Course Reflection - Hillinger

Course Reflection - Hillinger

Carlos Hillinger -AE410 - B7

Final Reflection

          AE 410 has successfully given me a better perspective of not only intelligent buildings, but the construction world as well. I believe that teaching us different technologies and emerging systems in the present world, was like giving us the tools we need to have a better understanding of how the construction world is evolving and how we can evolve with it. I would also like to share that in my opinion the course is structured perfectly. We are given an introduction to Revit with an assignment, that will later help us understand the way BIM programs work. Then, we were asked to create a database in Access, which not only taught us a new software, but also served as a great introduction to database programming, and sensors. The database assignment helped us begin to understand how Intelligent buildings work, by having databases, sensors and a software that allow us to manipulate the building's constraints. 

          Adding on, the guest lecturers and the videos were all very interesting and helpful, they would relate to a certain topic introduced by Prof. Mitchell, and at the same time explain a whole new topic. I believe that no other class had given us an introduction to futuristic technologies like AE 410. Even though we might have heard of some of them, we had not really dug into topics such as concrete 3D printing, BIM, Drone Scanning, Artificial Intelligence, etc. If I had to choose my favorite thing about this course, I would certainly choose the Database assignment and the in-class videos. The database assignment introduces a not only unknown, but very practical topic for an engineer, and in-class videos provided vast explanations of the topics Prof. Mitchell introduced in class. On the other hand, if I could change something about this course, I would probably try to make the class more engaging and increase participation. For example, some in-class videos could be watched at home with a short reflection, and we could use that time in class for activities related to futuristic interesting topics. An example activity could be a breakdown sketch of how 3D printing concrete works. 

          All in all, I believe that classes like this are the ones that set Drexel apart from other universities. Most universities will teach you the same subjects with very few variations, but courses like Intelligent Buildings give Drexel students an advantage over other graduates, since it makes us aware of how the construction world is evolving, and how we can and should evolve with it. 

Main Source:

Carlos Hillinger: in-class experience.

Comments:

Joshua:

Joshua, Thanks for sharing your reflection with us. I see that you liked certain things about the course that I also included in my post, such as how green structures can be innovated. I also liked that you particularly mentioned energy capture for sustainability, it was certainly one of the most interesting topics over the term. Your post is very specific and self explanatory, good work.

Allison:

Allison, I believe that that your post is very honest and accurate. I also found Derek's lecture quite interesting, BIM is definitely one of the topics I was looking forward in this class and he made an excellent job explaining it. The online guest lecturer we had on intelligent building was also helpful to introduce the BIM topic to the class. I agree on your comments about the database assignments and how it relates to INFO 210. Great post!

Thomas:

Thomas, In my opinion your post was very accurate and specific. I like how you used your own real life example from  your future job to show how useful this class is and how the construction world is evolving. I agree, Dynamo is a tool that we will be using more and more, especially for structural members. Maybe it would have been helpful to have a short assignment related to Dynamo as a short intro to what we might encounter in our jobs. Thanks for sharing, great post. 

Term Project Description - Hillinger

Carlos Hillinger - AE410 - B4

Term Project

     My project is going to explain how we can use new emerging technologies to improve lives in developing countries. It will explain how the use of technologies that are changing the way we build in developed countries can directly impact in the economy and development of underdeveloped countries. The project will focus on solving construction-related problems, but will also address other areas such as healthcare and farming.

     I will address the main factors impacting the difficulty to develop of some countries and compare them to other countries with similar characteristics that have managed to developed. This factors are the countries' government and their geography & meteorology. I will also include some benefits of building in such countries, such as less regulations that will make engineers' lives easier. 

Other topics I will address are "main problems to be solved" and "technologies already being implemented" in the construction industry of developing countries. I will vaguely research and write on most topics because I do not want to loose focus on my main point, which is how to implement new technologies to improve construction and lifestyle in developing countries. As I will focus on construction, I will also write about improving farming, healthcare and resource provision, which in my opinion are critical to think about when looking to improve a lifestyle or construction methods. 

