Mature technology: Difference between revisions
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Examples of mature technologies are: |
Examples of mature technologies are: |
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*[[Farming]] |
*[[Farming]] most advances are in slight improvements of the breed or reduction of pests. It's purpose or use is unlikely to change. A radical change would be [[In vitro meat]] where meat is grown in a laboratory. |
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*[[Motor vehicle]] |
*[[Motor vehicle]] cars are widely used by non experts, and many improvements are from changes in material or slight modifications. However, there is a great deal of original research into ways to make cheap environmentally friendly cars, including [[electric cars]] and hydrogen cells, and in cars controlled by artificial intelligence rather than humans, offering a chance for a radical change in usage. |
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*[[Telephone]] |
*[[Telephone]] there are some improvements to be made in using fiber optics to carry signals, as they are cheaper than wires, but no major changes. One major area of technological innovation, [[mobile phones]], is now a separate technological field. |
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Examples of technologies not yet fully mature are: |
Examples of technologies not yet fully mature are: |
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Revision as of 01:27, 13 October 2008
A mature technology is a technology that has been in use for long enough (for years or more likely decades or longer) that most of its initial faults and inherent problems have been removed or reduced by further development. In some contexts, it may also refer to technology which has not seen widespread use, but whose scientific background is well understood.[1]
One of the key indicators of a mature technology is the ease of use for both non-experts and professionals. Another indicator is a reduction in the rate of new breakthrough advances related to it - whereas inventions related to a (popular) immature technology are usually rapid and diverse,[2] and may change the whole use paradigm - advances to a mature technology are usually incremental improvements only.
Examples
Examples of mature technologies are:
- Farming most advances are in slight improvements of the breed or reduction of pests. It's purpose or use is unlikely to change. A radical change would be In vitro meat where meat is grown in a laboratory.
- Motor vehicle cars are widely used by non experts, and many improvements are from changes in material or slight modifications. However, there is a great deal of original research into ways to make cheap environmentally friendly cars, including electric cars and hydrogen cells, and in cars controlled by artificial intelligence rather than humans, offering a chance for a radical change in usage.
- Telephone there are some improvements to be made in using fiber optics to carry signals, as they are cheaper than wires, but no major changes. One major area of technological innovation, mobile phones, is now a separate technological field.
Examples of technologies not yet fully mature are:
- Internet, with still partly conflicting technological standards[3]
- Computers (becoming more mature due to advances in user-friendly operating systems)
- Economic models (still showing high failure rates in economic prediction)
Examples of immature (as of 2008) technologies are:
- Nanotechnology, actual industrial applications limited so far
- Manned space flight, limited, failure-prone and uneconomic
- Quantum computers, so far mostly a theoretical concept
See also
References
- ^ Defining mature technology (in the sustainability and security of energy supply and utilization) (from a RBAEF memo, Dartmouth College, Tuesday 04 December 2003)
- ^ How technologies evolve (from an OECD and IEA information paper, 2003)
- ^ The Status and Importance of Web Services (from the registrysolutions.co.uk website)
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