People are unique creatures of nature. They are endowed with the ability to think and plan for the future; however, in most cases, they live only for today. This significantly slows down the development of all mankind and does not allow for achieving the most ambitious goals. The situation would be pretty depressing if there were no enthusiasts among the general mass who want to look into the future. It is these people who are the engines of progress. They design complex mechanisms, make amazing discoveries, and modernize well-known things. The latter include thermal imaging and night vision technologies. They are gradually improving and getting better every day. It is already possible to predict what these technologies will look like and how we will use them. We will try to reveal these and other secrets in our article.

Night vision and its features

Less than a century ago, no one thought about creating devices that would allow a person to see at night. However, now they have become a reality that we perceive as commonplace. Night vision itself is a unique development. It is based on amplifying the existing light due to various transformations. Light fluxes emanating from various natural sources are used as the starting material. The latter include the moon's light, stars, and other celestial bodies. It passes through multiple elements of the design of night optics and is amplified many times before being displayed. The result is a sharper, brighter, and more detailed image.

Users quickly appreciated night vision capabilities. The high efficiency of this technology has made it in demand among military personnel and civilians. With its help, the first control military equipment, perform maneuvers in the dark, track the enemy's movement, conduct reconnaissance activities, and perform many other tasks. Ordinary people also actively enjoy all the privileges of night vision. They use it during search and rescue operations, guarding strategically essential facilities, and driving a car and various aircraft. In addition, this technology benefits scientists, tourists, fishermen, hunters, and industrial workers.

The popularity of night vision and devices based on it sets new records every year. This is due to the many positive qualities that specialists and ordinary users distinguish. At the same time, this technology must partially get rid of its shortcomings. There are few of them, but everyone should know about their existence.

Pros:

• many applications;
• minimum dimensions of devices;
• ease of use;
• efficiency in the dark;
• minimum energy requirements;
• affordable cost;
• a relatively small number of components;
• large working resource;
• reliability of most devices;
• a minimum of negative reviews.

Cons:

• uselessness during the day and in total darkness;
• the impossibility of detecting hidden or masked objects.

Thermal imaging and its features

The rapid development of technology over the past 100 years has led to the advent of thermal imaging. It became a revolutionary invention that opened up new possibilities for mankind. If we consider this technology, we can note its simplicity. It is observed in everything from the principle of operation to the design of manufactured devices. Thermal imaging is based on the ability of optics to collect infrared radiation from all environmental objects. Further transformation of the source material makes it possible to form a thermal image of the examined area, in which cold and hot objects will be visible. In addition, the user will have access to information on the distribution of surface temperatures of each living and non-living thing.

The first thermal imaging devices were designed for military purposes. Then and now, soldiers from different units use them during night operations, when more than the capabilities of classic night vision will be needed. This often occurs under deplorable lighting conditions or in the absence of light. Also, this technology will be helpful in adverse weather and in cases where it is necessary to detect a well-hidden or camouflaged object. Civilians are no less actively using all the possibilities of thermal imaging. It helps them diagnose hospital patients, hunt, build, and make scientific discoveries. In addition, this technology benefits workers in various industries. Even representatives of such professions as a restorer, a sports referee, and an ecologist keep thermal imaging from passing by.

Thermal imaging can be helpful in almost any activity. This can be explained by several dozen positive qualities in him and the device created on its basis. Only the most significant should be singled out and included in our list. There are far fewer items on the list of technology shortcomings. However, their complete absence has yet to be achieved.

Pros:

• benefits beginners and professionals;
• dozens of application options;
• simplicity of operation;
• ability to work effectively without any lighting;
• the possibility of obtaining information about the temperature of the observed objects;
• the ability to detect heat through various barriers;
• possibility of operation in any surrounding conditions.
• efficiency not only at night but also during the day;
• high reliability of most devices;
• the minimum number of negative reviews.

Cons:

• increased dimensions of devices;
• high costs for the production of optics.

Priority ways of development

Discovering thermal imaging and night vision, people did not even suspect that in a few decades, these technologies would become indispensable in our daily lives. Something similar is happening now. People need to think about what will happen in a few years and what thermal imaging and night vision of the future will appear before us. It is difficult to predict this, but it is possible to single out a list of priority areas that will receive the most attention shortly.

