple produce a range of scents based on GPS coordinates.
Related Work
See the Hyundai Health and Mobility work.
Implications
“Smell can instantly trigger an emotional response along with a memory, and our emotional states have a very strong effect on our physical well-being.”
-Rachel Herz, a neuroscientist at Brown University who studies the psychological science of smell.
The ability of odors to evoke memories of past experiences has intriguing scientific and therapeutic implications.
Read the Harvard Medical article The Connections Between Smell, Memory, and Health.
LIDAR technology is overwhelmingly safe for the human eye. However, this could present issues if multiple beams coincide and strike the eye simultaneously. What other unintended consequences might we face as autonomous mobility scales?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Westie Rescue Team Members
Hi. I’m Buster. Since our translator-enhanced training took place, I now relate to my trainers at an entirely new level. It feels so good to have an even richer bond with them. I am proud they believe in me enough to let me go into dangerous places to help save their friends.
Future Narrative
Hi. I’m Buster. Since our translator-enhanced training took place, I now relate to my trainers at an entirely new level. It feels wonderful to have an even deeper bond with them. I am proud they believe in me enough to let me go into dangerous places to help save their friends. People have been so good to me. I want to do good work for them. Digging and tunneling perfectly align with my breed heritage, so it’s a lot of fun most of the time. This new kit protects me and allows me to bring things to people in tight spaces. My trainer always has my back, literally. I use a rope attached to me and carry an air supply hose to people who need it, which I can use as well.
Buster is a highly decorated member of California’s vaunted Earthquake Rapid Response Team and is credited with saving over 300 lives.
Biology
West Highland Terriers, affectionately known as Westies, possess unique qualities that make them exceptionally well-suited for search and rescue operations in earthquake-stricken areas. Their compact size and agility are invaluable in navigating the challenging terrain of collapsed buildings and rubble. While larger breeds may struggle to maneuver in tight spaces, Westies can effortlessly weave through debris, accessing areas that would otherwise be inaccessible to rescuers. This ability to easily traverse precarious environments increases the chances of locating survivors trapped beneath the wreckage.
West Highland Terriers are known for unwavering determination and tenacity. Once they catch the scent of a trapped individual, they exhibit relentless perseverance in their search efforts. Their boundless energy and enthusiasm drive them to tirelessly scour through the rubble, undeterred by the chaos and devastation surrounding them. This innate drive to help and refusal to give up, even in the face of adversity, make them invaluable allies for rescue teams working against the clock to save lives.
Westies possess heightened senses, enhancing their effectiveness in search and rescue missions. Their acute sense of smell enables them to detect human scent amidst the chaos of disaster sites, even when it is faint or buried beneath layers of debris. Additionally, their sharp hearing enables them to pinpoint sounds that may indicate signs of life beneath the rubble, aiding in the location of survivors. These enhanced senses, coupled with their intelligence and trainability, equip West Highland Terriers to excel in locating and rescuing individuals trapped in the aftermath of earthquakes.
Technology
New AI-driven translators have further enhanced the ability of Westies and their Trainers to communicate, further strengthening their bond and the effectiveness of their partnership in disaster zones.
A carbon-fiber embedded protective suit with a thermal protection layer helps protect Westies from sharp debris and thermal extremes.
Rescue Westies carry air, hydration, communication, and recovery lines into caverns, which Westies can also use to replenish themselves during rescue operations.
K-9 rescue suites integrate lighting and pockets that contain communication equipment and medical supplies.
Seeing the face of a West Highland Terrier during times of distress can help calm victims and enhance their chances of survival.
Implications
What new occupations and contexts will they thrive in as we grow our bonds and communication capabilities with K-9 friends?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Autonomous Water Rescue Craft
We finally received the first of five autonomous water rescue craft last month. Since then, three people have been saved from rip tides. These craft use an array of sensors to locate swimmers in distress. Once identified, the craft approach and the two vertical motors up front dip the hinged netted rescue area below swimmers.
Future Narrative
We finally received the first of five autonomous water rescue craft last month. Since then, three people have been saved from rip tides. These crafts use an array of sensors to locate swimmers in distress. Once identified, the craft approaches and the two vertical motors up front lower the hinged, netted rescue area below swimmers. Swimmers are gently lifted above the water and settle securely on the safety netting for transport back to shore. Affectionately referred to as “Swoop and Scoops,” these crafts now provide an ever-present additional safety response along our shoreline.
