A spare part from a printer
A bakery's mixer loses a small plastic gear. The maker no longer sells it. A technician prints a new one on a 3D printer. It costs less than a pound.
New technology brings new options. It also brings new costs to people and to the planet. Today you see six more developments.
By the end of this lesson
Note
I can describe six more emerging technologies and name one benefit and one concern for each.
Key words
| Word | What it means |
|---|---|
| Open source | software whose code anyone may read, change and share |
| Blockchain | a shared record kept in linked blocks that is very hard to change |
| 3D printing | building an object layer by layer from a design |
| Drone | a flying machine with no pilot on board |
| Rare metal | a metal that is hard to find and mine, used in electronics |
| E-waste | old electronic equipment that is thrown away |
| Autonomous | able to act without a person controlling every move |
The cells students fill in are left blank in this preview.
Starter: what you already know
Have a go
Starter: what you already know
3 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.
Open source and blockchain
Open source software is free to read, change and share. It can cut cost, and many people check it. But a firm must still support it, and keep it up to date.
Blockchain stores records in linked blocks that many computers share. Changing an old block is very hard. It suits records that must be trusted. Some kinds use a lot of power.
3D printing and drones
3D printing builds objects layer by layer. It helps with test models, spare parts and made to order items. It can also make poor or unsafe copies.
Drones fly without a pilot on board. They inspect roofs, carry small loads and film places. Rules cover safety and privacy.
Check: the first four
Have a go
Check: the first four
4 questionsYour answers are marked here and are not kept. A college account keeps every student’s marks.