The main technologies I will research on, and think how to apply them will be: "3D Printing", "BIM technologies", "Robotics" and "Online Education". Most of the previously stated technologies we have talked about in class. The reason why I included Online Education is because it is "newly" developed technology, and because I believe that to improve a country you can't just do things for them, but show them how to do them, give them the tools, and allow them to build their own country.

I will finish my project by showing two real life scenarios and how to improve those countries with the technologies I researched and each of their unique characteristics. So far, I chose to use Venezuela and Madagascar as my scenarios, because of their uniqueness, but I may end up changing them.

Finally, I will write a conclusion on whether I think my research was helpful and how someone (or me) could continue to research and write about this topic. I hope my topic will help my classmates understand how to address construction problems in undeveloped countries with technology, and make them aware of their situations to inspire them to contribute to this cause in the future.

Comments:

Kerry:

Kerry, I think you chose a very interesting topic. Technology is not something we can only use to improve the way we build, but also to improve the way we use our building. I think that appliances is something that definitely falls under ways of using our building. It could also be fun to look into other technological improvements that you can add to a construction. A good example is induction charging for electrical vehicles. It was actually implemented in a residential building for the first time here in Philadelphia, in the building Walnut 500, which opened this year. 

Sherry:
Sherry, I enjoyed reading your post, it is definitely a very important technology to look at. The advances in BIM and Revit will allow us to change we build and change the way we address a problem in any construction. I like that you mentioned that Revit could help you predict how would a building react to extreme weather conditions. It is a long shots but with good research as backup, you could make some very interesting points about it. 

Nay Ye Oo:
Sonny, I think yours is one of the most interesting topics I have read so far. Maybe I find it interesting because I also share a concern for all these emerging technologies. It is something I will also consider in my project, maybe not to the same extent, but will definitely share a similar perspective to yours. I also think that advances in construction is going to affect the amount of engineers needed in the field, but I would predict at least 10 years until we see an important impact. I would love to read your project once you are done, as well as discuss this problems in class. Great topic.

Nay Ye Oo - What are the possible future problems with Revit/BIM?

What are the possible future problems with Revit/BIM?

With any type of new change (in the field of technology), there will be positive and negative attributes. This post will be focusing on the potential problems that will arise with Revit/BIM. Listed below are the core reasons that was discussed in class.

Forgetting the Roots

As we know, the origin of drafting began with basic pencil and paper which evolved to computer drafting with AutoCAD. AutoCAD essentially does the pencil and paper but in a more efficient manner. However, once Revit/BIM was introduced into our industry, a lot of walls are being shattered because it is basically a game changer. As newer and newer technology tries to improve our tools, we too evolve with it and at one point, we start to forget our roots. This generation of people will not know how to draft using pencil-and-paper. Instead our first drafting lesson will most likely be in AutoCAD. Based on this trend the same analogy can be applied. Soon the next generation will forget the fundamentals of drafting and start with Revit/BIM.

The issue with this is that, we tend to lose some level of knowledge as we transition from one method to the next. And soon, as software become easier and easier to learn and use (interface-wise), we will lose some knowledge that can only be understood using older techniques/methods which would be obsolete by then.

Old cannot keep up with New

Another issue is the inability for old recorded databases and archives to be updated to new software. As we slowly transition from an AutoCAD driven industry to Revit/BIM, we face the issues of conversion. New software cannot read/interact with old files and it is cost ineffective to update/convert all previously recorded data and files.

Engineers no longer needed

Another threat to us engineers is the amount of pre-requisites/knowledge needed to draft or create a model. This definitely sounds stupid and impossible right now but in the future (perhaps 20+ years from now), we might have created better programs with easier learning curves that will no longer require technical knowledge. This bodes bad to us engineers, as the job market might be more open with more competition. (Potentially less pay)

Comments:

Dung,


I like how you pointed out if hardware could keep up with software advances. Just like Moor's law, technology is exponentially increasing but can we physically keep up and utilize this new upgrade? However, I am not convinced enough that Revit/BIM will be capable of design decisions unless AI has advanced to that level of sophistication. But who knows? AI is already breaking grounds every other month nowadays so it could be possible in the near future.