Some municipalities use autonomous water rescue rafts in concert with larger craft when more than one swimmer is distressed. These smaller craft, designed with a partial submersion front motor, are typically deployed in smoother bodies of water or beyond wave breaks. They can also help patrol larger public beach areas more efficiently.
Technology
Sensors and Detection Systems: Autonomous aquatic rescue vehicles integrate various sensors, including sonar, cameras, and thermal imaging technology. These sensors enable the vessel to detect and locate distressed individuals, even in low-visibility conditions.
Communication Capabilities: The communication systems of these waterborne vehicles enable them to extend radio coverage and establish connections with rescue teams or individuals in need of assistance. They can relay vital information, provide reassurance, and coordinate rescue efforts seamlessly.
Payload and Rescue Mechanisms: Autonomous aquatic rescue vehicles carry essential supplies, including life preservers, first aid kits, and automated defibrillators. They can deliver these to distressed ships close to shore. Some have built-in mechanisms for towing or lifting individuals out of the water.
Efficiency and Speed: These rescue vehicles significantly reduce response times by leveraging sensor and autonomous technology to pre-position in areas presenting the most risk to swimmers or boaters on any given day. They operate swiftly and precisely, enhancing the chances of successful rescue missions.
Adaptability and Versatility: These rescue watercraft are customized for various scenarios, from rescuing individuals stranded at sea to aiding in swift water or flood rescue operations. Their adaptability makes them valuable assets in diverse water-related emergencies.
Implications
These water rescue vehicles feature advanced autonomous navigation systems, enabling them to operate independently in water environments. They can navigate complex waterways, identify obstacles, and reach victims quickly and efficiently. Their vigilance never wanes.
They are constantly deployed and on patrol, reducing the time needed to respond to water rescue events.
Overall, autonomous aquatic rescue vehicle technology represents a game-changing innovation in enhancing water safety and emergency response capabilities.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Ghost Recon & Rescue
Now that fusion power can be supplied via compact and lightweight equipment, new forms of mobility are popping up everywhere. Various defense forces are exploring how H.O.V.E.R. (Human Operated Vertical Equipment for Reconnaissance) technologies can help protect infantry as they conduct nearly silent patrols at extended ranges with a full equipment loadout. First responders use similar H.O.V.E.R. (Human Operated Vertical Equipment for Rescue) systems in search and rescue operations.
Future Narrative
Now that fusion power is available through compact and lightweight equipment, new forms of mobility are emerging everywhere. Advances in silent magnetic levitation are also transforming the micromobility landscape. Various defense forces are exploring how H.O.V.E.R. (Human Operated Vertical Equipment for Reconnaissance) technologies can help protect infantry as they conduct nearly silent patrols at extended ranges with a full equipment loadout.
A “virtual leash” control system ties soldiers into larger H.O.V.E.R. rigs capable of in-hover control and longer distances.
The “Follow me” virtual sled feature allows soldiers to move with more equipment or fire support.
First responders utilize similar H.O.V.E.R. (Human-Operated Vertical Equipment for Rescue) systems in search and rescue operations. These systems help searchers gain a better vantage point from which to locate those in need of rescue and make extracting them easier, safer, and more comfortable.
Search and Rescue Group 4 of Chinook County, California, temporarily uses version 2.7 of the Yutani H.O.V.E.R. system to improve its search perspective.
Search and Rescue Team 7 of Katima County, Washington, used the Weyland H1A H.O.V.E.R. prototype to “leap hover” and overcome obstacles, including stream beds.
Search and Rescue Team 2 from Baymont, California, uses the “follow me” feature of the R.O.V.E.R. (Robotic Overland Vertical Equipment for Rescue) to aid them with equipment transportation and patient extraction across rough trails.
System Benefits
The H.O.V.E.R. system enables users to overcome challenging portions of trails, urban obstacles, and small streams by activating the system and gently propelling themselves forward. In a similar fashion, trenchworks and minefields can be safely traversed. Systems from three companies are being tested to hover a typical soldier and their equipment to a maximum height of fifteen feet. Users can cover up to 30 meters with one bounding movement. A continual low-power lift function relieves users of most of the weight of their equipment.
