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.”
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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.
Futureproof: Autonomous Rescue Crew Members
This was a bad one. After working earthquakes for 30 years worldwide, the big one hit Los Angeles this month. Thank God we had help from Danno and the other autonomous search and rescue members. Their strength is remarkable, and their sensors are invaluable. They have saved so many lives.
Future Narrative
This was a bad one. After working on earthquakes for 30 years worldwide, the big one hit Los Angeles this month. Thank God we had help from “DANNO,” or Disaster Assistant Non-Native Operator, and the other autonomous search and rescue members. Their strength is remarkable, and their sensors are invaluable. They have saved so many lives. They hear and see using acoustic, IR, thermal, and other high-resolution visual hardware. Once they find someone, it's incredible how they articulate and maneuver into small spaces to shore things up so we can reach them. DANNO has experienced five significant earthquakes. We have noticed him taking more breaks lately due to reduced on-board power stores, so the department is considering retiring him with merit. He will still be of use around our HQ, fixing vehicles and the like, and knows all our favorite recipes.
Technology
AI-enabled semi-autonomous mobility sensors, full vision camera array including thermal sensors, acoustic sensor array including heartbeat sensors, air quality measurement and alert system, onboard structural analysis AI synthesis, hydraulic lift capability, diamond blade cutter, spot fire suppression, emergency rescue comms package, and geo-positioning system.
Implications
How will human-robot partnerships evolve?
What rights will android and assistive robotic systems have?
How will these systems function in ways that are emotionally intuitive to humans, such as using body language or other non-verbal ways of communicating?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: USGS Monitor
Future USGS locations may be supplemented with Monitor technology that collects data related to weather, vegetation conditions, wildfire management, wildlife migration, and more.
Future Narrative
On a recent cross-country motorcycle trip, I stopped north of Moab, Utah, to bivouac for an evening. The dry creekbed and a nearby rock formation protected me from the gentle overnight breeze. I took a short hike at sunrise and came across one of those new USGS markers with a solar-powered camera Monitor kit anchored next to it. I scanned the badge to access the viewpoint later. It was strange to have felt so alone and isolated the evening before, only to discover a Monitor station a quarter of a mile away. It is beneficial that these resources are available for those who need assistance. I can also view the camera feed from this location remotely, which is excellent as it is now one of my favorite bivouacking sites. Still, I wonder what it takes to get off the grid for a while.
Technology
AI-enabled, solar-powered image monitoring for fire prevention, weather forecast augmentation, vegetation monitoring, and remote assistance services
Implications
With new off-grid support infrastructure in place, what does getting away from it all mean?
How might this seldom-seen support network impact the human spirit?
How might USGS Monitor technology save lives and communities as we see more significant weather and wildfire events?
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: Crowdcasting AI Sports Coverage
Seeing the Tour de France through the eyes of so many who attended this summer was amazing! Crowdcasting AI technology provided unprecedented opportunities to view riders through the thousands of Crowdcast spectator cameras lining the race route.
Future Narrative
Seeing the Tour de France through the eyes of so many who attended this summer was amazing! Crowdcasting AI technology provided unprecedented opportunities to view riders through the thousands of Crowdcast spectator cameras lining the race route. Crowdcast AI instantly parsed together images from thousands of cameras, passing off the feed to the next spectator camera as riders passed by. It works kind of like an inverse zoetrope. The larger the crowd, the better the results tend to be. We have full course coverage this year, and Crowdcasting has made the routes much safer. Gone are all those outstretched arms and selfie sticks holding the smartphones riders had to avoid in past tours. And, of course, the first-person camera views from riders were terrific!
Technology
AI-enabled, broadcast camera view parsing, mesh high-speed Wi-Fi with larger camera units, solar visor battery power augmentation for mesh Wi-Fi units, cranium shielding SafeWave technology, and a fully transparent capable display. Customizable crowd casting allows spectators to watch individual participants of their choice.
Implications
How might AI further enable compelling coverage of sporting events at large venues and over large distances via massive point-of-view crowdcasting?
What companies are well-positioned to provide the needed technologies to make crowdcasting possible?
Related Links
See the remarkable classic Zoetrope at speed work done to promote Forza’s racing game.
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.
Futureproof: AI Powered Woodworking
AI-enabled, precision power tools transform garages into micro-factories. What will the value of future craftsmanship involve in terms of automation? How will the definition of “hand-crafted” evolve?
Future Narrative
I walked into my woodworking shop this morning, and my new tabletop AI-powered wood rendering setup had completed the batch I programmed the night before. There are a few unexpected things I will have to touch up, but this saved me hours of repetitive work. It is almost as good as the one we have at work. Measurements and tolerances are precise, and everything fits together perfectly. Now, I can focus on the details. This one is for the local museum. I might create another one in time for the Fine Arts Fair. Once I dial things in, I’ll try the “print to Etsy” feature. But first, I’ll use this setup to create soundproofing panels so I can run it all night without upsetting the neighbors.
Technology
AI, personal computer interfaces, and motorized precision woodworking tools transform garages into micro-factories.
Implications
What will the value of future craftsmanship involve in terms of automation? How will the definition of “hand-crafted” evolve?
If you are a tool company, what are you doing today to integrate digital and AI capabilities into your offerings?
Early Signals
www.shapertools.com
Futureproof is a series of occasional provocations illustrating possible future paths for technology and culture. Think postcards from the future.