Stylish watches and stunning clocks have captured fascination for centuries. People always want to know what time it is, so the evolution of timekeepers likely won’t stop any time soon. If you love all things timekeeping, reading about the latest inventions could inspire the next phase in your clock collection.
The age of grandfather clocks was iconic, but there are many other ways to understand time. Browsing the timekeepers changing the world could also indicate where the industry is going.
1. Quantum Clock Technology
Accuracy is everything when you’re telling time, but clocks eventually slow down as they age. Consider how often you’ve replaced the batteries in a clock on your wall. Researchers from the University of Tokyo found a way to prevent that.
Their quantum clocks measure energy transitions with strontium atoms, so they’ll only slow by one second every 300 million years. You don’t need to understand quantum physics to appreciate how people living 200 million years from now could be using the same time mechanisms you are today.
2. Wi-Fi Connected Clocks
The internet changed the world in numerous ways. Timekeeping adapted with it, too. Innovators connected clocks to Wi-Fi networks in 2014, powering them with local building connections or batteries.
They ensure better accuracy than standard battery-powered clocks because they synchronize with an NTP internet time server. Every Wi-Fi timekeeper ticks simultaneously, which is helpful for people coordinating with others across time zones.
3. Solar-Powered Timekeepers
Modern technology makes solar panels possible in all sizes. People use them to cook food and keep drinks cold, but they can also power your watches. Numerous manufacturers make watches with small solar components to charge your favorite model on the go. The stylish varieties could make your life more eco-friendly while showcasing the latest environmentally friendly way to tell time.
4. AI-Powered Programs
Some people might imagine that time keepers are strictly watches or clocks. If you’re among the 76% of U.S. tech experts who think artificial intelligence (AI) is beneficial, you know that time tracking programs are changing, too. AI timekeeping software knows when your computer is active or when you are spending time with specific clients. You could simplify your professional life with a program that tracks your activities and presents automatic reports for recordkeeping.
5. Fitness Tracker Watches
If you wear your watch daily to maintain your schedule, why can’t it also tell you other things about your life? The inspiration led to modern fitness trackers that double as smartwatches. Research shows that 31% of Americans own one to monitor their health.
They contain tiny computer chips that sync with software programs to update your favorite apps with real-time personal data. Humans never could have guessed that the first sundial would eventually lead to life-changing technology like smartwatches.
6. Miniature Atomic Clocks
Technological inventions get tinier with each passing year. Researchers figured out how to shrink atomic clocks to 1 centimeter wide and 2 millimeters tall, which isn’t close to their stopping point. Timekeeping enthusiasts want to keep shrinking atomic clocks to less than one cubic centimeter. If they succeed, the timekeepers could go into military equipment or sync complicated equipment like international stock exchange hardware.
How to Choose the Right Clock for Yourself
Once you know about quantum clocks and micro timekeepers, you might wonder which options are best for your daily life. Decide by checking your budget and thinking about what purpose you want your clock to serve.
If you prefer something with numerous stylish options, you could be in the market for a smartwatch rather than an AI timekeeping program. There’s no wrong option if you avoid overspending, get your preferred features and select a timekeeper with the accuracy you want.
Watch for Future Innovations
Timekeepers and tech lovers will continue working together to track time more accurately. Pay attention to the field to see new inventions in the coming years. Your style or ability to connect with the world could depend on the advanced clock mechanisms in your future watch, computer, or other advanced technology.