Search and Rescue units are also testing systems. These teams benefit from similar abilities to effortlessly cross small streams or challenging portions of terrain. During searches, backcountry first responders gain a better vantage point above brush and lower forest layers. Overall, this first generation of H.O.V.E.R. systems shows great promise for reducing the physical burden users endure when carrying full combat or search and rescue loads on extended operations.
Those testing the units say it reminds them of the footage of astronauts bounding across the moon's surface, but for longer distances. Select units are testing larger rigs capable of providing hovering capabilities and directional control for small groups of linked soldiers over longer, currently classified distances.
R.O.V.E.R. (Robotic Overland Vertical Equipment for Rescue) sleds are being tested in search and rescue operations. Hover sled technology provides the sleds with 12-15 hours of constant low-level lift as they utilize a “virtual leash” feature to follow users' paths. The sleds bear the main load of the team’s equipment, increasing the endurance of search and rescue teams and the amount of territory they can search. Rescued patients are carried out of the wilderness on R.O.V.E.R. sleds, further enhancing the safety of rescue missions.
Related Links
Learn more about Gravity’s jetpack technology at www.gravity.co
Veritasium’s feature on the world’s strongest magnet
Outline of magnetic levitation and some of the most notable instances of it in mobility to date: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maglev
Learn more about the Earth’s magnetic field.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Preventative Wildfire Seed Globes
The wildfires have been devastating over the past decade in our county. In the paper last week, I read that new wildfire seed globes will be used during this fire season. They come in various sizes and contain water and seeds of plants native to our area.
Future Narrative
New wildfire seed globes containing water, seeds of plants native to our area, and fruit to support wildlife will be used during this coming fire season. The shell is as hard as a bowling ball until exposed to light or extreme heat. After a few days, the biodegradable material breaks down naturally and becomes more like a gel. Eventually, the globes burst, depositing seeds, water, or fruit on the soil.
My friend Jesse, a hotshot in Oregon, said they used them last year. She sent me some photos of seed globes dropped by a drone near a firebreak they had prepared. They worked remarkably well, and last Spring’s new growth in the burn areas was significant. Seed globes can even be used as emergency drinking water if supplies run low for crews on the line. Overall, it is great to see new wildfire-fighting tools co-existing with the forest while providing safety for wildland firefighting crews and our communities.
Wildfire seed globes can be dropped from drones or larger aircraft to form firebreaks and slow the spread of wildfires.
Within weeks of being exposed to the sun, seed globes break down naturally to deposit water and seeds on soil.
Technology
A dense, impact-resistant, biodegradable shell encapsulating seeds and water that breaks down upon exposure to extreme heat or light over time.
Implications
New ecosensitive wildfire-fighting tools will need to be developed to counter the increasing instances of wildfires, which are exacerbated by global warming, inadequate electrical grid maintenance, and irresponsible forest management.
Related Concepts and Research
This concept is somewhat of an inverse of this idea: education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/drones-shoot-fireballs-help-control-wildfires/
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Aerial Fire Rescue
Wow! It’s been a long night! It could have been a lot worse without our new jet rescue kits. Since September 11th, 2001, companies have been striving to make skyscrapers safer.
Future Narrative
Wow! It’s been a long night! It could have been much worse without our new jet lift rescue kits. Since September 11th, 2001, companies have been striving to make skyscrapers safer. Our jet lift kits made it possible to respond to the fire tonight on the 24th floor of the Easton complex. Using our new double harness system, 13 people were safely lifted off two balconies on the structure's west side. Three were transferred directly to ambulances on the ground. The others were lifted to the roof of a building across 3rd Avenue to conserve fuel, allowing us to make more runs. I tried the toddler protective harness setup for the first time tonight, too, and it worked well.
Technology
Jet pack and double harness system can lift two people and the pilot to safety. Maximum loaded flight time of 20 minutes.
Flight controller with programmable repeatable flight path memory.
Auto return to landing zone navigation feature.
Auto object avoidance sensors.
FlyRight auto stabilization feature.
Rapid refueling valve for in-the-field refueling.
Implications
As our buildings continue to rise, what systems must we implement to ensure the safety of occupants from fire or other threats?
Early Signals of Possibility
designbivouac blog post: www.designbivouac.com/blog/defying_gravity
Learn more about Gravity’s jetpack technology at www.gravity.co
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.