Wakanda Movie Review: Technology in the Movies Is Closer Than You Think
Over two million people shuffled into crowded theatres on November 10, 2022 for the premiere of the latest Black Panther movie – Wakanda Forever. Families, kids, and techies of all ages grabbed popcorn, snacks, and sodas and settled into their seats in anticipation of Marvel Studio’s most technologically-advanced futuristic world. The mythical land of Wakanda.
Let me tell you, it didn’t disappoint.
👚Who wouldn’t be entertained, if not inspired, by clothing that automatically dresses you at the push of a button
… AND is nearly indestructible 💣
🚗 Self-driving cars you can control remotely
⌚ Bracelets used for communication and monitoring your health – in addition to being a fabulous fashion accessory, of course
Fantastical as these ideas seem, did you know that technology in the movies isn’t as impossible as you think? It’s true. In fact, many technology concepts in Wankanda were inspired by real-life tech advancements today.
In this Wakanda review, we’re diving into Wacandan technologies to compare with today’s technology advancements.
Vibranium
At the center of the Wanda world is vibranium – a fictional element that absorbs and converts kinetic energy into power. Vibranium is essential to the Wakandan lifestyle.
This element is used in a variety of ways throughout the Wakanda Forever movie, including for:
🗡️ Weapons
🛡️ Armor
❤️🩹 Health
📱 Communication systems
Even though the magical metal of vibranium isn’t real in our world, there is one real element that comes close…
… COBALT 🪨
Don’t Worry, We Won’t Get Too Deep Into The Rocks
Cobalt is a rare metal – you may remember it from your middle school science class going over the periodic table – that is essential to modern technology we use today.
Imagine a world without:
📱 Cell phones – 🔋 Lithium-ion batteries – 💻 Laptops – 🚗 Electric cars
Like vibranium, cobalt is important for more than just technology. Cobalt also has important health properties. It contributes to healthy blood cell formation and neurological health in the form of vitamin B12. And cobalt-60 is used to create gamma rays, which are used to treat cancer and sterilize medical supplies (United States Enironmental Protection Agency).
Your body needs to have just the right balance of cobalt – too much or too little can cause health issues. Like with everything, moderation is key.
Kimoyo Beads
If you watched Wakanda Forever you can’t miss the magical kimoyo beads that every Wakandan seems to be wearing. A statement of Wakanda’s democratization of technology.
Like vibranium, kimoyo beads have many uses in the world of Wakanda, since these beads are infused with vibranium.
Wakandans use kimoyo beads to:
🎮Pilot vehicles remotely
🕵️Spy on conversations to collect intel
📲 Communicate in real-time using holograms
🩹Heal their bodies
Wearables – specifically the Apple Watch – and kimoyo beads share the same basic communication properties of communicating in real-time and taking control of your health.
⌚ Today’s smart watches are able to monitor your ❤️ heart rate, 🚶count your steps, 😴measure your sleeping patterns …and anything else you want an app for.
Now, Apple just needs to work on adding holograms.
But when you think about it, iPhone’s Facetime feature is comparable to a hologram.
And speaking of smartphones, they are truly powerful devices. We can talk, text, take professional-ish photos. We can even fly drones from our smartphones… just like kimoyo beads do in Wakanda.
But Back to Holograms
The holographic 3D video-conferencing aspect of the kimoyo beads seems futuristic, but is actually a reality right now.
Proto Inc.(formerly known as Portl) is the world’s first and only holographic communications platform. Proto is known for its life-sized hologram machine standing at seven feet tall!
Through Proto’s hologram machine, a live subject is beamed in real-time from any camera or mobile phone to any Proto device anywhere in the world. A new desktop version is in development, coming later this year (Proto Inc.).
Exciting advancements are certainly on the horizon in the hologram space!
Magnetic Levitation Rail System
Wakanda uses a high-tech transportation system that is central to the Wakandan lifestyle. Their maglev – magnetic levitation – train system is comparable to Japan’s “Bullet Train,” which can transport passengers at speeds of up to 374 miles per hour (JapanCentric)!
Backup! What does maglev mean?
Maglev is a train transportation system where the train is actually lifted off the track and floats above it. A strong magnetic field powered by large amounts of electricity keeps the train from falling off the track
As futuristic as floating trains sound, the idea for magnetic levitation started in the early 1900s. Albert C. Albertson patented his idea for magnetic levitation to only partially lift a train by keeping the wheels on the track.
Japan is undeniably the leader in maglev technology with the fastest trains in the world…right now. But Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Motors, SpaceX, and The Boring Company could give Japan a run for its money.
Elon Musk announced his idea to develop a Hyperloop in 2013. The Hyperloop is a futuristic transportation concept where passengers would travel in electric pods at ultra-high speeds at over 600 miles per hour (The Boring Company).
That’s almost twice as much as Japan’s Bullet Train!
10 years later and the Hyperloop finally completed its first human test run and should be up and running in 2025 or 2026 (The Boring Company).
From ✈️ to 🚆
Just like when airplanes changed our lives in the way we travel, advancements in the Hyperloop and Japan’s maglev trains are certain to change our world all over again.
Black Panther Suit
Now for the suit. The Black Panther Suit is the definition of high-tech.
The Black Panther suit has vibranium sewn into the fabric, which enhances strength, speed, and protection for the wearer. It has the ability to absorb kinetic energy and then use it when necessary.
AND, the suit monitors vital signs and biometrics, like the wearer’s heart rate, and sends this information to connected computers.
For anyone in the military, you might be thinking “Hey, this sounds familiar…”
This technology is similar to the Tactical Assault Light Operator Suit (TALOS) created by the U.S. military in 2012 – aka ‘the Ironman suit.’
TALOS is a combination of an exoskeleton system and advanced armor that boosts strength and protection while monitoring health to create… the ultimate weapon.
Soldiers are able to run faster, longer, and without getting tired. They’re stronger – able to lift heavier objects while wearing the suit and for longer periods of time. And with real-time health monitoring, soldiers can check their heart rate, stress levels, and any wounds.
Now that’s badass.
Technology In The Movies = The Technology of Today
“Portray your product as average and that’s all it will ever be.”
— Jeremy Gutsche, CEO of Trend Hunt, futurist speaker, and innovation expert for Fortune 500 brands
Marvel Studios took Jeremy’s advice to heart when they dreamed big to create the most technologically-advanced futuristic world of Wakanda.
Two million people were awed and inspired as they watched Wakanda Forever in theaters. Wishing they could experience the technology of Wakanda for themselves.
Little did they know that technology in the movies is based on the technology of today.
In this Wakanda review, we found similarities between:
Vibranium & Cobalt
Kimoyo Beads & Smart Devices
Wakanda’s Magnetic Levitation Rail System & Today’s Maglev System
The Black Panther Suit & the U.S. military’s Ironman suit
Instead of reserving our dreams for the movies, take a look at the innovation that’s happening today. The genius and magic that’s all around you.
Only then will you realize that we’re living in a world of real-life superheroes … just like Wakanda.