Priority directions of modernization:

1. Universalization. Both technologies are already indispensable in many human activities. They are popular with military personnel and civilians who operate devices based on them. However, in the future, manufacturers of such optics will try to make it more versatile. This will lead to the need to change the technology itself. The result will be its significant modernization, thanks to which it will be possible to satisfy the needs of all categories of users. All of the above is inevitable, so there is no doubt about the priority of this direction.
2. Maximum ease of use. Modern devices based on both technologies can be challenging to operate. This is explained by the need for more user awareness and the need to perform many optional actions. The situation will undoubtedly be corrected in the future, and the optics control will become as simple as possible. Another essential aspect that affects usability is the size and weight of the equipment. Modern models are compact and lightweight, but perfection is not limited. Every year they will become smaller in size and lighter in weight. This can be achieved using more compact components made from innovative materials with reduced weight. This is a complex process that takes some time. However, his success already now seems inevitable.
3. Efficiency. The first nightlights were so slow that they reacted to user commands with a delay of several seconds. With the development of technology, it was possible to correct the situation, but the idea is still far enough away. In this regard, much attention will be paid to accelerating all processes occurring in equipment with thermal imaging and night vision. It is still difficult to say how this will be achieved, but work in this direction is already being carried out quite actively. Night optics of the future will respond more quickly to user commands. In addition, it will process the collected light and infrared radiation faster. This will reduce the time delays that cause the visible image to lag slightly behind the actual events.
4. Increasing reliability. Another priority will be the creation of more reliable devices. Nowadays, this indicator is not at a reasonable level in all models, which creates many problems for users. In the future, the reliability of different types of night optics will be much higher. This will be achieved through the introduction of modern developments, as well as the use of the highest quality components in production. In addition, thermal imaging and night vision technologies will become more advanced, and their use will guarantee the long-term operation of the equipment.
5. Improving the clarity of the image. The principle of operation of both technologies comes down to one thing - the formation of an image on the device's display. Even now, it is pretty straightforward and detailed, which makes it possible to distinguish the observed objects well and see all the small nuances. However, the developers will continue. In the future, thermal imaging and night vision will become more advanced, reducing defects, increasing resolution, and improving overall image quality. In some cases, this will be a crucial factor because equipment using both technologies will begin to be actively integrated into one field of activity.
6. Price reduction. The first cars, televisions, and computers were so expensive that only the wealthiest people in the world could afford them. Over time, the situation has changed, and all the listed products are available to everyone. The same will happen with devices based on thermal imaging and night vision. Now they are still quite expensive, but gradually their cost is decreasing. This is due to increased competition, saturation of the market with these goods, and a decrease in the cost of production. All these factors will affect the cost of night optics for many decades. Therefore, price reduction is a mandatory component of developing both technologies.
7. Combination of technologies. Night vision and thermal imaging were developed in parallel. Despite significant differences between technologies, they still have a lot in common. It is this feature that the developers of night optics plan to use. Shortly, all manufactured devices will combine the capabilities of both technologies. This will make each model as versatile and practical as possible when performing several dozen tasks of varying degrees of complexity. It is expected that the images created by night vision and thermal imaging will be superimposed on each other. As a result, the user will see a more informative picture that can bring much more benefits.
8. Adding new options. To make any device as versatile as possible, you must expand its functionality. This simple rule also applies to night optics. Its modern models often have many essential and additional options that open up more user opportunities. In the future, the width of the functionality will be an even higher priority for development than it is now. It is expected to emerge new exciting features that are difficult to imagine in combination with thermal imaging and night vision. However, nothing is impossible, so something new in this direction can be expected soon enough.

Future applications

Few people can predict what night vision and thermal imaging will be like shortly. An even more difficult task is to draw up options for using improved technologies. However, if we consider the priority development paths and experts' forecasts, we can successfully cope with this task.

Options for applying improved technologies in the future:

