Only a couple decades ago, the word “tech” conjured up visions of IT departments and noisy server rooms. Now, tech has taken over everyday life, making processes easier. In fact, most of us rely on tons of tech daily, from the time our smartphone’s alarm feature warbles us awake.
Of course, some industries are getting more of a bump from tech than others. Below are a few areas where tech is serving as a revolutionary—and perhaps even evolutionary—force.
1. Sustainable transportation
People around the world have voiced concerns for years about the need for eco-friendlier transportation. Their calls for action have spurred brands like Tesla to think outside the box when designing vehicles. However, many consumers want to avoid using cars and buses whenever possible by leveraging pedal power.
There’s an issue, though: Bicycles may be green by nature, but they require human energy. Not everyone has the stamina or even ability to cruise 10 miles to work and back on a daily basis. That’s where electric bike (E-bike) options come into the picture.
E-bikes utilize high tech in the form of an electricity-powered motor that assists with pedaling up to specific speeds. As the rider pedals, the motor sends power behind each push. Yes, e-bike motors use electricity and must be recharged. Still, they require far fewer fossil fuels than are needed to run a car or SUV.
2. Warehouse work
Anyone who has ever worked in a warehouse knows how repetitive tasks can be. Fetching items. Restocking shelves. Monitoring conveyor belts. Thank goodness tech’s arrived to remove redundancies and allow employees to focus on higher level functions.
Tech has taken over lots of warehouses in the form of robot devices. The devices can be programmed to find objects and bring them quickly to human workers. In addition, robots can send alerts to procurement specialists when stock or materials run low.
By removing some of the more arduous tasks from warehousing, robot-type tech frees up employees to get more done. And wearable tech may even end up keeping warehouse staffers healthier by identifying potentially harmful repetitive or unhealthy motions.
3. Employee safety
Workers’ compensation attorneys know just how common workplace injuries can be, especially in specific fields. For instance, people working in constructing or mining are more likely to get hurt on the job.
Tech can make work sites less dangerous through the use of devices and machinery that goes where humans shouldn’t. For instance, many companies have explored sending drones into risky places. Drones are impervious to getting injured, making them the perfect answer for radioactive areas or natural disaster scenes.
Like all tech, drones require an upfront investment. It’s not inexpensive to own and operate one or more top-flight drones. Nevertheless, losing a drone pales in comparison with losing a worker, making this an excellent use of forward-thinking tech.
4. Agriculture and farming
The image of the late 19th century or early 20th century farm makes a great backdrop for films and TV shows. But it doesn’t hold up against the realities of modern, fast-paced agribusinesses. Many agriculture experts bank on high tech software and tools to help them grow better, stronger, and more prolific crops. Some farming employees even carry college degrees from agricultural education powerhouses known for their tech curriculum.
One type of tech that’s been a boon to leading agriculture businesses around the world is the installation of sensors. The sensors send information back to a computer system. Once the data’s been analyzed, it can be used to help the farmer get more precise with farming decisions.
Tech has applications in nearly all parts of commercial agribusiness, from livestock tracking to pest management. In fact, some would argue that without tech, farms wouldn’t be able to deliver as much output to consumers. With more than seven billion people on the planet, that could lead to major hardship.
5. Tourism and travel
It’s not exactly a secret that newer tech tools enabled a major disruption in the travel industry. For example, Airbnb completely upended the way travelers thought about where to stay and how to book their experience. And the only way Airbnb was able to compete with legacy establishments like Hilton was by cleverly utilizing superior tech.
At this point, the tourism playing field has been leveled like never before. Almost anyone can offer up renovated in-law quarters or climate-controlled treehouses to strangers looking for a place to stay. No longer do consumers feel locked into the mundane, predictable world of hotels.
With the advent of apps and contactless payment systems, tourism is likely to keep morphing and growing thanks to tech. At some point, augmented and virtual realities may take deciding where to visit next to a new level. To be sure, this is one field that’s ripe for yet another tech takeover, especially after pandemic worries pass.
6. Banking and finance
What would it be like if you could trade like the pros? Or manage a global portfolio from your phone? Just about anything’s possible, right down to buying cryptocurrency. That’s because tech’s infiltrated money management from all sides.
No longer are consumers relegated to only getting car loans, business loans, or mortgages from their hometown banks. Instead, they can conduct fast Google searches and find the best high-yield sales accounts or CDs. This has helped lower the bar to entry for many people who want to grow their wealth. At this point, tech has even made it possible for people to scan checks from their devices.
Will this mean the end of the brick-and-mortar financial institution? Maybe not for some person-to-person interactions. However, banks and credit unions may face a reckoning of sorts. With tech making it simpler to avoid the drive-through, a new money exchange model may be on the horizon.
It’s safe to say that most industries will be touched by tech, if they haven’t already. However, tech isn’t something to fear. Rather, it’s a valuable tool that can help humans reach potentials they might never have considered in generations past.