The hub for future innovation

Everything coming next, and how far away it really is.

Vrulum tracks emerging technology from lab bench to real world. See what has been shown to work, what is still an idea, and how close the big futures actually are, with every claim linked to its source.

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202technology profiles
136futures tracked
110breakthroughs
1408linked sources
AI illustration · Illustrative scene, not a photograph of the specific device or experiment.
Latest: Bioresorbable metal-free magnet enables untethered organ monitoring in porcine modelsRead what was actually demonstrated →
Encyclopedia

The best-evidenced technologies

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Self-healing polymers

Self-healing polymers are plastics, rubbers and composites that can repair cracks or cuts, either on their own or with a trigger such as heat. Laboratory work since 2001 has shown partial to full recovery of strength in several material families. Bacteria-based concrete has reached full-scale pilots, but most systems remain at the research and prototype stage.

Research and prototypesDemonstrated
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Autonomous road vehicles

Autonomous road vehicles do some or all of the driving without a human in control. Driverless robotaxis now operate in several US cities, and independent and company data both report fewer crashes per mile than human drivers, but the evidence covers limited areas and mileage.

Pilot and early commercialDemonstrated
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Bioresorbable (transient) electronics

Bioresorbable electronics are working circuits, sensors and stimulators made from materials designed to dissolve in the body after a set time. They aim to provide temporary implants, such as short-term pacemakers or brain pressure monitors, that never need surgical removal.

Research and prototypesDemonstrated
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Gene-edited pig organ xenotransplantation

Xenotransplantation means transplanting organs from one species into another, and gene-edited pigs are the main candidate source of donor kidneys. Pig kidneys have functioned for up to 61 days in brain-dead recipients and for a small number of living patients. One peer-reviewed living case reported 271 days of dialysis independence. Long-term results and controlled trials are still needed.

Research and prototypesReported, unverified
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Cultivated meat

Cultivated meat is produced by growing animal cells in bioreactors instead of raising whole animals. US, UK, and Australian and New Zealand regulators have started product-specific reviews, but high culture media costs and the need for structures to support thick tissue remain major hurdles.

Research and prototypesReported, unverified
Radar

Readiness and evidence, side by side

Readiness, evidence quality and momentum are rated separately, each with a dated rationale. There is no single overall score, because a mature technology with weak evidence and an early one with excellent evidence are different stories.