Zac,

Great job on giving your analysis of the differences between AutoCAD and Revit. I agree with your explanation to how CAD is comparable to pen-and-paper while Revit is so much more. I also agree with the fact that Revit's real-time design process makes it very efficient for all different fields to interact and facilitate any issues during the design phase. However, since Revit is relatively new in the industry, I can't brush of the fact that not every company uses, let alone, is familiar with, Revit. This might create chaos during the design phase with real-time feature. For example, if one discipline dictates a design and the rest bases off of it, this first discipline has to make sure their design is the final one without changes. Because as the first one designs, the rest follows and any changes to the first design will affect the rest like a domino effect. Such a case would favor the disciplines to complete their design first and pass on their file rather than working simultaneously.

Future Advantages of Revit/BIM - Carlos Hillinger

Carlos Hillinger - AE410 - B3

Future Advantages of BIM

     In a world that is constantly being shaped by technology, futuristic ways of developing a building are emerging. Among the newest technologies related to the construction industry we can name: concrete 3D printers, brick-laying robots, AI, BIM programs, powerful laser cutters, and many more. And it does not take a genius to realize how technology has already been shaping the way we build today! It was not too long ago when people designed structures with only pen and paper, developed buildings with an organized book and used techniques that seem ancient to us to put together a building. After looking at the advances in construction in technology, the first question that comes to my mind, is, What's next?

     According to Mark Chidwick, "The adoption of collaborative ecosystems combined with the modernization of traditional processes and the introduction of information management technologies will provide the environment necessary to support the needed cultural change in the industry". This is a very interesting article that introduces the use of BIM as a new revolution. They explain how the Agricultural, Industrial and Information Revolutions have been shaping the world, and how BIM is going to create a new revolution, which they call, the Ecosystem Revolution. The Ecosystem Revolution consists in the integration of various disciplines to solve complex problems, and this is achieved through technologies such as BIM. BIM is definitely going to change the way people approach a project, it will look for integration and workflow among all the areas of of a construction and set them together in one place, in order to provide the smarter and most efficient solution. It is a process that will probably take few years, since there is a lot of techniques and information that we need to teach these technologies. But once the programs have more knowledge of constructions that even human beings, we are going to be the ones entering the parameters and they will be the ones designing and developing a project.

Source:

M. Chidwick, Shaping the Future of the Construction Industry. CanBIM, 2017 [Online]. Available: http://www.canbim.com/single-post/2017/10/31/Shaping-the-Future-of-the-Construction-Industry

Comments:

Jordan:
Jordan, I believe you make very good points by pointing out that buildings are soon to be designed by programs rather than people, I made some similar assumptions in my post. I did enjoy the video you shared, although I am not completely sure that programs are going to be extremely easy to use, I believe that there is always going to be some training required in order to be able to use the development tools that advances in technology will offer us.  

Tyler:
Tyler, I liked the way you introduced the use of Revit and BIM in the construction industry, I agree, it is a problem that projects developed in different tools are not able to easily translate into each other's formats. Could it possibly be a solution to create a programming code that would set constraints on how the files of every big construction program should be developed, in order to make it easily editable through other platforms? For example a monopoly of a big company such as Autodesk, in which they would own every emerging technology and make them operable among one another? Now with that been said, this may even cause a bigger problem, a slower rate of newly developed technologies. It is definitely a big topic to discuss, and I look forwards to hearing what professor Mitchell has to say about it. 

Andrew:
Andrew, you wrote a very nice introduction on Revit and BIM, I believe that sharing your own experience is always a good way of getting people into context of what you are writing about. Interoperability among programs is a problem that many have addressed and I share the same point of view. You also went into detail even compared programs like eQuest to other programs like Revit. Maybe another big problem could be that the rate of machines replacing humans will start to grow exponentially again, like in the industrial revolution? It is definitely a big problem for a big discussion and I'm looking forward to talk about it in class.

Future Problems with Revit/BIM

Week 4: What are the possible future problems with Revit/BIM?

Some problems that BIM could face in the future include technology becoming too advanced or too simplified. Although a certain amount of user friendly aspects need to be maintained, it would significantly decrease the usability for authorized construction aspects of the program if it were to be made too simple. Along with that, there exist other similar programs which could be described as simpler versions of Revit, such as SketchUp that may be accessed by less advanced users.

