The 7 Biggest Technology Failures of 2023: A Comprehensive Look
1. The Tragic Fate of the Titan Submersible
In a harrowing incident in June, the experimental submersible Titan sank in the North Atlantic at a depth of 3,500 meters. With five people on board, it was lost after descending to the Titanic wreck site. The Titan, envisioned by aerospace engineer Stockton Rush, was a radical deep-sea vessel made from carbon fiber, intended to pioneer new depths for tourism. Despite warnings about its inability to withstand 400 atmospheres of pressure, Rush famously quoted General MacArthur: "You are remembered for the rules you break." Sadly, the disregard for the laws of physics had dire consequences. The remains of the submarine were found four days after losing contact, likely having imploded under pressure. The tragedy claimed the lives of Rush and four passengers.
2. Upside Foods' Lab-Grown Meat Controversy
Upside Foods, a Berkeley-based startup, raised over $500 million to revolutionize meat production by growing beef and chicken in labs, a more humane approach. However, journalistic investigations revealed that their large vats didn't produce the promised "whole textured chicken fillet." Instead, smaller lab flasks were used to grow chicken skin cells, manually pressed into chicken-like pieces. Former employee Samir Qurashi told the Wall Street Journal about the company's "fake it till you make it" approach, exaggerating the potential of lab-grown meat.
3. The Halt of Cruise's Robotaxi Project
In July, we reported about activists in San Francisco opposing the spread of robotaxis, citing the displacement of traditional taxis with drivers. Cruise vehicles were known to stop mid-road, obstructing emergency vehicles, public transport, and general traffic. In November, Cruise suspended its robotaxi Origin after an accident involving a pedestrian struck by a conventional car and then hit by a Cruise vehicle, leading to serious injuries. This incident resulted in the company laying off 25% of its staff, including CEO and co-founder Kyle Vogt.
4. The Plastic Pollution Crisis
The world produces 430 million tons of plastic annually, a figure surpassing the combined weight of the human population. Yet, only 9% of this is recycled, with the rest ending up in landfills and the environment. The average whale ingests kilograms of plastic, and microplastic particles are found in soft drinks, plankton, human blood, and even the air. The impact of widespread microplastic pollution on health remains largely unexplored.
5. Ai Pin's Market Failure
The Ai Pin, a $699 plastic badge with a camera, chips, and sensors from Humane Ai, aimed to free people from smartphone dependency. However, its design, reminiscent of a golf ball, made it impractical to wear. Intended for voice commands and AI interaction, the product, conceived by former Apple executives Bethany Bongiorno and Imran Chaudhri under the guidance of Buddhist monk Brother Spirit, failed to appeal to consumers. Despite $240 million in funding and 25 patents, it was criticized for neglecting the key design principle of desirability.
6. The LK-99 Superconductor Hoax
In July, the Korean-developed LK-99 substance was touted as a room-temperature superconductor, a material with no electrical resistance. If true, it would revolutionize battery technology, quantum computing, and bring nuclear fusion closer to reality. However, the excitement was short-lived as physicists couldn't replicate the findings, debunking the claims.
7. The Controversy Over Solar Geoengineering
Solar geoengineering, the concept of cooling the planet by dispersing light-reflecting materials in the atmosphere, faced a setback in Mexico. The startup Make Sunsets planned to launch balloons for dispersing sulfur dioxide, a reflective substance. Despite selling these "cooling" items for $10 each, critics argued that such hasty actions could hinder progress in climate change mitigation by masking the greenhouse effect without addressing its causes.