Open the radar
Technology radarEach technology plotted by readiness (horizontal) and evidence quality (vertical). Larger dots indicate more momentum.1122334455Readiness →Evidence quality →2D semiconductor electronics2D semiconductor electronics: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 43D-printed buildings3D-printed buildings: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 44D printing4D printing: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Accelerated transcranial magnetic stimulationAccelerated transcranial magnetic stimulation: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Acoustic levitationAcoustic levitation: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 3Adaptive deep brain stimulationAdaptive deep brain stimulation: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4AerogelsAerogels: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Agricultural spray dronesAgricultural spray drones: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3AI coding agentsAI coding agents: readiness 4, evidence 2, momentum 4AI mathematical reasoning and theorem provingAI mathematical reasoning and theorem proving: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 5AI protein structure predictionAI protein structure prediction: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 4AI tutorsAI tutors: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4AI weather forecastingAI weather forecasting: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 5AI-assisted chip designAI-assisted chip design: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4Analogue quantum simulationAnalogue quantum simulation: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Artificial muscles (soft actuators)Artificial muscles (soft actuators): readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 3Artificial photosynthesisArtificial photosynthesis: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Assembly-line mass productionAssembly-line mass production: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 2Asteroid miningAsteroid mining: readiness 1, evidence 3, momentum 3Asteroid sample return missionsAsteroid sample return missions: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Atmospheric water generatorsAtmospheric water generators: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Atmospheric water harvesting (MOF/sorbent based)Atmospheric water harvesting (MOF/sorbent based): readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Autonomous laboratoriesAutonomous laboratories: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Autonomous road vehiclesAutonomous road vehicles: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Autonomous surgical robotsAutonomous surgical robots: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Autonomous underwater vehiclesAutonomous underwater vehicles: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 3Base and prime gene editingBase and prime gene editing: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 5Battery-free wireless implant sensorsBattery-free wireless implant sensors: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3BiocharBiochar: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Bionic limbs with nerve and bone connectionBionic limbs with nerve and bone connection: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Bioresorbable (transient) electronicsBioresorbable (transient) electronics: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 3Brain organoidsBrain organoids: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Brain-computer interfacesBrain-computer interfaces: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Breath diagnosticsBreath diagnostics: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Car electronics and engine controlCar electronics and engine control: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 4Carbon-storing building materialsCarbon-storing building materials: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 3Catalytic convertersCatalytic converters: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 2Chiplets and advanced chip packagingChiplets and advanced chip packaging: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Closed-loop brain stimulation for epilepsyClosed-loop brain stimulation for epilepsy: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 3Clutches, gearboxes and differentialsClutches, gearboxes and differentials: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 2Cochlear implantsCochlear implants: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Commercial lunar landersCommercial lunar landers: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Commercial space stationsCommercial space stations: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Computer-use AI agentsComputer-use AI agents: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Consumer brain-sensing wearablesConsumer brain-sensing wearables: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4Crops with boosted photosynthesisCrops with boosted photosynthesis: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 4Cultivated meatCultivated meat: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Delivery dronesDelivery drones: readiness 4, evidence 2, momentum 4Digital twins of the EarthDigital twins of the Earth: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4Direct air capture of CO2Direct air capture of CO2: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Direct-to-phone satellite messagingDirect-to-phone satellite messaging: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Distributed fibre-optic sensingDistributed fibre-optic sensing: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 3DNA data storageDNA data storage: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 3DNA nanotechnology and DNA origamiDNA nanotechnology and DNA origami: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 3Drought-tolerant cropsDrought-tolerant crops: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Electric aircraftElectric aircraft: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Electric space propulsionElectric space propulsion: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 4Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraftElectric vertical take-off and landing aircraft: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4Electrochemical CO2 conversionElectrochemical CO2 conversion: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Electrolysers for low-carbon hydrogenElectrolysers for low-carbon hydrogen: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 4Electronic skinElectronic skin: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Engineered living materialsEngineered living materials: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Engineered living therapeuticsEngineered living therapeutics: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Enhanced geothermal systemsEnhanced geothermal systems: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Enhanced rock weatheringEnhanced rock weathering: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4Environmental DNA monitoringEnvironmental DNA monitoring: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Event-based (neuromorphic) camerasEvent-based (neuromorphic) cameras: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 4Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithographyExtreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 4Flow batteriesFlow batteries: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Focused ultrasound for the brainFocused ultrasound for the brain: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Fusion energyFusion energy: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Gene drive mosquitoesGene drive mosquitoes: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Gene therapy for inherited deafnessGene therapy for inherited deafness: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Gene-edited cropsGene-edited crops: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Gene-edited livestockGene-edited livestock: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Gene-edited pig organ xenotransplantationGene-edited pig organ xenotransplantation: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 5High-density neural probesHigh-density neural probes: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Hollow-core optical fibreHollow-core optical fibre: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Humanoid robotsHumanoid robots: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Hydrogen aircraftHydrogen aircraft: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Hyperspectral imagingHyperspectral imaging: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4In vivo gene editingIn vivo gene editing: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4In-space manufacturingIn-space manufacturing: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4In-space servicing and assemblyIn-space servicing and assembly: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Industrial steelmakingIndustrial steelmaking: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Insect protein farmingInsect protein farming: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 2Iron-air batteriesIron-air batteries: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Jet suits and jetpacksJet suits and jetpacks: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Lab-grown red blood cellsLab-grown red blood cells: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Laser and robotic weedingLaser and robotic weeding: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Laser communication linksLaser communication links: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 4Laser-written glass data storageLaser-written glass data storage: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Lead-acid batteriesLead-acid batteries: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 2Legged robotsLegged robots: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Li-Fi (light-based wireless networking)Li-Fi (light-based wireless networking): readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Lithium-ion batteriesLithium-ion batteries: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Low-boom supersonic aircraftLow-boom supersonic aircraft: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Lunar resource extractionLunar resource extraction: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Magnetic levitationMagnetic levitation: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Making oxygen and fuel on MarsMaking oxygen and fuel on Mars: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Mechanical metamaterialsMechanical metamaterials: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Metal additive manufacturingMetal additive manufacturing: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 4Metasurface optics and flat lensesMetasurface