In examination of BIM/Revit becoming too advanced too quickly could cause it to be too difficult to learn and not adopted as widely. However, BIM has a sort of monopoly on the construction fields since it is one of the most compatible methods of tying projects together completely. This would deem it very difficult to update, and looking at its history would prove that quick updates or advancement of the program are not the aim of Autodesk corporations. If it were to become too complicated, then all of the older generations within correlated work fields would be unable to perform as well in their jobs. This could lead to greater expenditures in training and other related matters which over time could add up significantly.

Other costs besides those that would have to be invested into necessary training implementations would be due to the program directly. Files containing a large amount of information such as structural and architectural details tend to be quite heavy. If these programs are going to get more detailed, then the files will get even heavier and this will require higher resolution viewing methods along with higher storage systems and rule out people/companies who don’t have the most updated software available for access. 


Comments: 

Mark - I very much agree with your outlook on BIM dependence factor. I never saw this as a downfall but now I can see clearly how too much trust in these types of software could likely get us into trouble. Perhaps even though hand drafting is very much a thing of the past, we should still try to incorporate it into a few college classes or internships so that our generation of engineers has a deeper understanding of methods and design. This could be helpful in aiding us in coming up with better ways to use BIM and get us accustomed to double checking everything in our computerized models instead of trusting them outright.

Cody – I like how you mentioned simple time cutting tasks that BIM can offer as advantages to its users through the use of added commands and coding. Also, I never knew that BIM incorporated energy analysis software. That is quite interesting and must be one of the smaller updates that they keep improving slowly over the years that you had mentioned. While I do agree that it is important for Autodesk to keep listening to its clients, I do believe that it is also important for them to concentrate on listening to the current client base for the best possible improvements to be made.

Lauren – Your post mostly goes to show that even though AutoCAD is a very useful tool, BIM is slightly better with its automated generation of things. For example, in different views such as an elevation, will be automatically created when a user has only created something such as a plan view. I have never heard of MicroStation, but I should look more into it. I do agree that on the surface Revit seems quite simple and easy to follow but mastering it takes a great level of dedication and time. I like how you point out that only so much can be perfected when it comes to AutoCAD and similar programs and therefore it is easier to manage unlike Revit software as one delves deeper into its intricacies.  

Abad - B3

What are the possible future advantages of Revit/ BIM?

Over the past few years, the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry has come a long way in terms of what was considered possible to construct. With the use of BIM modeling, companies have been able to reduce costs of projects while also producing high quality renderings and analysis of buildings. There are several advantages to using BIM and Revit in the AEC industry including increased cost and time efficiency, more accurate analysis and estimates, and reaching sustainability targets. However, I believe that the future of BIM and Revit will lead to more collaborative work, more complex simulations, and continuous improvement of construction efficiency.

With the AEC industry rapidly adopting BIM as the leading software used in the design and planning of new buildings, this will allow for improved collaboration between teams. Since building systems are integrated with each other, it is only natural that the teams behind each system should work together during the design and planning phase. BIM would provide teams a chance to work together from the start, instead of only working together when there are conflicts. This collaborative process would minimize any mistakes or errors in the design, which would reduce the amount of time during construction.

One of the advantages of using BIM software such as Revit is that they can run simulations that traditional pen and paper designs could never accomplish. BIM software can simulate real world elements such as sunlight, wind and snow loads, and can populate the building. While this is being used today, BIM software can be further implemented to reduce energy use and construct sustainable buildings. Eliminating areas of energy waste such as building heat losses and improving energy efficiencies by introducing energy efficiency measures is most likely path that would be the future of BIM modeling.

Overall, I believe the greatest advantage of using BIM today is its ability to improve construction efficiency. Companies have been able to produce more accurate cost estimates and check for conflicts in the construction sequence with the help of BIM software. BIM’s increased use over the past few years has had a large impact on the AEC industry and has lead to reduced costs and better time management. With the addition of more collaborative work and the ability to run more complex simulations, the most important future advantage of BIM is to increase productivity and efficiency during the construction phase.

