From drone-based crop analytics to sensing technology that improves the lives of people with disabilities, developers are using modern data tools to solve real-world problems and make a positive impact in their communities. There are many interesting ways to apply data analysis in everyday life, browse now even if you’re not a data scientist. You don’t need to be a student or an analyst, that’s what the Internet is for! As long as you have an open mind and love math, you can learn more about it every day. In this post, we’ve compiled some of the most inspiring examples of how developers are using real-time data applications to change the world for the better.
Why These Real-World Coding Examples Matter:
The web’s potential to help people connect, collaborate and share ideas have never been greater. But with so many people online now, it’s easier than ever to get lost in the crowd. And at a time when social media is being used by politicians and marketers to control public opinion, it’s more important than ever to stand out from the pack.
That’s why it’s vital for businesses and developers alike to think about new ways to use the web for good. By combining the latest technologies with creativity and a desire to make a difference, you can create apps that help solve some of today’s biggest problems.to see how you can leverage your coding skill to save the world!
5 Inspiring real-world applications of codes and data analytics:
1. Apollo 11 Moon Landing
In July of 1969, the world watched with excitement and nervousness as the Apollo 11 spacecraft landed on the moon. It was an amazing accomplishment, but it was also a mission that involved risk. By this time, NASA had already suffered several high-profile space accidents, including the deaths of three astronauts in a fire during a test on the launchpad and the death of another astronaut when his parachute failed during a test flight. Needless to say, NASA wanted to make sure everything went smoothly with Apollo 11, so they brought in Margaret Hamilton, lead developer of MIT’s onboard flight software for the mission.
The code was written in assembly language for the Apollo Guidance Computer (AGC), which had limited memory — just 36 kilobytes — and processing power — about 1 megahertz.
The AGC was able to run millions of lines of code because much of it was written in subroutines, which can be reused over and over again. Still, Hamilton’s team ended up writing hundreds of thousands of lines of code to control every aspect of the mission.
2. The Enigma Machine
The Enigma Machine was a German cipher device used in World War II to encrypt messages. The Allies were able to decrypt many of the messages sent using this device. This is an example of how real-world coding can be used to save the day.
It was invented by a German engineer named Arthur Scherbius at the end of World War I, but gained worldwide fame when it was used by Nazi Germany during World War II.
To crack the code, the Allies needed to figure out what the original message was. They did this by analyzing patterns in the encrypted messages and guessing what they might mean.
Some guesses were correct, and some were not. A computer program was written that could guess many combinations of letters very quickly, and test those guesses against actual messages that had already been decrypted. The computer would then try another combination of letters until a match was found. Once one message was decrypted, the Allies could use it to guess countless other messages sent with the same settings on the Enigma machine.
3. Perseverance Rover Mars Landing
The biggest news in space in 2021 was the successful landing of the Perseverance Rover on Mars, but this project would not have been possible without some serious coding chops.
NASA engineers created a system called “terrain relative navigation” (TRN) to help the rover determine the best place to land. This was an important step because it allowed NASA scientists to choose the Jezero crater as the landing site, which could hold evidence of past life on Mars. They needed a computer algorithm that could map out safe places for the rover to land within the crater, and then calculate how to get there through hundreds of millions of miles of space.
This is where coding comes in: by weighing variables such as trajectory angle and distance traveled, TRN was able to map out safe landing sites and help the rover safely land on Mars. The Perseverance Rover’s TRN system may lead us to discoveries about extra-terrestrial life.
NASA engineers had to write code that would tell the rover what to do at every phase of its journey, from launch to landing on Mars.
4. Smart Lightening
Smart home lighting is a good example of how far the Internet of Things has come. Once upon a time, you could turn your lights on and off using your smartphone. Now, you can do so much more. You can interact with your lights in ways that make your life easier, more efficient, and safer.
To help people sleep better, Philips Hue has a “lights out” feature that gradually dims all the lights in sequence before bedtime, helping your body prepare for sleep.
Smart lights can work with motion sensors to automatically turn on when you walk into a room, saving you from having to reach for a light switch.
If you’re away on vacation and want to add a layer of security to your home, smart lights can be programmed to turn on and off randomly during the day and night, making it look like someone is home even when there isn’t anyone.
5. Facial Recognition Doorbells
Face recognition is a type of biometric software that maps an individual’s facial features mathematically and stores the data as a faceprint. The software uses deep learning algorithms to compare a live capture or digital image to the stored faceprint to verify an individual’s identity.
Some companies have started building face recognition doorbells that tell you exactly who is waiting outside your front door. These smart doorbells are great when you’re expecting a package or a delivery, but they can also be used for more than just keeping an eye on who comes by your home.
The technology can be used as another security measure to keep your family safe and secure. When someone rings the bell, you’ll be notified immediately on your phone, even if you’re not home, and will be able to take action right away if it’s someone suspicious.
Conclusion
We’re curious to know what your thoughts are on this. If you’re a developer or know one, tell us in the comments: are there any other ways that data analysis is changing the world for the better? What are some innovative uses of data tools that you’ve seen?
