Connections eMagazine

The environment is on just about everyone's mind these days. So it's not too surprising that predictions for the way we can affect the environment made the newest "IBM Next Five in Five" list.

The Next Five in Five is a list of innovations that have the potential to change the way people work, live and play over the next five years. And the predictions weren't made in isolation: more than 150,000 people from 104 countries contributed their thoughts during an IBM-sponsored "Innovation Jam" (an innovation jam is an online brainstorming session). Those ideas, along with those from IBM researchers and consultants, helped shape the following predictions:

• Environment: We'll see the rollout of smart electrical grids and tools that'll help you meet your goals for energy conservation, appliances you can control from your phone, and more affordable solar and wind power energy. You'll stay greener - and save a little pocket green in the process.
• Transportation: Today's backup cameras and speed sensors are just a hint of the changes coming in the way you drive as cars start keeping track of each other to avoid accidents, traffic monitors guide you around congestion and cars help you avoid accidents. Cities will get the tools they need to cut down on or eliminate congestion - good news for commuters who'll save time and trips to the gas pump.
• Communication: That phone in your pocket will become your personal concierge, enable real-time sharing of experiences with your friends - even find you the best deal on an outfit that you just imaged on your phone's camera or where it's located in the store.
• Medicine: Innovations in medical imaging, records and analysis will start delivering better diagnoses, faster and with more accuracy. So when you go into the doctor's office with a chest pain, the doctor can click on the heart of a 3D image - Avatar - and see all of your relevant medical history as well as resources that show the most likely diagnosis.
• What we eat: Ever wonder about the make up, history, safety and nutrition of the food you eat? You'll wonder no more as next-gen barcodes, RFID tags, special sensors, and wireless technologies give you immediate access to just about anything you want to know - including its potential impact on your waistline.