1. Military action. Initially, both technologies were created for military use. Therefore, throughout their history, their primary users have been soldiers. The situation has stayed the same in our time. Now modern models of night optics are an indispensable element of equipment used in various divisions. The situation is likely to remain the same in the future. All innovative models will become available to military personnel and will only be sold to civilians. For military purposes, such devices will be used even more often. They will become assistants to all soldiers without exception and will also help in the management of military equipment. In addition, the use of night vision and thermal imaging on combat drones and other unmanned vehicles will be significantly expanded.
2. Medical diagnostics. Doctors use both technologies in many areas of medicine to perform various diagnostic procedures. With their help, it is possible to assess the patient's condition and find signs of developing disease. In addition, this approach allows you to make a more accurate diagnosis and prescribe the most effective treatment. In the future, medical equipment that uses night vision and thermal imaging will become even more helpful. It will be able to detect with 100% accuracy even diseases initially invisible to doctors, thereby giving a certain margin of time for taking prompt measures to eliminate the existing problem. In addition, both technologies will soon be integrated into all areas of medicine, maximizing the quality of diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
3. Saving people. In the future, people will not stop getting into trouble, and rescuers will still come to their aid. Whether they will be people or replaced by robots has yet to be determined, but we can say that all of them will become more active in using night vision and thermal imaging. Both technologies are already helping to find lost people, rescue them from fire and water, and get them out from under the rubble of buildings. Their gradual improvement will make it possible to carry out many other rescue operations. The night optics used in them will be an even more helpful tool to achieve their goals. Thanks to its capabilities, the likelihood of saving people in trouble will be much higher.
4. Creation of unmanned vehicles. In the automotive industry, one of the main areas of development is the creation of unmanned vehicles. The first developments are already available in our time but still need to be improved. Gradually, such cars will be improved due to many factors. Thermal imaging and night vision will play an essential role in this modernization. Both technologies are slowly being integrated into the driving process. In the future, they will completely replace drivers, radically changing the road situation. This will significantly reduce the number of accidents, and thousands of human lives will be saved. The percentage of traffic violations will also drop to almost zero, positively affecting the safety of passengers and pedestrians.
5. Improving flight safety. Aviation is one of the leading areas where modern developments are actively introduced. Night vision and thermal imaging have been used in this industry for quite a long time. With their help, they reduce the influence of a person on the process of controlling an aircraft or helicopter, automatically reducing the risk of creating emergencies. Despite all the engineers' attempts, it has not been possible to get rid of the pilots completely. In the future, their impact on the flight process will be minimized. Because of this, the pilots will play the role of an insurer who, in the event of any problems, will take control of the aircraft in their own hands. Also, a more significant impact of technology will be observed in takeoff and landing, considered the most dangerous stages of any flight.
6. Non-stop production. With the world's population increase, the demand for certain types of goods and services will increase. To satisfy all the needs of mankind, it will be necessary to establish non-stop production. In cases where the work is done not by robots but by people, this can only be achieved with the help of night vision and thermal imaging. These technologies will become available in all enterprises, making it possible to work safely at night. Thanks to this, more industries will appear where a three-shift schedule is used, which allows continuous production.
7. Automation of security measures. Every year the work of a security guard becomes easier. Often it comes down to observing the image from day and night cameras installed around the entire perimeter of the protected area. In the future, the guard's work will be even more automated. It is expected that cameras of the future, using night vision and thermal imaging, will be able to independently detect and identify intruders and notify those involved in protecting the territory. This will not only simplify the task of the security guard but also help eliminate the human factor's negative impact, due to which various troubles often occur.
8. Hunting and fishing. The emergence of new gadgets and other modern devices will not reduce people's interest in hunting and fishing. These two entertainments are very popular, and the situation will likely remain the same. Nevertheless, modern developments will be gradually integrated into this lesson. Many lovers of night fishing and hunting are actively using the possibilities of thermal imaging and night vision. It helps you find and shoot animals, keep track of gear, choose the best movement route, and find the perfect place for an event. A few years later, improved night optics will further expand the capabilities of hunters and fishing enthusiasts, turning their hobby into the most comfortable and exciting activity.
9. Search for new species of plants and animals. Wildlife is diverse, so scientists often make extraordinary discoveries and discover species of animals or plants that have not been previously studied. Especially many of these discoveries occur in hard-to-reach places, such as caves, gorges, and high mountain regions. You will need night vision or thermal imaging to get there and look for new representatives of the flora and fauna. They will make up for the lack of light and increase the chances of success. The gradual development of both technologies will make night optics more perfect. It will be able to work even more effectively under challenging conditions, which will simplify the tasks of scientists as much as possible.
10. Keeping the excellent condition of various works of art. Over the years, old paintings, frescoes, and other art pieces have lost their attractive appearance. To maintain it, restorers take multiple measures, and thermal imaging and night vision help them. These technologies are used to monitor the state of the world's masterpieces. Their help makes it possible to detect various invisible defects in the human eye. In the future, improved equipment will be available to people to increase the efficiency of such work. The result will be the timely identification of various problems, eliminating which it will be possible to save hundreds of works of art.

You can talk about the future for a very long time, and endlessly in the case of thermal imaging and night vision. These technologies are now in active development, so predicting what awaits us shortly is difficult. However, studying all the information on this issue makes it possible to identify the main areas of modernization in which a significant breakthrough should be expected. Each of them will bring something new that will make both technologies more advanced and helpful to people. It has yet to be discovered precisely what night devices will be like in 3, 5, or 10 years, but it is safe to say that thermal imaging and night vision have a bright future.