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Finding a job 20 Types of Technology: Definitions and Examples

20 Types of Technology: Definitions and

Examples
Indeed Editorial Team

Updated July 31, 2023

Most people use some form of technology every day of their lives. There are many different types of
technology, and each one has unique functions that aim to make certain processes more efficient. With
a better understanding of different types of technology, you can learn how each type of technology
can help improve your daily life, and perhaps, this knowledge can even help you develop a desire for a
career in technology.

In this article, we discuss what technology is and list 20 common technology types.

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What is technology?
Technology is the product of transferring scientific knowledge to practical use. Different forms of
technology are the result of people trying to find more efficient ways to do things and testing new
ideas. Technology is constantly improving and generally aims to make processes easier for people. For
example, the internet makes communication easier and more efficient. While a single piece of
technology often overlaps into different areas, there are generally six different categories of
technology: communication, electrical, energy, manufacturing, medical and transportation.

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6 common types of technology

Here are six different categories of technology with examples for each:

1. Communication
Communication technology consists of any pieces of technology people use to communicate with one
another. Some early examples of communication technology include Morse code and the telegraph.
Below are some examples of more modern communication technologies:

Television

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Television sets transmit signals over which we can listen to and view audio and visual content. People
use television to communicate important messages, advertisements, entertainment and more. Most
televisions receive signals from a cable wire or over the internet, which relays signals that direct a
television set on what content to display.

Internet
Many people consider the internet to be the most popular and powerful communication technology. It
allows people from around the world to interact through written messages, as well as audio and video
messages. With the internet, users can communicate almost instantaneously with anyone else and
share information. This makes it a powerful tool for businesses, charities, governments and individuals
among many others.

Cell phones
Cell phones are a modern improvement over the telephone. With a cell phone, people have the ability to
call other phones and have a conversation with people across the world. Many phones are also capable
of connecting to the internet, which allows users to communicate in other ways, such as text messages
or video chats.

2. Electrical
Many pieces of modern technology use electricity in some form. A few examples of electrical
technology include:

Computers
Computers operate through a rapid pulsing of electrical currents. Their core foundation of computers
is binary code, which determines whether there is an electrical current. Depending on the order in
which the device receives these currents, a computer performs different functions. People use
computers to access the internet and print physical copies of digital content among other functions.

Circuitry
A collection of electrical components that perform a particular function is a circuit. An example of an
electrical circuit is a computer processor, which is a small component that translates electrical signals
into computer code. Electrical circuits exist in many modern-day items, such as computers, remote
controls, cell phones, appliances and more.

Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a computer system designed to make decisions and perform actions
autonomously. There are varying degrees of artificial intelligence sophistication in many of our daily
tasks. For example, online navigation apps use artificial intelligence to analyze the best route for a

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traveler based on traffic, road closures and more. Another example is search engines, which use
artificial intelligence to determine the best results to display for each unique user.

Related: What Is Artificial Intelligence?

Software
Software includes the programs a computer uses to function properly. Most software aims to provide
entertainment to users or make tasks more efficient. For example, word processing software makes it
easier to create and edit documents when compared to older forms of technology such as a typewriter.

Audio and visual technology

Audio and visual technology consists of items such as cameras, microphones and projectors. Their
purpose is to capture and display audio and visual mediums to users. Audio and visual technology often
combines with other forms of technology, such as cellphones, to provide camera functionality, for
example.

3. Energy
Energy technology aims to help generate, store and transmit energy for a variety of purposes.
Common examples of energy technology include:

Solar panels
Solar panels use energy from the sun's rays to generate power. People use these panels to power
things such as buildings, homes, outdoor lighting systems, water heating systems and more. Solar
panels are a form of renewable energy, which is becoming a more popular form of energy generation
due to its lack of carbon emissions.

Related: Guide To Becoming a Solar Installer

Wind turbines
Wind turbines use propellers to generate wind energy. They are typically tall pillars located in open
plains or within the ocean where winds are strongest and generate the most energy. As propellers spin,
they generate energy, which the turbine then stores in a battery or transmits directly to a desired
source.

