Amazing "prediction"? (1 Viewer)

[Rutledge]

I was recently reading a report on coming technology innovations. There is some incredible stuff in the works - across all areas - biotech, infotech, clean energy, etc. Sadly, toy soldiers were not mentioned.

The two technologies that received the most coverage were nanotech and robotics. Both have thus far fallen short of delivering what has been predicted -- clearly, we are still a long way from the world of "I, Robot".

But, and stay with me here, what if....in the not too distant future, these technologies could be harnessed for somewhat more mundane purposes than has been envisioned by their proponets.

Imagine that, if instead of buying "static" figures as we do now, "dymanic" figures were available (at reasonable cost). These figures could move and reposition themselves based on your (digital) commands. Their neck, back, arms and legs would be comprised of flexible but solid materials that can bend and balance themselves (ala the segway).

These would not be plastic dolls that need to be dressed and manipulated by hand, or tanks that are remote controlled. Rather, they would be malleable figures comprised of nanotech materials and inserted with microchips that can be reprogrammed and reconfigured however you like. They would still need to be painted and outiftted with the apporpriate garb.

The movie "Small soldiers" sort of addressed my idea from a negative perspective. But Im not talking about independent thinking/acting figures. My idea would essentially be creating very life-like toy "robot" soldiers. Just imagine being able to select what pose your figures take -- and then being able to change it the next day.

Very far fetched, right now, Im sure. But who knows what might happen down the road....

 

[marco55]

That is a great idea.You wouldn't even have to buy large amounts of figures if you like to do small vignettes/dioramas.
Mark

 

[kreddy]

Are you talking about something more than like a R/C G.I. Joe?
Man, regular metal toy soldiers are already expensive enough!!

 

[FirstLegion]

I was recently reading a report on coming technology innovations. There is some incredible stuff in the works - across all areas - biotech, infotech, clean energy, etc. Sadly, toy soldiers were not mentioned.

The two technologies that received the most coverage were nanotech and robotics. Both have thus far fallen short of delivering what has been predicted -- clearly, we are still a long way from the world of "I, Robot".

But, and stay with me here, what if....in the not too distant future, these technologies could be harnessed for somewhat more mundane purposes than has been envisioned by their proponets.

Imagine that, if instead of buying "static" figures as we do now, "dymanic" figures were available (at reasonable cost). These figures could move and reposition themselves based on your (digital) commands. Their neck, back, arms and legs would be comprised of flexible but solid materials that can bend and balance themselves (ala the segway).

These would not be plastic dolls that need to be dressed and manipulated by hand, or tanks that are remote controlled. Rather, they would be malleable figures comprised of nanotech materials and inserted with microchips that can be reprogrammed and reconfigured however you like. They would still need to be painted and outiftted with the apporpriate garb.

The movie "Small soldiers" sort of addressed my idea from a negative perspective. But Im not talking about independent thinking/acting figures. My idea would essentially be creating very life-like toy "robot" soldiers. Just imagine being able to select what pose your figures take -- and then being able to change it the next day.

Very far fetched, right now, Im sure. But who knows what might happen down the road....

Actually, two guys from BT did a set of predictions in 2005 called the Technology Timeline that does specifically address toy soldiers in two entries.....

"Toy Soldiers with Video Camera Eyes enrich play" - 2008-2012.
"Real Toy Soldiers using Nano-Technology" - 2030's

It's a very iteresting list, some of which has already happened much earlier than predicted while others, most likely including the above unfortunately, are probably being predicted too early....

BT Technology Timeline

There is both an interactive and static PDF Version. I came cross this when it was first released five years ago and it's really quite interesting.

Of course, I can already hear it now on Treefrog 2042....

"Make sure you have adequate ventilation when you use your Napoleonics because the musket smoke really fills the room up after awhile. Further, I suspect a programming error with Russian Marshal Kutusov as the vodka in the liquor cabinet seems to be disappearing along with a pastrami sandwich I had in the fridge. When I bought him, he weighed 4 ounces, now he seems to be a bit heavier. Be sure to keep Murat away from your Cleopatra and make sure you configure your Patton to the "child friendly" setting or keep the volume down if your kids are around. What a mouth on him. Oh, and keep him away from Montgomery. I've had to separate them on more than one occasion. Finally, always keep Napoleon boxed. He's tried to invade the living room several times now."

