`Robots to conduct surgeries by 2018`

The batteries in mobile phones will last for as long as two months with a one-time charge by 2012. Information technology will evolve into a level that one can detect coffee aromas on the internet by 2015. Robots might well conduct simple surgical operations by 2018. These predictions come from head of the Information Ministry`s IT Policy Division, Yoo Pil-gye.

The "Technology Foresight 2020" booklet contains some of the best-case scenarios. For instance, the identification of a person, if he or she happens to bump into a car and lose consciousness, will be immediately known by the look of the eye (iris). The person will be carried into an emergency room and family members will be notified of the patient`s status through a nationwide integrated medical system. Hospitals` treatment histories would also be known in a very short time via the nationwide hospital system.

If diagnosed as having myocardial infarction, the patient will be redirected to a heart surgeon via a remote treatment system. A micro robot designed for cardiovascular treatment will conduct surgical operations under the doctor`s remote direction.

Other scenarios include three-dimensional eye glasses that one can wear to view a sight which will directly be made as a video clip file and relayed onto his own internet blog, and a network system that can notify one`s health status.

Previous studies have offered insight into future science technology trends, but it is the first time that the government has conducted a survey, released data on the future IT trends.

The project was primarily led by the Institute for Information Technology Advancement, which focuses on planning, management and the evaluation of IT research and development. Nearly 3,500 researchers from the industry, academia and research centers have participated in the project.

The researchers came up with a total of 365 technology needs ranging from digital content to platforms, networks, devices and service convergence.

Out of them, 52 were chosen as core technologies that should immediately be developed and rolled out, based on a set of criteria including technological relevance, time-to-market period, technological complexity and who will spearhead their development.

The ministry said about 76 percent of the 52 core technologies are expected to be developed by 2011, and about 75 percent of the 52 will be delivered to the market by 2013.

There is an average time gap of 2.1 years between technology development and market commercialization.

"The nation`s level of technology advancement manages to remain in the upper 30 percent range compared to that of advanced countries. This shows Korea should further expand its research and development spending," an official said.

The nation excelled in the networks field, with an index of 85.1 out of 100, but lagged behind in the IT service convergence sector with a 61.7 score.

"This clearly means we need to enhance our technology level in IT, biotechnology, nanotechnology as well as IT-based medicine, IT-based architecture and IT-based national defense. We need wise, well-balanced R&D strategies based on timely forecasts and proper consumer analyses," he said.

The ministry said the result of the research would be reflected on the government`s next IT development roadmap, and it will conduct regular technology forecasts every two years.

(stephanie@heraldm.com)



By Hwang Si-young