Batteries
Batteries store energy for later consumption, and people use these to power other forms of
technology such as a television remote. They range in size—from small batteries in items such as
watches to larger batteries for use inside cars or large solar panel installations. There have been great

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improvements in battery technology recently, with batteries now having the ability to store more
energy for longer periods of time.

4. Mechanical
Mechanical technology is the application of engineering principles to achieve tasks more efficiently.
People use this technology in a wide variety of machinery, with some common examples of mechanical
technology including:

Manufacturing
Manufacturing technology aims to produce goods faster and in a more cost-effective manner. A
popular example of manufacturing technology is an assembly line, which greatly improved the speed of
production processes. Manufacturing technology's benefits also include product quality
improvements, better tracking and systems analysis, faster shipping speeds and enhanced employee
safety.

Heavy engineering
Heavy engineering technology helps professionals perform tasks such as building bridges or digging
tunnels. It helps transport heavy materials, dig holes into the ground and make construction processes
more efficient. Other areas of heavy engineering include shipbuilding, mining, steel production and
aerospace engineering.

Related: How To Become a Heavy Equipment Operator

5. Medical
Medical technology helps improve people's quality of life in a number of ways. Some examples include:

Diagnostics
Diagnostic technology helps medical professionals attain more information about a patient. Examples
of diagnostic technology include thermometers, MRIs, X-ray machines, electrocardiographs and
stethoscopes. With these tools, medical professionals can make better treatment decisions and explore
parts of the human body that would be impossible to analyze otherwise.

Pharmaceutical
The development and improvement of medicine results in better pharmaceutical technology. Using
different technologies, such as nanotechnology, microenvironments and artificial organs, researchers
learn more about how different substances impact humans. They can then develop different
prescription drugs, with the aim of curing or significantly decreasing instances of harmful disease.

Surgical

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Surgical technology allows surgeons to perform complex operations. Some recent examples include
smart surgical glasses that display essential information directly within a surgeon's glasses and remote
robotics, which allow surgeons to operate remotely with increased precision. Surgical technology
assists in every type of surgery—from basic procedures such as appendectomies to more complex
types such as spinal or brain surgery.

Related: Learn About Being a Surgeon

Monitoring
To monitor the health and status of a patient, healthcare professionals increasingly rely on technology.
A common example is smartwatches, which can monitor biometric data such as heart rates and quality
of sleep. Other monitoring technology includes devices implanted directly into a patient that provide
even more advanced monitoring capabilities to healthcare professionals.

6. Transportation
It's much easier to travel than it once was thanks to improvements in technology. Examples of
transportation technology include:

GPS
GPS, or a Global Positioning System, is a piece of technology that can pinpoint locations on earth from
satellites in earth's orbit. Using this technology, we can now receive real-time directions, monitor the
transit of different objects or record precise time measurements. GPS is a feature in many devices such
as smartwatches and larger tracking systems used by corporations and governments.

Flight
Flight technology has become safer and more efficient over time. We use flight technology in a number
of ways—from the construction of planes to navigation equipment on an aircraft. Improvements in
flight technology are even more apparent in space flight, which occurs fairly regularly.

Vehicles
Similar to flight technology, vehicles are now faster and safer. In addition, they are more fuel-efficient
and comfortable and often provide entertainment options, as well. Vehicle technology has improved
the way engines run, the safety features within vehicles, such as airbags, and the entertainment
options available in a car.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most important technology skills for work?

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Which technology skills are most important depends on your industry and specific role. These are
some technical skills that may be useful in many roles:

Data collection

Spreadsheets

Presentations

Word processing

Email

Troubleshooting

How does technology affect the workplace?

Technology can help improve processes and communications in the workplace. It can also offer
distractions that slow down productivity, so it's helpful to be aware of how technology affects you at
work. Try to only implement the use of technology that enhances your processes, like automation
software or productivity tracking apps.

Can technology help improve deep work?

Deep work is when you can focus completely on a single task and optimize your efficiency. Some
technology, like headphones, timers and automated email responses, can help you improve your
deep work.

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