TECHNOLOGICAL OBJECTS: CHARACTERISTICS AND EXAMPLES - TECHNOLOGY - 2025

The technological objects or technological devices are physical structures designed and developed intentionally by humans through technological practice to fulfill certain functions.

That is, they are material objects useful to fulfill some specialized function for practical purposes. There are numerous technological devices: scanners, smartphones, digital watches, televisions, air conditioners, electric thermometers, etc.

Examples of technological objects

These artifacts are clear manifestations of the application of technology. Today's world is full of material objects made by engineers and scientists to be used in everyday life. Therefore, through these objects, technology has a positive influence on society and on a daily basis.

In every technological device there is a crucial relationship between the composition and structure of the materials used and their performance properties. For this reason, technologists need to be able to evaluate different materials and select the most suitable for their purpose.

They also need to understand how existing materials can be modified or new materials formulated, and how the choice of materials impacts the design, development, maintenance, and disposal of technological artifacts.

Characteristics of technological objects

A tablet and a digital camera

Technological artifacts viewed as human-made objects are different from natural objects in two ways: they can have physical properties that natural objects do not have, and they are considered usable objects as means to obtain practical ends.

- They have different types of functionalities.

- They are manufactured with the benefit of society in mind.

- They are products made by humans.

Help for society

Above all, technological devices are intended to be of great help to society, for which they must be used responsibly, also taking certain care with some.

For example, you have to be more careful with touch devices, such as a cell phone, than with a household appliance such as a blender or washing machine.

Technological artifacts in this generation are becoming more practical and smaller for humans. They are wonderful objects that give a better quality of life.

Movable

The emergence of movable appliances in recent years means that it is now possible to use them anywhere, anytime.

They are usually movable material objects, dedicated to fulfilling some specific function, which in general seeks to amplify the natural limits of the human body.

Dynamic

It is constantly evolving with technological artifacts, as particular artifacts begin to be incorporated into skills in different areas of daily life.

Custom

Each person has a different set of technological gadgets that they use regularly, creating their own personalized environment.

Global

There are no longer national limits. Thanks to their service to society worldwide, it is possible to get these artifacts all over the world.

Resistant

Most tech gadgets are pretty solid and reliable these days - they rarely come out with a flaw.

Training

To use various technological devices and be able to take full advantage of all their possibilities, it is necessary to read an instruction manual on how to use and care for them more effectively

Examples of technological objects

Smart watch

In addition to the common functions of a classic watch, the smartwatch can be connected to the smartphone or tablet, with a simple Android or iOS application.

In this way, the watch gives access to a lot of information in addition to the time of day, such as missed calls, messages and emails.

Portable music player

By 2001 portable music players had been around for several years and even had cheap knockoffs. However, Apple thought it could do better and that year it entered the ring determined to shake up this industry.

The iPod was an instant hit, reinventing the utility digital music player into a sleek and simple way of listening to music.

The newer iPods have greatly expanded that market by adding features like video and thinner cases.

Mobile cell phone

The first cell phones were huge bricks that users were almost embarrassed to be seen with. Then they got smaller and smaller, with a very light weight and sporting a smart design.

Smartphone companies extend the variety of functions, in addition to calls and messages, that these devices display.

Video game console

This technological device is intended for fun and entertainment. It comes in different shapes and sizes. Includes lots of games.

Computer

It is a formidable technological device. In addition to being a fast and multifaceted tool, it is a data management system that has revolutionized work and human social relationships.

Blender

This technological device represents one of the devices that are most used in the kitchen of homes. It is used to grind a wide variety of foods and also to take them from a solid to a liquid phase.

Electric car

In the automotive world, automobiles that work with an electric charge and not with the use of traditional batteries are included as an innovation.

TV

It allows people to see and hear what is happening anywhere in the world. The trend of replacing classic television with digital television has been going on for a while, but 4K televisions will likely be the ultimate success of this old industry.

This is because they can display movies with resolutions four times larger than HDTV. It's a big step in terms of clarity and fidelity.

Fridge

It is based on a thermally insulated box with a pump that transfers the existing heat inside to the environment so that its internal part can be cooled to a lower temperature than the one in the outside environment.

The refrigerator came to replace the refrigerator, which for more than a hundred years had been a common household appliance.

Tablet

It is a mobile portable device, usually with a rechargeable battery, an operating system and a touch screen in a thin, flat package.

Being essentially computers, they do what other personal computers do, but they lack some of the input / output capabilities that personal computers have.

Digital camcorder

Currently it allows you to carry out photography and video recording functions even under water. These technological artifacts are becoming smaller and smaller.

Internet WIFI

It is becoming more and more practical and simple to have access to the Internet anywhere, through the use of devices that make wireless Wi-Fi possible.

Microwave oven

It is a household appliance that is used in a notorious way in today's life, operating on food through the generation of electromagnetic waves to heat and even cook it.

Remote control

It is possible thanks to the electronic handling of radio and infrared signals. These technological gadgets today are commonly used in different industries, such as automotive.

In addition, it is used for television and various household appliances. It is being used more and more in the toy industry.

Smart glasses

Google glasses seem to be the first pair of smart glasses that can work properly.

Being able to get real-time information on everything you are viewing may seem like information overload, but most people will likely get used to the idea in the future.

