Kids’ tech predictions placed in a time capsule

The ideas, which were placed in a time capsule, included robots that read minds, credit cards implanted in the body and cars that turn into jets. These concepts received the royal seal of approval as the reopening of the engineering hub was presided over by HRH The Princess Royal, an Honorary Fellow of the IET, who sealed the time capsule containing artefacts marking the past, present and future of technology.

Other ideas from the children included:

• Robots that do all your chores, housework.
• An indestructible rocket that can travel to space and a space village.
• Roads and bridges that repair themselves with a self-healing material. This means that our roads and bridges will be strong, safe and there will be less traffic jams due to road maintenance.
• A microchip to fight cancer.
• Sunglasses that can record anything you see.

IET President Jeremy Watson CBE, said: “Engineering and technology is all around us - it’s at the heart of almost everything we do and this is an extraordinary and exciting time for our profession. However, if we want engineering to continue to keep advancing society and economic growth, we need to inspire the next generation. This activity has been a brilliant way to get children thinking about the future of engineering - as well as demonstrating to them how creative engineering can be.”

HRH The Princess Royal also unveiled a plaque and met IET members, volunteers and staff on a tour of the building. IET London: Savoy Place is a global engineering hub for engineers everywhere and includes exhibitions and engineering spaces that celebrate and highlight the history of the IET, as well as the future of engineering.