Comments:

Thomas S,
I enjoyed reading your post on the current problems with Revit and BIM. I agree with you that most BIM software is lacking on a total building analysis standpoint. With the introduction of Dynamo, I wonder if companies will start to utilize it since the biggest roadblock is the learning curve and cost of the software. I do think that Dynamo will be on the forefront of a total building analysis but only question is how long will it be until it becomes universally accepted?

Jordan S,
I really liked reading through your post on what you thought of the advantages of BIM and Revit. I like how you referenced the video by Mr. Allen. I'm curious to know if the streamlined BIM that he discusses in his video will limit the creative aspect of the design process. While I do think that making the design process more efficient, I also think that have a program generate a best-case design is limiting for the designer.

Sarina T,
I found your post on the possible problems that BIM and Revit will have in the future to be very interesting. I agree with you that the biggest problem that BIM would have in the future is the integration between other programs. I do think that they wouldn't have to rely on other programs such as SAP2000 like you said. If companies start integrating Dynamo early, I think the integration would be much easier.

Shuster - B3: Future Advantages of Revit/BIM

We live in a time when science is advancing faster than ever and changing all aspects of design as we know them. Advancements in robotics, AI, databasing, 3D printing, and much more will all have definite impacts on how we perform design functions as architectural engineers. Specifically, as BIM programs such as Revit continue to become more in-depth and complex, they will have profound effects on building design. In his lecture, "The Future of BIM Will Not Be BIM - and It's Coming Faster Than You Think," engineer Bill Allen describes his vision of the future of BIM, and it's truly astounding. He describes that he believes the future of BIM is not as "Building Information Modeling," but rather as "Building Information Optimization." This means that instead of designing buildings like we do in BIM programs today, the process will be a streamlined one that requires less designer input. Currently, designing a building in Revit is done by drawing individual building components that come together to create the building. The designer has significant control over the building design but has to manually insert each one just the way it is supposed to be. By contrast, Allen sees the role of BIM in the future as much more comprehensive. Designers will no longer have to manually code every aspect of the building. Rather, they will input parameters and the program will use them to create the most optimized version of that building. As Allen shows in his video, this technology will be so streamlined and simple that it won't take an expert to design a building - even a child could do it, to a certain extent. This means that the design process will become quicker and much more efficient and, ideally, output even better designs than our designers today can produce. To take this a step further, I think this could be a great achievement, because once the design itself is optimized, designers can take more time to instead develop innovative aspects of the building, such as improved energy use, thermal efficiency, air quality, and more. I see a future with improved BIM as a future in which all aspects of building design are improved, both as a direct and an indirect result of the software itself.

Source: B. Allen, The Future of BIM Will Not Be BIM—and It's Coming Faster than You Think. Autodesk, 2016 [Online]. Available: http://au.autodesk.com/au-online/classes-on-demand/class-catalog/2016/revit/it22329#chapter=0

Comments:
Josh,

I'm really glad you brought up interdisciplinary communication in your post. It seems clear from my experiences that the only efficient way to design a building is to consider each discipline concurrently, so you don't end up with a completed structural plan for a building that doesn't take into account the plenum space needed for the HVAC ductwork, for example. I completely agree that BIM can be the answer to this communication dilemma, and something that greatly improves the way that each engineering discipline designs its space in relation to the others.

Kerry,
I absolutely agree with you that over-dependence on software is a big potential issue. It's great to have software that can design a building for us, but if we start relying on that too heavily and start to lose our own abilities - or have engineers who don't learn everything in the first place - we start to be unable to trouble shoot issues when they appear. Until such time as AI is fully developed to surpass human intelligence in the future, the BIM software itself is still unlikely to be able to catch and fix every situational failure that may occur, so human observation and intelligence is still a critical part of the design process.

Mark,
You bring up a very realistic problem. We are often so focused on the possibilities of what BIM can accomplish that we forget to consider the reality of whether it will be possible with the tools we can afford. You are absolutely right that many companies would not be able or willing to invest in completely new hardware because of yet another BIM advancement, especially in a future where BIM becomes exponentially more powerful every few years. Additionally, this puts additional strain on smaller companies who are already competing with larger companies with vastly greater resources - they'll continue to fall further and further behind as the technology that they can't afford continues to become increasingly efficient.

