3 Ways Software Innovation Has Reduced Environmental Impact
With over 50 million tonnes of e-waste produced every single year, it’s not surprising that it’s hard to believe that the solution to some of these issues lies in further tech.
Not in more hardware though, rather in new software innovations designed to boost output, conserve power and avoid wasted energy and emissions. Here’s three ways software innovation has reduced environmental impact.
E-Waste is a Very Real Problem
A 2004 UN study highlights the very real problems behind tech production. One single computer and monitor set up requires 240kg of fossil fuels, 22kg of chemicals and 1,500kg of water and while those environmental costs have likely decreased per device, the rates at which people are using and disposing of their devices definitely haven’t.
Then you’ve got to factor in the recycling, travel or landfill environmental costs. Tech is costing the environment plenty. Sweden leads the way when it comes to recycling their e-waste, recycling over 55% according to a 2016 study.
So really, we shouldn’t be looking at solving our environmental problems with more hardware. Instead, we should be focusing on optimising and refining current systems, allowing us to challenge environmental impact without further damage in the process.
Tesla’s Range Increasing Software Update
By squeezing every last drop of efficiency out of his electric engine, Elon Musk has managed to jump the efficiency of the Model 3 substantially, something in the order of fifteen extra miles of range. Purely through software updates plugging efficiency leaks and optimising performance.
What’s more impressive than just the fact that software updates can now boost car performance? Well, the fact that this doesn’t just apply to Tesla’s latest models. The Model S and Model X will both see performance and range upgrades from this update as well.
Renewable Energy Sharing
The novel idea of renewable energy sharing poses a very real threat to big energy companies. By enabling consumers with solar panels, wind turbines and other renewable power sources to easily and effectively sell their excess power to their neighbours, as well as local hospitals or schools, you’re putting the power literally in consumers hands. This could make renewable energy investments more appealing, as well as allowing for renewable energy to take over a bigger chunk of the total energy used.
This technology all hinges on AI. By predicting and preparing energy needs around usage surges and other data, AI-driven software solutions can effectively allow the start-ups creating this tech to design a system that allows consumers to utilise as much of their renewable energy as possible. Whether that’s through selling to your neighbours or using yourself.
Audi’s Green Wave Technology
Now installed in a second German city, Audi’s Green Wave technology utilises AI to calculate the correct speeds and routes that will result in a euphoric chain of green traffic lights while passing through a usually traffic-choked city. The car-traffic link allows drivers to receive live real-time updates, making for a quicker journey.
This doesn’t just help to mitigate traffic, it also helps drivers to drive more environmentally, sticking to speeds that will get them to their destination fastest without any sudden acceleration involved.
Not only is this great for the city, reducing traffic and greenhouse emissions, it also reduces the risk of speeding accidents for pedestrians around the city.
The Future isn’t Always More Hardware
It’s too easy to picture the future as being a gleaming mass of polished new gadgets, but fairly soon we’re going to reach the point where our tech is at a point where the incremental improvements can be performed equally by software updates rather than hardware. And the environment is going to benefit hugely.