 

[Rutledge]

Of course, I can already hear it now on Treefrog 2042....

"Make sure you have adequate ventilation when you use your Napoleonics because the musket smoke really fills the room up after awhile. Further, I suspect a programming error with Russian Marshal Kutusov as the vodka in the liquor cabinet seems to be disappearing along with a pastrami sandwich I had in the fridge. When I bought him, he weighed 4 ounces, now he seems to be a bit heavier. Be sure to keep Murat away from your Cleopatra and make sure you configure your Patton to the "child friendly" setting or keep the volume down if your kids are around. What a mouth on him. Oh, and keep him away from Montgomery. I've had to separate them on more than one occasion. Finally, always keep Napoleon boxed. He's tried to invade the living room several times now."

Good job Matt! haha Also, think how much easier it would make life for George (of Minuteman). Instead of having to pack everything up for shows, he could just program the figures to march where he wants and arrange themselves before he arrives. Of course French soldiers would come packaged with white flags handy (only kidding). And I suspect the female figures would experience a surge in popularity....but this is a family site, so......

Seriously though, isnt it fun to think about what could be. Many relatively common things now (i.e., wireless personal phones) were seen as fantastic ideas not that long ago. 100 years from now static metal toy soldiers may seem as "old timey" as unpainted plastic now. Whatever happens, it will definitely be interesting.

 

[FirstLegion]

Good job Matt! haha Also, think how much easier it would make life for George (of Minuteman). Instead of having to pack everything up for shows, he could just program the figures to march where he wants and arrange themselves before he arrives.

George wouldn't go to shows, robo-George would go do the shows.

Seriously, though, the possibilities are pretty well endless. Of course, by the time toy soldiers can walk and drive their tanks around, someone will have invented the holodeck which will be serious competition for leisure time...I leave it to you all to ponder the endless possibilities of that one...

 

[Warrior]

Good job Matt! haha Also, think how much easier it would make life for George (of Minuteman). Instead of having to pack everything up for shows, he could just program the figures to march where he wants and arrange themselves before he arrives. Of course French soldiers would come packaged with white flags handy (only kidding). And I suspect the female figures would experience a surge in popularity....but this is a family site, so......

Seriously though, isnt it fun to think about what could be. Many relatively common things now (i.e., wireless personal phones) were seen as fantastic ideas not that long ago. 100 years from now static metal toy soldiers may seem as "old timey" as unpainted plastic now. Whatever happens, it will definitely be interesting.

Actually, for me half the fun with shows is setting up the displays; I always try new and different things at each and every show, always trying to one up myself.


The other half of the fun is packing up after the show and having a lot less to pack, as in today for example at the New Jersey Toy Soldier show, so thanks to everyone who stopped by and spent they hard earned dough with me, I really appreciate it.

First thing tomorrow, I've got to unload the van, pack and ship orders, then repack the van on Tuesday and head out for the big Cold Wars wargaming show in Lancaster next weekend, good times................

 

[Warrior]

George wouldn't go to shows, robo-George would go do the shows.

I'm kinda liking this idea.................nah, the shows are way too much fun not to attend in the flesh.

 

[lancer]

This whole idea seems kind of dangerous to me. One could come home from a day out to find that the German Army has conquered the rest of the collection. Can you imagine the chaos? Burning tanks, ruined furniture, all the casualty figures anyone could want? No, I just see this future as a big pain in the a**. More room would be needed just to quarter all the antagonists in different rooms. Give me good, old, metal (ie. static) figures anytime. -- Al

 

[marco55]

[Seriously, though, the possibilities are pretty well endless. Of course, by the time toy soldiers can walk and drive their tanks around, someone will have invented the holodeck which will be serious competition for leisure time...I leave it to you all to ponder the endless possibilities of that one...[/QUOTE]

I don't know if I would ever leave.
Mark