Heavy Weather by Bruce Sterling:
Science Fiction Inventions, Technology and Ideas

Very enjoyable story by Sterling; published in 1994. The Storm Troupe chases monster storms pounding the southwestern US, which has been laid waste by greenhouse effect changes. Select an invention:

Dope Mule Robot - fast delivery in a pinch
A metal sphere that propels itself with a single piston-like foot.

Electronic Cash
A digital currency, like Bitcoin.

Flexible Car Map
A nonrigid map that extrudes from the dashboard of a car when needed.

Smart Piston Spokes
A car that uses a set of pistons that feels and reacts to the surface to move around.

Smart Rope
Long 'rope' consisting of a variety of intertwined cables with different properties; controlled with special glove interface.

Virtuality Helmet ('Virching' Helmet)
A helmet with a communication system and a display; a pilot wearing this helmet could sit on the ground and control a distant aircraft.

 

Technovelgy.com is devoted to the creative inventions of science fiction authors and movie makers. Look for the Science Fiction Invention Category that interests you, the Glossary of Science Fiction Inventions, the Timeline of Science Fiction Inventions, or see what's New.
Find new authors and technologies - Shop for yourself, your library and your lab.

 

 

 

 

Science Fiction
in the News

Robot Bees 3D Printed By Festo
re: Ernst Junger
(7/21/2026)

DIY Robot Scorpion Crushes It
re: Neal Asher
(7/17/2026)

How To Settle An Argument Between Two Robots
re: Frederik Pohl
(7/15/2026)

The Wind Phone Calls Those Who Have Passed On
re: John Brunner
(7/13/2026)

Don't Want To Wear A TIght Shiny Bodysuit?
re: Robert Heinlein
(7/11/2026)

Light Society: Simulates Earth-Scale Society With A Billion AI Agents
re: Stanislaw Lem
(7/9/2026)

Satyress Centaur Robot Horror Reminds Everyone Of Something
re: Christopher Stasheff
(7/7/2026)

When Colds Threaten You Can't Do This - Or Can You?
re: F.L. Wallace
(7/5/2026)

Beautiful Visualization of Dawn Spacecraft
re: Isaac Asimov
(7/3/2026)

Biological War: A Scenario
re: HG Wells
(7/1/2026)

Pole-Dancing Stripperbot Robot
re: Jerome K. Jerome
(6/29/2026)

Collective Superintelligence Is At Hand!
re: Edmond Hamilton
(6/27/2026)

Instant Journalists: Ordinary People With Cell Phones
re: David Brin
(6/25/2026)

Health Kiosk Has No Human Doctor
re: Michael Crichton
(6/23/2026)

More SF in the News
Home | Glossary | Invention Timeline | Category | New | Contact Us | FAQ | Advertise |
Technovelgy.com - where science meets fiction™
Copyright© Technovelgy LLC; all rights reserved.