GPS

It is a satellite system that allows to know the terrestrial location of the device. The companies introduced personal GPS gadgets for automotive navigation and other uses.

Later, the combination of GPS technology with mobile broadband connections from smartphones gave rise to multi-million dollar location-based services such as Uber.

E-book reader

It has the ability to accommodate a large number of books, documents and even images, looking for a traditional reading model, but taking advantage of digital storage.

DVD Player

The DVD player made it possible to view crisp digital movies on a small tray only 12 centimeters in diameter, which is still the size for conventional optical media like Blu-ray today.

Virtual reality receiver

Oculus Rift will be remembered for commercially revitalizing the notion of being able to fasten special artifacts to our faces by the ability to visit suggestively real fictional sites.

Robots

In developed societies, it is increasingly common for these devices that can fulfill multiple functions to be implemented in various instances.

Pedometer

This device is used to record not only the steps, but also the sleep patterns and the calories burned of the users.

Some allow customers to upload all of that information to a website for ongoing analysis.

Electric guitar

It has been an important advance within the music industry when it comes to projecting a musical instrument and having a new sound emission.

Drone

It is an aerial device that performs different functions, such as capturing video and images, or loading materials from one place to another.

Small drones will soon be delivering packages and helping first responders find people trapped in a disaster. For now, they are largely toys for hobbyists and videographers.

3D printer

It uses technology similar to an inkjet printer to extrude hot plastic that takes any three-dimensional shape, such as graphic materials, mechanical parts, and more.

Scooter skateboard

It is a defining example of the latest in personal transportation. It is specially designed to make walking archaic.

The closure or zipper

This closure system has gone out of style to the most diverse areas and most incredible activities. Not only does it hold up our pants, but it is also the safest way to close spacesuits.

The invention of the clasp went a long way. Curiously, it was more difficult than the invention of airplanes or computers. This is commented by historian Robert Friedel of the University of Maryland, in his book "Zipper: Anexploration in novelty."

Solar Furnace

This oven known as the “Infinity Oven” works based on solar technology. In this way, its cost is low and it uses the power of the sun to cook.

It has been designed with recycled oil drums and other similar materials, reaching more than 220 degrees Celsius at the time of use.

Water purifier

Living in the city, we are increasingly exposed to different types of pollutants. These reach us even through drinking water, which to be made drinkable must contain various minerals or metals that can be harmful to our health.

A simple water purifier can solve this problem. At present, there are some that also use solar technology to remove particles that can be pollutants in the water.

Laser scanner

Although it seems that they are devices used in high technology, laser scanners are part of our lives.

For example, in the supermarket, when the items are passed through the checkout, their barcode is scanned by a laser. The same is true in the case of playing a DVD.

Accelerometer

Thanks to this device incorporated in our mobile devices, we can enlarge or rotate the screen of our mobile phone or tablet to send better messages or see information more clearly.

External storage device

These devices also called pendrives have changed the way of transferring information. You no longer need a large object to store important data. These small gadgets can measure the same as a keychain and have a large storage capacity.

The same happens with external drives, since a device no bigger than a cell phone can store all the information on a computer, moving it to different places simply and safely.

Microphone

Designed so that the sound waves are recorded to be heard. It is always associated with the media such as radio, but they are found in thousands of devices that we use daily: telephone, laptops, virtual assistants or GPS assistance.

Kitchen robot

This appliance has the ability to cook different recipes automatically as it is capable of performing functions such as blending, grinding, heating, kneading, cooking or grinding.

Electric wheelchair

It has been the greatest evolution of the manual wheelchair. Thanks to its technological devices, users do not depend on their strength or capabilities to be able to move in it.

Vacuum cleaner robot

Small device designed to suck up the dust and debris that accumulate in the home or any space enabled for its movement. It has a memorization system to know how to adapt to the environment.

Electric air freshener

It is an aroma diffuser to keep a closed space clean of bad odors and to purify the air.

Electronic scales

Evolution of the classic scale. It usually has sensors that allow us to measure weight and other physical characteristics (volumetric percentage, body fat, fluid percentage, metabolic age, etc.).

Digital tensiometer

Device designed to measure a person's blood pressure. It consists of a bracelet that is placed fixed to the person's wrist and a digital display that indicates the tension and the pulsations.

Anti-theft alarm

They can be applied to home or cars. It is an electronic device with sensors that are activated when motion is detected and that emit a warning signal to a surveillance service.

Mosquito repellent diffuser

They can be electric with ultrasound or liquid. In both cases they are plugged into the electrical current and give off a repellent that scares away mosquitoes.

Headset

It is placed on the ears of the hearing impaired. It is a device that collects sound waves to convert them into sound, but increasing the volume to be able to be heard correctly.

Themes of interest

Technological inventions.

References

1. Pieter E. Vermaas (2019). Technological Artifacts. Pieter Vermaas. Taken from: pietervermaas.nl.
2. Steemit (2019). Products of Technology and Their Uses. Taken from: steemit.com.
3. Listverse (2014). 10 Modern Devices That Will Change Our Lives. Taken from: listverse.com.
4. Time (2016). The 50 Most Influential Gadgets of All Time. Taken from: time.com.
5. Examples (2019). 20 Examples of Technological Artifacts. Taken from: examples.co.
6. Examples (2019). Examples of Technological Devices, Objects and Artifacts. Taken from: examples.net.