Back to the Future: UT Austin Researchers Make Futuristic Innovations Reality
It’s October 21, 2015 — Back to the Future Day!
“Back to the Future II” predicted many things for 2015. Some have panned out, and others… not so much.
From biofuels that power cars to a body scanner that lets retails send perfectly fitting clothes, check out how The University of Texas at Austin is working on projects you may recognize from “Back to the Future II,” as reported by KXAN.
In The Daily Texan, students Charles Liu and Alex Pelham discuss some parts of the movie that are already reality or are on-track to happen, from how we’re nostalgic for previous decades and use advancements in technology to the hoverboard, flying cars and the success of real-life sports teams.
And, here are a few of the predictions that UT Austin researchers from the College of Natural Sciences, are working on:
In 2015 in “Back to the Future II" people can press a button on a jacket to make it fit better.
In 2015, UT Austin scientists in the Department of Textiles and Apparel are working on a precise body-scanner that will let retailers send perfectly fitting clothes.
In 2015 in “Back to the Future II" robots help walk dogs and seat people at restaurants.
In 2015, UT Austin scientists in Computer Science teach robots to navigate buildings and maybe eventually lead tours.
In 2015 in “Back to the Future II" banana peels and food waste power a flying car.
In 2015, UT Austin scientists in the Department of Integrative Biology are making biofuels out of switchgrass.
In 2015 in “Back to the Future II" a food hydrator makes pizza out of a dehydrated packet.
In 2015, UT Austin scientists in the School of Human Ecology host an annual Food Innovation Contest for cutting-edge food science.
Illustration by Amber Perry for The Daily Texan
