There’s never been a more exciting year to get into tech. With 2018 just around the corner, it’s a good time to look back on the year that was in technology, and 2017 was a banner year for every sector of the industry. Whether you’re looking to get into telecommunications, robotics, or consumer electronics, there was something to inspire you and fire your imagination this year. To help you get excited about building the future, we’ve rounded up a few of what we thought were the most transformative technologies announced, demoed or released this year. A mix of revolutionary new technologies and innovative evolutions on existing concepts, they represent some of the most exciting new lines of thought for tech workers around the world. Read on and get acquainted with the future.

Self-driving trucks

In November, we got one step closer to transforming logistics forever. Elon Musk demonstrated the Tesla Semi – a fully electric semi-truck capable of hauling nearly 40,000 kilograms over more than 800 kilometres without a charge. While not in and of itself a self-driving truck, it comes equipped with Tesla’s Enhanced Autopilot feature, allowing it to automatically brake, keep to its lane and provide lane departure warnings without driver intervention when on highways, helping to reduce incidents and collisions on long drives. It additional represents the first commercialisation attempt at the self-driving truck concept, which is currently being explored in a more advanced capacity by a number of companies including Otto, owned by Uber; Embark, partnered with truck manufacturer Peterbilt; Waymo, owned by Google.

Raspberry Pi Zero W

The Raspberry Pi family of microprocessors has been commercially available since 2012 and has come far in the previous five years. This year, they launched an upgrade of the Raspberry Pi Zero equipped with a Bluetooth antenna and a wireless receiver, simplifying the process of building low-cost computers. Available for as little as $10, it represents a newer, easier way to construct ultralight computers, especially useful in places with low rates of computer ownership, helping to connect the globe.

Google Pixel Buds

A new take on headphones, the Google Pixel Buds allow live translation of foreign languages, finally realising a dream pursed by inventers for decades. Simply connect the earbuds to your Pixel or Pixel 2 phone, push the button on your earbuds and have the other conversation participant speak into your phone, and you’ll hear it in your preferred language. If you’re interested in joining the tech industry and making the most of your existing skillset, speak to the team at Skills Certified to find out how you could get recognised for your hard work with a nationally-recognised qualification.