4 Accurate Predictions By Back To The Future

by Alex Robinson

Released in 1985, Back to the Future was directed by Robert Zemeckis and transported its ardent audiences through time and adventure. 

In addition to this, the movie has also surprisingly dabbled in future predictions. In this blog, we will revisit this cinematic masterpiece to discover the remarkable accuracy with which it forecasted certain technological advancements and societal shifts. 

back to the future doc and marty

 From hoverboards and wearable technology to video communication and fingerprint recognition, Back to the Future presented a glimpse into a future that seemed far-fetched at the time but has remarkably come to fruition. 

With technological advancements, parallels can be drawn between the fictional Hill Valley of 2015 and our contemporary world. While not every prediction has come true, the film's ability to envision and inspire innovation remains a testament to its enduring impact. 

Let’s explore these predictions!

1. Rise of Wearable Technology

marty mcfly glasses

In the film Back to the Future, characters are seen sporting futuristic glasses and wearable gadgets that allow them to communicate and access information effortlessly. 

Fast forward to the present-day 2023 and this is our reality. The rise of wearable technology has transformed the way we interact with the digital world. At present, we have smartwatches, fitness trackers and augmented reality glasses that have revolutionised the way we interact with technology by providing real-time data and enhancing our overall experiences.

From tracking our health and fitness to being alerted and receiving notifications and messages, wearable technology has seamlessly integrated into our lives, confirming the movie's prescient vision. 

With the continuous advancement of technology, wearable devices are set to play a significant role in our lives, ushering us into a new era of personalised and immersive digital experiences.

2. Adoption of Video Communication

back to the future video conferencing

Back to the Future famously predicted the widespread adoption of video communication. In one of the scenes of the movie, Marty McFly converses with his boss with the help of a video call, a concept that was cutting-edge and futuristic at the time. 

Back to the Future showcased video calls as a commonplace mode of communication in 2015, a concept that felt light-years away in the year 1980.

Today, video conferencing platforms such as Zoom and Skype have become indispensable tools for communication, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic, where virtual meetings bridged the physical divide and kept us connected for professional and personal usage. 

Today, video calls have become a fundamental part of our social and professional interactions, proving that Back to the Future was eerily accurate in predicting this technological advancement.

3. Emergence of Biometric Identification

back to the future biometric identification

In the movie Back to the Future II, the director showcased a world where fingerprints were commonly used as a means of identification. Whilst it may have been hard to understand back then, this is our reality now. 

Fast forward to today and biometric identification systems are becoming increasingly common. Smartphones and laptops now feature fingerprint sensors and facial recognition technology to unlock devices and ensure secure access. 

Biometric authentication has significantly enhanced data security and user convenience, thereby eliminating the need for cumbersome passwords. While the movie's vision of thumbprint-based entryways was seen as futuristic, it is now a practical application, reaffirming the film's visionary status.

4. Paving The Path For Drone Technology

back to the future drone dog walking

In the Back To The Future movie, we see drones delivering mail and walking dogs, something that was regarded as unrealistic and hard to believe. 

Although drones are not yet commonplace in our daily lives for these specific purposes, they have indeed emerged as transformative tools in various industries. Today, drones are extensively employed in aerial photography, surveying, agriculture and even package deliveries in certain regions. 

For instance, companies like Amazon and Google have been experimenting with drone delivery services, thereby bringing us closer to the day when we might witness Marty McFly's futuristic mailman drone zooming past the skyline. 

As we celebrate Back to the Future Day, we are reminded that the line between fiction and reality blurs and the future we envision has a way of shaping the world we live in today.

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