Martin Cooper, the pioneer of the modern cell phone, has predicted that humans may one day have their mobile phones embedded under their skin. In a recent interview on NPR, Cooper shared his vision that led to the first cellular phone call and what he thinks the future holds for mobile phones.
Cooper revolutionized the mobile phone world in 1972 when he created a phone that could fit in a pocket. By the following year, his Motorola division had a functional cell phone system, and on April 3, 1973, Cooper made the first-ever call from a handheld brick phone. Today, two-thirds of people on Earth own a cellphone, a fact that Cooper finds astounding.
“We knew back in 1973 that someday, everybody would have a cellphone, and we’re almost there,” he said. So we had a joke that said that someday when you were born, you would be assigned a phone number.” Cooper believes that the future of mobile phones will see parts of the device embedded under people’s skin, powered by their body’s energy.
“You won’t have to charge a cellphone, because your body is a perfect charger. You ingest food, and you turn it into energy,” he predicted. Cooper’s vision for mobile phones under the skin has sparked mixed reactions from the public, with some expressing concern over privacy and the ethical implications of such technology.
While the idea of implanted mobile phones may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, it is not entirely far-fetched. The medical industry already uses implantable devices such as pacemakers and insulin pumps. As technology continues to advance, it is not unreasonable to think that mobile phones could also become part of the body’s natural systems.
Cooper’s vision of implanted mobile phones may not become a reality in the immediate future, but it is an interesting concept to consider as technology continues to evolve. Regardless of what the future holds for mobile phones, Cooper’s impact on the industry will always be remembered. He truly revolutionized the way we communicate and paved the way for the modern world of mobile technology.