Future Advantages of BIM/ REVIT

BIM has become a hot-topic of sorts within the construction industry and has leaped forward greatly in terms of complexity within the last 5 years.  Much of the advances are based on correlation between differing discipline's software for a typical project.  To elaborate, the concepts involved in modeling an abstract facade of a building, which is becoming much more prominent, is a large task in and of itself, though remodeling such a component of the structure in a program such as Revit can be extremely challenging.  BIM advances have allowed for not only a simplified UI for the original creation, but an easy connection interface for an automatic model to be essentially carried over into Revit.

Another great aspect to BIM advances are the interdisciplinary communication allotted for not only initial system designs, but any changes made later on.  These systems are becoming so integrated that there is even object awareness built into HVAC programs to help avoid the classic issue of running ductwork or the like into structural components.  This is all perceived in real-time so any "collisions" can be tracked, edited, and resubmitted by the related system managers for each project.  This will allow for much faster, cleaner, and overall more efficient processes when designing, constructing, and following through on the life-cycle of a building.

Comments:

Sarina,

I couldn't agree more about the idea of all relevant programs making the same or similar advances in order to integrate properly.  This presents another problem within the software market as well.  Though Autodesk does own rights to the majority of the programs we've been discussing, it would inevitably become a monopoly rather quickly if this integration was necessary. Either that or there would be full systems of programs competing which would make for a very expensive market for designers.



Kerry,

I know precisely what you mean concerning the resource needs pertaining to these high-end software and their related components.  I have worked in small firms that struggled to simply integrate Revit into their workload.  This is mostly because these systems are sold in bulk to large firms for the convenience of it all.  This would make several small firms obsolete for commercial projects and therefore not very profitable overall.



Mark,

Your concern about trusting the reliability of the software not to make critical errors is certainly a common one.  It may seem redundant here, though perhaps there could be a secondary software to check if there are any collisions of sorts. Perhaps a software not inherent to the systems related to the original software that is used to create the BIM. 

Milligan - Blog Post 3

Future Problems with Revit / BIM

There are several foreseeable problems that could arise as the use of BIM and Revit increases in our industry. The first one, which is probably the most obvious, is the increased resources needed to keep up with the trends in BIM use. Firms may not have the appropriate hardware needed in order to use BIM in an efficient way, or they may not have the appropriate resources to use BIM for some or all of their projects. Obtaining the appropriate hardware is an added cost to the firm for them to stay relevant. This cost will eventually be relayed into project costs, driving up the price of design or construction. This leads to another potential problem, which is the temporary spike in design and construction costs while the industry adapts to this learning curve. However, lack of resources is not only relevant to hardware, there is a need for additional people resources, too. There needs to be some at each firm that specializes in this process and is able to bring the firm up to speed.

The other major problem that will be faced with the increased use of BIM and Revit is the development of overdependency on the software. Our entire education process is based on the idea of learning the “how” and “why” behind a process, learning to do it the long way, and then learning to take short cuts. Those short cuts are only valuable when you understand the process they are cutting out. As BIM becomes more popular in building design, and is able to take on more responsibility in the design process, it will be less necessary to have professionals able to do the process the long way. There could even reach a point where no professionals are able to do the process the long way. This creates a situation of overdependence on the results BIM is spitting out. If you are unable to do the process yourself, you are unable to understand if the model is giving you reasonable information. This is dangerous due to the possibility of receiving faulty information from a BIM model and not being able to tell that it is faulty until something fails. 

Comments:
Josh: It was interesting to read your post about the future advantages of BIM, compared to our group's assignment to consider the future problems with BIM. There is the question with future growth if the benefits will outweigh the potential problems. One benefit you discussed which helps to balance out future problems is the use of BIM for clash detection. While one of the potential problems is resources needed, as you point out, clash detection makes the design process easier and more efficient. This reduces the overall time needed for coordination processes.

Dung: You explained great details regarding the potential for modeling software to surpass the advances in computer hardware. It is a great point that not only will the amount of data become greater, but the power needed to graphically model the data will become much greater as well. Your story about a firm taking a hit in purchasing hardware that can support this modeling software I'm sure is prevalent in many firms. The fact that the firm was only able to purchase one station demonstrates another problem. Even if a firm as the capabilities to participate in BIM processes, it may be only on a limited scale, and there may be only one or two people in the firm that are able to participate in those processes.

