The year was 2004 and it’s one of my earliest memories: a trip to the cinema. I was 8 at the time and I was about to witness my first ever Will Smith movie, I, Robot.
Unbeknownst to the tragedy that I would later deem the film to be, 8-year-old me was gripped by seeing such a dystopian yet advanced society. Smith’s character, Detective Del Spooner had it all. A sick car, sick job, the jacket, the drinking problem, the trust issues, the lack of friends, the love of pie. I, Robot had it all.
The technology of a world where you didn’t have to drive your car and it would talk to you, or where a robot would help you with everyday life; I remember thinking to myself: this is amazing. Let’s not forget that the car in question was an Audi RSQ and looked like this:
Damn.
Well, it looks like the creators of I, Robot could have been accurate in predicting the level of technology civilisation will have immersed itself in by 2035 thanks to the help of Kaspersky Lab, who have created a website where which visitors can create predictions and programmers can create virtual designs of cities between the years 2030-2050.
The site, 2050.earth, shows a holographic earth with a timeline to the left and hexagons positioned around the earth which you can select to see what the future may hold.
Of course, if you can’t be bothered to play around with the earth (which is remarkably smooth and satisfying) you can select the best of the week option from the bottom of the webpage – or even better, take a look at our favourites below:
2030
Barcelona
It’s only 13 years away and yet today we’re already fearing for the future of our beloved taxi drivers and various other industries. In this image of Barcelona, you can see that by 2030, drones will be fully used, a form of robot community will have been implemented into society, vehicles will be autonomous and buildings in Barcelona will remain cool as fuck.
Shanghai
Shanghai on the other hand, has never and will continue to never hold back. Jetpacks on cops, ball-shaped wheels for autonomous vehicles, intercontinental train lines and robot hubs all feature.
Reykjavik
Wish we could say the same for Reykjavik. It’s not looking so bright there. Maybe a futuristic IT centre? Perhaps somewhere to keep the internet? Sorry Iceland.
New York
Good old New York, New York will take its time to change tradition, firstly implementing smart-wear, underwater restaurants and holographic signs. It’s good to see those old buildings stand strong in these rapidly changing predictions (NGL its pretty much a happier version of I, Robot).
Washington D.C
But what about where you’re living? Well, if its Washington D.C you won’t be disappointed, check out this crib. Definitely beats Shola Ameobi’s previous stint on the MTV show.
2040
Barcelona
Barcelona has mercilessly become a city of deceit and espionage. Apparently it will also be beardless, which fits well because I’ve never seen a spy with a beard. Still though, the buildings remain sick (note the man-made stone greenery - love it).
Shanghai
Shanghai have really invested into the world of holograms within the last 10 years, projecting a virtual city on the floor of the city and a lotus flower residing over the top of roundabouts. Robots now have hives where they can be stored after a long day of doing everything for us and your personal aircraft carrier can be seen, showing yourself lording it around, telling the peasants to smile because it’s alright, you’re flying through a city.
New York
Land of the free, home of the brave again and you have to be a brave one to want to drive what almost looks like a Star Wars pod racer which the prediction claims will ‘ride as quick as the wind’. And that big swivel building at the back? Oh that’s just the biggest recycling and reuse centre ever. Superb.
Washington D.C
And of course it’s what we were all waiting for, by 2040, in your own humble abode you may find yourself cuddling a miniature panda. Wild ones could potentially be extinct, but its OK because science.
2050
Barcelona
Ok so there’s basically shit flying everywhere. We’ve got drones, personal aircrafts, robot communities, the only safe place in Barcelona is either those red buildings still standing there in all their glory or that spiked pit of doom which I can only imagine is a haven for humans to save themselves from the overrun abyss of AI we find ourselves in.
That’s a fucking sky ship
Shanghai
Shanghai are basically at 2050 in 2040 but anyways they’ve invested in buildings which you can live in for years without leaving. Those skyscrapers? They house factories, offices, apartments, you name it, they got it.
New York
New York is still sunny, people are flying round as per, you know - the norm. Basically they live in hives across the pond by 2050 is what I’m deducing. Except for that one building with the same billboard from 2030. Live long and prosper my dude.
Washington D.C
Finally, you’ll be pleased to know that when you return home your robot will have cooked you a meal before later seducing you because yep buckle up for robo-relations. I’m sure afterwards you can kick back, relax and feel like this time you’re the one who’s been in for an MOT.
It’s an absolute goldmine this place, here’s to the next 30 years. To check out proposals for the rest of the world, check out 2050.earth