The Wizarding World in the real world: tech that feels like magic

Today, many technologies mirror magical objects and spells from the series – not through enchantments, but through engineering.

Here's a look at some of the most iconic magical concepts and their modern-day equivalents.

The Marauder’s Map → real-time location tracking

The Marauder’s Map, with its ability to show everyone’s live position at Hogwarts, once seemed pure fantasy. Today, GPS and Bluetooth-enabled location tracking offers a similar – if less parchment-based – experience.

From smartphone apps that allow parents to track their children, to asset tracking tags used in logistics and retail, the magic of real-time positioning is now routine. Meanwhile, in indoor environments like shopping centres or stadiums, Bluetooth beacons and Wi-Fi triangulation fill in where satellites cannot.

Invisibility Cloak → optical camouflage

While a true Invisibility Cloak remains elusive, researchers have developed prototypes of “’active camouflage’ using metamaterials and display technologies.

By bending light around an object or projecting real-time imagery from behind onto its surface, scientists have created limited forms of visual cloaking. In Japan, for example, experimental ‘invisibility cloaks’ use retro-reflective materials and image projection to make the wearer appear transparent – albeit only from specific angles.

Howlers → voice notes with attitude

The Howler – a self-destructing, voice-delivered reprimand – might not exist, but voice notes, scheduled emails, and smart speakers capture much of its function. Pair this with custom notification sounds, and it's not hard to imagine Molly Weasley’s angry voice bellowing through your Alexa or smartphone.

Some messaging platforms even allow you to retract or time-limit messages, mimicking the ephemerality of magical communications.

The Pensieve → wearable memory banks

Dumbledore’s Pensieve allowed memories to be extracted and revisited in vivid, immersive detail. While we don’t yet siphon thoughts from our temples, technologies such as virtual reality (VR) and AI-powered journaling tools are edging closer to a digital analogue.

VR headsets allow users to step inside recorded experiences. Meanwhile, wearable devices like smart glasses and AI companions are evolving towards passive memory recording – raising questions about the future of recall, privacy, and subjective truth.

The Deluminator → smart lighting and remote control

Dumbledore’s Deluminator could snuff out and recall lights at a distance – a concept no longer magical in the age of the Internet of Things (IoT).

Smart lighting systems now allow users to control household lights via phone or voice assistant from anywhere in the world. Combined with automation rules and geofencing, they can mimic occupancy, support energy savings, or – like the Deluminator – light a path when needed.

Magical portraits → AI avatars and chatbots

Portraits in Hogwarts offered not just static images, but interactive personalities based on the people they depicted. With the rise of Generative AI, similar experiences are beginning to emerge.

AI avatars can be trained on text, video, and voice data to simulate interactions with deceased public figures or fictional characters. Though still imperfect, the prospect of responsive, personality-rich digital interfaces is closer than ever.

Technology is the new magic

Arthur C. Clarke’s famous dictum, “Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”, rings especially true when viewed through the lens of the Wizarding World. Many of the artefacts and spells once confined to fiction now have functioning equivalents born of silicon, code, and clever design.

But perhaps the most magical aspect of all is the human imagination driving both worlds: one dreaming up spells, the other writing firmware. Both reveal the same truth – whether with a wand or a Wi-Fi chip, we are always trying to push the boundaries of what is possible.