Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,592 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,086 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,086 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,210 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,592 cutting edge ideas.

Real-Life Star Wars Gadgets

Australian National University Turns Tractor Beam into Reality

— September 9, 2010 — Tech
Researchers at The Australian National University have succeeded in generating a working tractor beam which is straight out of the classic sci-fi movie Star Wars.

Using only the power of light, the researchers moved tiny particles a distance of 1.5 metres. So what's the big deal? It is only 1.5 metres right? The experiment was limited by the size of the optical table available, according to Professor Andrei Rhodes. He fully expects that at this stage they could realistically move particles up to 10 metres if they had the right environment.

Ten metres is already starting to sound a lot more interesting for mainstream applications, not to mention gadgets!

The full report on the experiment will be released online in ScienceWise on September 23rd, so until then you can watch an illustration of laser tweezers which will help you visualize similar technology which has already been developed on a smaller scale.

Star Wars has 'inspired' many modern gadgets which would have once upon a time been considered possible only in sci-fi movies. A tractor beam definately falls into that category. Of course, the commercial application of this technology is a long way off, but the fact that it exists presents mind-blowing possibilities for the future.
Trend Themes
1. Tractor Beam Technology - The development of tractor beam technology using the power of light creates opportunities for innovation in fields such as materials handling and particle manipulation.
2. Mainstream Applications of Tractor Beams - As researchers move particles up to 10 metres using tractor beams, there are exciting opportunities for innovation in fields such as package delivery and automated warehouse systems.
3. Sci-fi-inspired Technology - The success of creating a real-life tractor beam technology based on a sci-fi concept opens up possibilities for creative innovation in entertainment, gaming, and simulation industries.
Industry Implications
1. Materials Handling Industry - Tractor beam technology can revolutionize the materials handling industry by providing a non-contact and precise method of moving materials, reducing damage and increasing efficiency.
2. Logistics and Delivery Industry - Tractor beam technology can potentially make package delivery faster and more efficient by allowing objects to be transported without physical contact and reducing the need for manual labor.
3. Entertainment and Gaming Industry - Tractor beam technology creates opportunities for immersive entertainment experiences, such as simulation rides and interactive exhibits, inspired by the science fiction genre.
3.4
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness