Fortune 500 CEOs tell us that their No. 1 concern is the rapid pace of technological innovation, and today’s news illustrates why. Most CEOs and other leaders are accustomed to meeting challenges that demand a lot of intellect or influence; that’s what they’re trained to do. But today’s incredible advances in tech require leaders to stretch their imaginations, and for many of them that’s much harder.
The new issue of Nature reports the latest mind-bending breakthrough: a squishy, octopus-shaped robot that is “the first self-contained robot made exclusively of soft, flexible parts.” It contains no chips or electronics of any kind, instead using an ingenious system of hydrogen peroxide fuel moving through channels in its eight silicone rubber arms. One of its developers, Harvard’s Robert Wood, explains that “instead of passing electrons around, we’re passing liquids and gases.” A video shows how it was made and what it does.
This is a big deal. Researchers not associated with the octobot project say “it heralds a generation of soft robots that might surpass conventional machines.” Now try to get your mind around this. What might be possible with a robot that, like a real octopus, can make itself flat or round, longer or shorter, squeezing through narrow openings, gripping and manipulating unknown objects, moving across varying, unpredictable terrain? The non-affiliated researchers imagine applications in “servicing and inspecting machinery, search-and-rescue operations, and exploration. Soft robots might also open up new approaches to improving wellness and quality of life.” But while potentially significant, these ideas are what any of us might think of in a minute or two. One of the great lessons of new technology is that the world will find uses for it that the creators never conceived of. What might those be in your industry or field?
Now go a step further. The octobot’s developers creatively combined disparate technologies – 3D printing, evaporating inks – to produce their new device. What seemingly unrelated tech advances could be combined in new ways to create breakthroughs in your world?
You say you have no idea – that tech is not what you were trained in. You’re in good company. Few leaders can even begin to face such questions. That’s why so many of them are trying to build “a culture of innovation.” It’s a worthy objective that’s really hard to reach; technological achievement turns out to depend heavily on human relationships and unwritten organizational rules and norms. No wonder galloping technology is the CEOs’ No. 1 concern. It seems unlikely to change anytime soon.
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What We're Reading Today
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Southwest pilots picket
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Building a Better Leader
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When taking over a troubled organization or project...
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Planning for the Future
Heir apparent at General Mills becomes clear
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Self-driving taxis roll out in Singapore
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Spotify tries to solve a big problem
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Another Republican calls for Trump's tax returns
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AAA says not all automatic braking systems are meant to avoid crashes
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Quote of the Day
"If you’re going to run and try to become the president of the United States, you’re going to have to open up your kimono and show everything, your tax returns, your medical records...You’re just going to have to do that. It’s too important." -- House Oversight Committee chairman Jason Chaffetz discussing Hillary Clinton's and Donald Trump's health and tax records. Fortune
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