Definition of Cutting-Edge Technology

The concept of cutting-edge technology (or cutting-edge technology, or high technology) is something ethereal or that each one defines in their own way, so we will try to define a little what exactly it is about.

State-of-the-art technology can be defined as devices or materials of any kind that incorporate the latest technology developed to date in their field, whether or not it has been commercialized.

In this sense, and despite the fact that many of us are convinced that we have state-of-the-art technology in the palm of our hands thanks to our smartphonewe must be aware that this, in reality, will still be hidden and safe in a design office in Cupertino, Mountain View, South Korea, or in a factory in China.

We can also be tempted to assign cutting-edge technology to the field of space research, but many times satellites and rockets work with technology developed long ago, along with true cutting-edge technology.

Should cutting-edge technology have already been commercially applied, or can we consider that which is still in the testing phase before being implemented in specific devices and launched on the market? Again, the answer to this question depends on subjectivity.

One of the fields that traditionally -and unfortunately- has pushed cutting-edge technology the most is the military. Wars of any moment have pushed existing technology to its limits, exceeding them more than once.

In the last century this has been especially true, since the world in 1914 at the start of World War I was devoid of many of the developments that applied to European battlefields until 1918, let alone the 1939/45 period.

Fortunately, the thirst for death that seems innate in humans as a species cannot be categorized as exclusively responsible for scientific development and technological achievements, and in fact many weapons technologies have been developed based on discoveries and advances that the simple curious mind of many people have put on the table.

We currently associate the idea of ​​state-of-the-art technology with microelectronics in all its meanings.

In areas such as computing, home automation, communications (both by cable but -and above all- also wireless), or robotics is where we can identify a greater use of cutting-edge technologies, and those that our mind most associates with this concept.

Point and separate deserve true artificial intelligence, nanotechnology, biotechnology or certain applications of aerospace technology, which for many would enter the realm of science fiction, but which are real technologies that are being developed today.

Thus, we must conclude that the expression “state-of-the-art technology” is defined by each one as well understood, with common denominator elements, but that it varies from person to person, generally coinciding in the fields of application.

Photos: Fotolia – Dmytro Tolokonov / Malchev

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