Futuristic Technology in Old Movies That Exists Now

When old sci-fi movies like “Star Wars” and “Star Trek” first came out, the advanced technology featured in the films seemed like things that would only exist in a very distant future. Well, it turns out that the future is now. As technology has advanced at a rapid pace, many high-tech gadgets and appliances featured in the films currently exist today. Here is a list of futuristic technology in old movies that exists now.

Mobile Phones

Mobile phones are one of the most widely used types of technology in existence. Many people today can’t imagine their lives without being able to reach into their pocket and make a call or find the answer to a question. Prior to 1973, however, mobile phones only existed in prophetic sci-fi films such as “Star Trek”—which featured a device that had an eerily similar design to a modern-day flip-phone.

Video Calls

Many years before Skype or FaceTime existed, video calls were featured in movies such as “2001: A Space Odyssey,” which came out in 1968, or “Back to the Future,” which came out in 1985. Today, it is common to simply take out one’s phone, press a button, and immediately have a face-to-face conversation with someone hundreds or thousands of miles away. When these movies were made, however, video calls were merely an outlandish futuristic concept.

Robot Security Guards

If it’s always been your dream to befriend a droid, now is your chance. Currently, advanced security measures in the form of unmanned robot security guards are being implemented in a wide variety of industries. These mobile surveillance machines often act as a replacement for human guards in areas that would be unfit or unsafe. While these robots aren’t quite as conversational as droids in sci-fi movies, Uber’s new K5 security robot does bear an uncanny resemblance to R2D2 from the “Star Wars” movie franchise.

Home Automation

Another example of futuristic technology in old movies that exists now is smart homes. Home automation, in which a house is equipped with automated intelligence, has been featured in several films—from Disney’s “Smart House,” which came out in 1999, to the film “Demon Seed,” which premiered in 1977. Today, smart homes are more than just a figment of a screenwriter’s imaginations. Now, it is becoming increasingly common to equip one’s home with automation systems that monitor or control various aspects of the household such as lighting, appliances, or security.