Cell phones under our skin: Martin Cooper's bold future vision
Martin Cooper, often referred to as the "father of cell phones," recently shared his vision for the future development of these devices. According to his predictions, phones may eventually become an integral part of our bodies, as we will implant them under our skin in the future.
Martin Cooper is the person to whom we owe the ability to use modern smartphones. It was Cooper who authored the patent for the "cellular telephone system", created the first mobile phone, and nearly half a century ago made the first mobile voice call. On April 3, 1973, Cooper contacted his rival, Joel Engel, using a portable phone.
During a meeting in Barcelona at MWC 2023, where leading manufacturers presented the latest smartphone models, Cooper was honoured for his achievements in telecommunications, marking the 50th anniversary of the first mobile call. Taking advantage of the occasion, Cooper shared his predictions about the future of phones.
What will the phone of the future be like?
While some speculated that smartwatches would replace traditional phones, and others suggested augmented reality glasses, Cooper presented a bolder vision at MWC 2023. He is convinced that future generations will wear phones as part of the body, implanted under the skin near the ears.
Martin Cooper admits that he never envisioned that cell phones could serve as cameras or encyclopedias. While appreciating technological development, he notes that today's devices still have their limitations. Modern phones require holding them to the head or using additional accessories like headphones, which can be inconvenient. An implanted phone could solve these problems, using the energy generated by the human body for its operation. "When you eat something, your body processes it into energy," remarks Cooper.
Cooper presented his intriguing vision
Although Cooper's vision is quite bold, it is not unrealistic. Some companies are already working on chips to implant under the skin and solutions that integrate the brain with a computer. Technology is moving towards reducing the number of devices we need to carry with us, and Cooper's ideas fit into this trend.
Cooper also notes concerns related to smartphone addiction and loss of privacy. However, he remains optimistic and believes that society can find a better balance in using technology.