optics and flat lenses: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4MicroLED displaysMicroLED displays: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 2Multi-cancer early detection blood testsMulti-cancer early detection blood tests: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Mycelium compositesMycelium composites: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Neuromorphic computing chipsNeuromorphic computing chips: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 3Neutral-atom quantum computersNeutral-atom quantum computers: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 5Nitrogen-fixing cerealsNitrogen-fixing cereals: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Nuclear space propulsion and powerNuclear space propulsion and power: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Ocean alkalinity enhancementOcean alkalinity enhancement: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 4Ocean thermal energy conversionOcean thermal energy conversion: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Optical atomic clocksOptical atomic clocks: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Optical interconnects and co-packaged opticsOptical interconnects and co-packaged optics: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 5OptogeneticsOptogenetics: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Orbital data centresOrbital data centres: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 4Organ and tissue cryopreservationOrgan and tissue cryopreservation: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Organ-on-a-chipOrgan-on-a-chip: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Passive daytime radiative coolingPassive daytime radiative cooling: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Perennial grainsPerennial grains: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Peripheral nerve interfacesPeripheral nerve interfaces: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Perovskite-silicon tandem solar cellsPerovskite-silicon tandem solar cells: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 5Petroleum refiningPetroleum refining: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 2Photonic computing for AIPhotonic computing for AI: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Photonic integrated circuitsPhotonic integrated circuits: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Photonic quantum computersPhotonic quantum computers: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Planetary defencePlanetary defence: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Plant microbial fuel cellsPlant microbial fuel cells: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Post-quantum cryptographyPost-quantum cryptography: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 4Precision fermentationPrecision fermentation: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Precision livestock farmingPrecision livestock farming: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Precision machine tools and interchangeable partsPrecision machine tools and interchangeable parts: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Protein made from air and electricityProtein made from air and electricity: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Quantum annealingQuantum annealing: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 3Quantum error correctionQuantum error correction: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 5Quantum gravimetryQuantum gravimetry: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Quantum key distributionQuantum key distribution: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 3Quantum memoriesQuantum memories: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Quantum random number generatorsQuantum random number generators: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Quantum repeaters and quantum networksQuantum repeaters and quantum networks: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Quantum sensorsQuantum sensors: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Recirculating aquaculture systemsRecirculating aquaculture systems: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 2Retinal prostheses and vision restorationRetinal prostheses and vision restoration: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Reusable launch vehiclesReusable launch vehicles: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Robotic fruit and vegetable harvestingRobotic fruit and vegetable harvesting: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Rolling bearingsRolling bearings: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 2Satellite broadband constellationsSatellite broadband constellations: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 4Satellite methane detectionSatellite methane detection: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Satellite navigation (GNSS)Satellite navigation (GNSS): readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Seawater electrolysisSeawater electrolysis: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Seaweed farming at scaleSeaweed farming at scale: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 3Self-healing polymersSelf-healing polymers: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 3Self-monitoring infrastructureSelf-monitoring infrastructure: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Silicon spin qubitsSilicon spin qubits: readiness 2, evidence 4, momentum 4Sleep neurostimulationSleep neurostimulation: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Small modular nuclear reactorsSmall modular nuclear reactors: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Smart contact lensesSmart contact lenses: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 2Smart textilesSmart textiles: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Sodium-ion batteriesSodium-ion batteries: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Soft exosuitsSoft exosuits: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Soft robotic grippersSoft robotic grippers: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Solar sailsSolar sails: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 2Solid-state batteriesSolid-state batteries: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Solid-state lidarSolid-state lidar: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Space biomanufacturingSpace biomanufacturing: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3Space debris removalSpace debris removal: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Space weather forecastingSpace weather forecasting: readiness 4, evidence 4, momentum 3Space-based solar powerSpace-based solar power: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Spinal cord stimulation for paralysisSpinal cord stimulation for paralysis: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Sprayable RNA biopesticidesSprayable RNA biopesticides: readiness 4, evidence 2, momentum 4Springs and vehicle suspensionSprings and vehicle suspension: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 3Stratospheric aerosol injectionStratospheric aerosol injection: readiness 1, evidence 3, momentum 3Structural batteriesStructural batteries: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Superconducting power cablesSuperconducting power cables: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Superconducting quantum computersSuperconducting quantum computers: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 4Swarm roboticsSwarm robotics: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4The electric motorThe electric motor: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 4The internal combustion engineThe internal combustion engine: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 2The motor carThe motor car: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3The steam engineThe steam engine: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 2The wheel and axleThe wheel and axle: readiness 5, evidence 3, momentum 2Thermal energy storageThermal energy storage: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 4Thermoelectric generatorsThermoelectric generators: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 3Thin-film flexible robotsThin-film flexible robots: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Thin-film lithium niobate photonicsThin-film lithium niobate photonics: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Topological qubitsTopological qubits: readiness 1, evidence 2, momentum 3Transparent woodTransparent wood: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 4Trapped-ion quantum computersTrapped-ion quantum computers: readiness 3, evidence 3, momentum 4Two-photon lithography and nanoscale 3D printingTwo-photon lithography and nanoscale 3D printing: readiness 3, evidence 4, momentum 3Vagus nerve stimulationVagus nerve stimulation: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Vehicle brakesVehicle brakes: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 2Vehicle safety systemsVehicle safety systems: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Vehicle steeringVehicle steering: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 3Vehicle-to-gridVehicle-to-grid: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 3Vertical farming and controlled-environment agricultureVertical farming and controlled-environment agriculture: readiness 4, evidence 3, momentum 3Vulcanised rubber and pneumatic tyresVulcanised rubber and pneumatic tyres: readiness 5, evidence 4, momentum 2Warehouse picking robotsWarehouse picking robots: readiness 3, evidence 2, momentum 4Wearable ultrasound patchesWearable ultrasound patches: readiness 2, evidence 3, momentum 3Wireless charging roadsWireless charging roads: readiness 2, evidence 2, momentum 3
Connections

How technologies build on each other

used by

Assembly-line mass production → The motor car

The Model T was built on a moving line from 1913.

depends on

Assembly-line mass production → Precision machine tools and interchangeable parts

Moving lines need interchangeable parts.

enables

Asteroid mining → In-space manufacturing

Asteroid-derived metal or water could supply in-space manufacturing if a customer and processing system exist.

Trust

How we label evidence

Primary research comes first. Preprints are labelled. Grants and patents are not treated as proof that something works. Every correction is logged, and every page shows its revision history.

Read the methodology →
Demonstrated
Shown in a published experiment, test or shipping product.
Reported, unverified
Stated by a company or team but not independently confirmed.
Proposed
A design or plan that has not yet been built or tested.
Disputed
Contested by other credible sources.
Speculative
An idea or possible use. Not evidence of anything.
Superseded
Replaced by newer evidence.

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