Definition of state-of-the-art (or advanced) technology

Technology is the knowledge to make objects that satisfy human needs. Result objects are also considered technology.

Breakthrough technology is any technology that was recently invented and is advanced. That is to say, it supposes an innovation to the products that already exist. Also called: top technology in Spain, cutting-edge technology, cutting-edge technology or advanced technology.

In general, the most advanced technology is usually found in laboratories, in the research and development stages, in the form of prototypes.

After completing the testing stages, the product is offered to the market. At first, at high prices (especially for techies); over time it tends to become cheaper and, at the same time, ceasing to be «top of the line».

Over time, cutting-edge technology is replaced by better technologies, eventually being considered obsolete technology.

Use and abuse of the concept of state-of-the-art technology

In any case, «cutting-edge technology» is more of an advertising term, generally to encourage the purchase of said technology or to promote it. There is no method to classify exactly what is considered cutting-edge technology.

Sometimes cutting-edge technology is associated with new words (technical terms) that are unknown or confusing to ordinary people. Sometimes companies take advantage of this lack of knowledge to promote products, showing them to be superior to others, even though this is not really the case.

An example of this was the war of megahertz (MHz) numbers that Intel, AMD and other microprocessors were promoted with in the 1990s and 2000s. Since the numbers are easy for everyone to compare, the higher the number of MHz The faster a microprocessor was, and therefore better than the competition. The reality is that there are microprocessors that, with less MHz, process more data (they are more efficient), so more MHz do not always indicate superior performance.

Characteristics of state-of-the-art technology

To be considered as such, state-of-the-art technology must meet certain properties:

* Be advanced, that is, suppose an innovation with respect to the technologies that already exist.

* It does not necessarily have to be the best in its field, but it must stand out.

* It is expensive; There is hardly any cutting-edge technology that is cheap.

* True cutting-edge technology is not usually found on the market for mass consumption at first; Usually, by the time a new technology hits the market, the technology that will outperform it is already being tested in labs.

* In general, the current trend associates state-of-the-art technology with technology that is more ecological, less polluting and consumes fewer resources and energy.

Future of cutting edge technologies

At present, the design of technologies is oriented towards saving resources (materials and energy) and the use of fewer components that pollute.

It is difficult for a technology to be considered «state-of-the-art» if it pollutes more than a previous technology.

The trend is also to miniaturize technology, probably the future of cutting-edge technologies lies in nanotechnology.

Drawing of a prototype of a cyberdog

Factors that impede or not access to state-of-the-art technology

There are several factors that favor or not the obtaining of the cutting-edge technology of a certain moment. Some of the factors are as follows:

– Economic factors: state-of-the-art technology is usually expensive, therefore those who have more economic resources can access it.

– Geographical and political factors: in general, cutting-edge technology tends to be distributed first in certain more privileged areas of the world, not only for economic reasons, but also geographical, political, agreements, etc.

– Technical and structural factors: sometimes the use of cutting-edge technology requires other prior technologies that allow its use. Therefore, someone who does not have this prior technology cannot access cutting-edge technology. For example, installing a high-speed telephone network allows the use of the latest generation of smartphones.

– Educational or training factors: certain state-of-the-art technologies require certain knowledge to use them. If these are lacking, such technology cannot be obtained or used.

– Patents: patents on new technologies sometimes prevent others from using those technologies without paying the patents.

– Military or similar secrets: The military technological secrets of a government, by definition, are state-of-the-art technologies that cannot be obtained by other governments.

Related:
technology
Technophilia
obsolete technology
nanotechnology

Quote the definition:
Alegsa.com.ar (2016). cutting edge technology definition – ALEGSA 2016-07-05 url: https:///Dec/tecnologia de punta.php