Spectacles that help you talk to your office computer, smart cards that contain a children's cartoon for TV and microchips that can help you think better or monitor your heartbeat are examples of possible future technologies highlighted at a special seminar in Sydney yesterday.

The panel of people involved in the creation of new technology discussed the technology that we will use in the new millenium.

"We gathered this panel together because we wanted to talk about how technology impacts on us and how to design future technologies that are both what people need and are enjoyable to use," says CSIRO scientist Dr Cécile Paris, who chaired the seminar.

"Technology moves so fast," Dr Paris says. "Who would have thought, twenty years ago, that more than six million Australians today would carry personal telephones with them everywhere they go? Or that some of these 'mobile phones' could send messages anywhere in the world via something called Internet".

Panellists included Ben Joseph of IBM Consulting Group, Ann Moffat from Technology Solutions, Phil Robertson from Canon Information Systems Research Australia, Jean-Denis Gingras from Lanterna Magica and Craig Lindley from CSIRO.

The theme of the discussion was "What will be in your handbag or pocket in 2020?"

Ann Moffat, Managing Director of Technology Solutions, says the only thing she would have in her pocket would be a handkerchief, but that she would have microchip implants under her skin that would help her think better.

"As well as helping me think, they would carry data about my health so the chemist shop could give me the correct pharmaceuticals, and they'd monitor UV and pollutant levels so I would know when to stay indoors. A microchip will be in my electronic purse, too," she says.

"I won't need a passport because the microchip will tell Customs who I am but it will be easier for the police to fine me if I drive through a red light."

Phil Robertson, General Manager of Research at Canon Information Systems Research Australia, thinks he'll have smart cards in his pocket.

"Cards have a long history because people are comfortable with them," he said. "We've had playing cards, fortune tellers' cards, ration cards, Pokemon cards, business cards, and now smart cards."

"I see smart cards in the future as being 'human interaction tokens' that give us access to computer networks, information booths and credit. Many of today's security problems will have been solved with biometric sensors on the smart card for fingerprints or retinal scans preventing anyone else from using your card."

"Some types of cards would be for more one-off use – holding information like a restaurant guide or a cartoon clip for watching on TV".

Jean-Denis Gingras of Lanterna Magica pointed out that science fiction movies invariably show people in the future without pockets! However, he thinks we'll have a personal device like intelligent spectacles or a mobile phone that responds to our voice and communicates through impressive graphics.

"Such devices may even be able to respond to our thoughts", he said. "Mental icons will inform the device that we are telling it to do something and what we want it to do".

The panel also discussed issues such as how technology affects our working hours, privacy and quality of social interaction; who decides which technologies are developed; and how much responsibility technology developers should have in how their technology is finally used.

The audience included researchers and technology specialists from universities, private companies and research institutes.

More information:

Dr Cécile Paris, CSIRO, 02 9325 3100, mob: 0408 792 791
E-mail Cécile.Paris@cmis.csiro.au

Ann Moffat, Technology Solutions, 02 9373 2704 M: 0411 247 164

Phil Robertson, Canon Information Systems Research Australia
02 9805 2853 M:0419 215 712

Jean-Denis Gingras, Lanterna Magica
02 9904 4076 M: 0417 465 049

Ben Joseph, IBM Consulting Group, M: 0412 265 548