From science fiction to science fact: how real is Star Wars?

"May the Fourth be with you" — a playful nod to the famous Star Wars greeting — has just passed. On this day, fans around the world celebrate their love for the iconic science fiction universe. What started in 1977 as an adventurous film has grown into one of the most beloved and influential franchises of all time. But science fiction is more than entertainment; it offers a glimpse into the future. So, what from Star Wars remains fiction, and what has become reality?

Let’s take a look at some of the most iconic technologies from the films and discover how close we really are to living in a Star Wars-like world.

Landspeeders and Hoverbikes
In Star Wars, vehicles that float just above the ground or soar through the air are the norm. Think of Luke Skywalker’s landspeeder or the airspeeders racing through cityscapes. That technology may seem far off, but it's getting closer. Maglev trains in China are already reaching speeds of 450 km/h (280 mph). And consider hoverbikes like the Xturismo from Japan — a flying motorcycle that can reach 100 km/h (62 mph) and stay aloft for 40 minutes. Companies like Hoversurf are also developing models that truly lift off the ground. No Jedi license required.

The 3D Messages of the Future
"Help me, Obi-Wan Kenobi. You’re my only hope." This iconic scene from A New Hope shows Princess Leia appearing as a flickering blue hologram — but how realistic is such a 3D message in the real world?

Holograms have been around for a while, but the technology is still limited. What we often call 'holograms' today — such as performances by Michael Jackson — are actually 2D projections creating an illusion of depth. True 3D holograms like those in Star Wars don't exist yet. However, companies like Voxon Photonics are working on displays that show real 3D holograms. So who knows? Maybe in the future, we’ll be sending video messages without any screens — just like Leia’s desperate call for help.

Lightsabers Exist
Unlike holograms, lightsabers actually do exist — at least, there are working prototypes. Hacksmith Industries has built a functioning prototype that can cut through metal, reaching temperatures of 4000 degrees. The power for this ‘protosaber’ comes from a large generator worn as a backpack. You might almost think they’re auditioning for Ghostbusters instead of Star Wars!

The Force in Real Life
“The Force is what gives a Jedi his power. It’s an energy field created by all living things. It surrounds us and penetrates us. It binds the galaxy together,” explains Obi-Wan Kenobi in A New Hope.

In Star Wars, the Force is explained through midi-chlorians, microscopic life forms that connect living beings — a concept reminiscent of mitochondria in our own cells, the powerhouses of the cell. But is it possible to harness something like the Force in real life? Biohacking is opening new doors to push the boundaries of our physical and mental capabilities, from genetic modifications to technological enhancements. Would you modify yourself to develop your own superpowers? Or will the Force forever remain the realm of the Jedi?

What seems like science fiction today may very well become science fact tomorrow.