Mark: You make great points about the different evolution rates between hardware and software and the problems that poses for BIM development in our industry. One thing that we didn't discuss as a group, which your post sparked me to think about, is the idea that it won't just be a one-time investment to be a part of the "BIM world." As the software continues to advance and grow, firms will be forced to continually invest in their hardware. It is not even just hardware that will need to be updated, but knowledge on the software as well. Each time a new release comes out, it will be up to someone in the firm to get trained and familiarized with the new updates for ease of use on projects.

Shuster - Term Paper Idea

I'd like to do a research paper about how databases, sensors, and AI can be used to develop innovative archival spaces within buildings. This would focus both on how they are being used today and also predictions for how they could be used in the future, once the technology has been developed to the appropriate extent.

AI & Safety

Implications of AI in relation to safety within our world and its future:

Although I believe that AI is capable of being a very useful source in helping us accomplish strenuous or time consuming tasks faster, more efficiently and more accurately, it also poses a possible threat to us as humans. Since our brains are only capable of containing so much information over a lifetime, we have a cap on how much we can accomplish. How I see AI is a type of creation that not only will outlive a human lifetime but can learn faster, better and more in shorter periods of time while retaining the ability to also live forever as well. I am worried that if we make them too efficient, they will learn how inefficient a human might be in comparison, thus posing a threat to us as humans in general just like the initial video we witnessed in class today.

Along with that, I am worried that some of the best minds in the world are also worried about how AI could alter our future. When some of the most intelligent people in existence fear something, it is probably a smart assumption to at least partially agree with their mindset. Even though there are a lot of possible ways that AI could improve our existence and future existence, it could also pose a real threat to our overall safety if it becomes significantly more intelligent than us. Maybe our generation wouldn't have to face that problem but a generation in the immediate future would have to so we can't be selfish in what we create now. Perhaps a way to prevent unsafe outcomes would be to provide some sort of cap on the learning abilities of the more advanced AI technologies created. But then another question would be, who gets to draw that line?

B1 - Dung Tran

A.I. & Future

Robotics has been already a mainstream for endless discussions and inspiration since the eighties. Many developments and experiments are conducted for an ambition to introduce a human-like android, which can function as a naturalized human. As a result, artificial intelligence (A.I.) was introduced, and has been developed as a centralized control unit for robots. At first, I never thought that robots could learn their own skills or abilities without being instructed by their human supervisor in the future. Thus, I had not realized about technology improvement on A.I. e before reading this article on Berkeley News. Brett Israel, Berkeley News reporter, described that simple actions or assignments could be foresaw by robots through this visual imagination technology (called "visual foresight"). From above achievement, Israel claimed that described technology would assist robots to perform tasks without knowledge about physics or surrounding environments. Afterward, I had been unclear about how A.I. performed analysis and commands without any database or knowledge until Professor Sergey Levine (Assistant Professor of Berkeley's Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences) claimed that A.I. would mimic human's brain through his research. He stated that "At the core of this system is a deep learning technology based on convolutional recurrent video prediction, or dynamic neural advection (DNA)". His statement claimed that his deep learning technology would assist robot to process its next action by predicting images of its previous one. Even though this technology is in initial stage at the moment, I predict that it would open a pathway for A.I to function as a human brain. As a fact, it would become a big leap for robotics industry if an android containing an A.I. that can function similar to a human brain was introduced.

Resources

Israel, Brett. "New robots can see into their future". Berkeley News. <http://news.berkeley.edu/2017/12/04/robots-see-into-their-future/> (Dec. 4 2017)

Computer & Future

This below article inspired its reader at the first paragraph by directing the contemporary issue during high-rise building era in the 20th century before The Information Age: casting "long shadow" to the urban area. Computer modeling has begun an integral part for AEC industry since computer was powerful enough to operate design software such as Rhino or 3D Max seamlessly. Even though the article did not conduct a general solution to tackle its stated problem, it introduced how architect firm NBBJ in London transform their proposed design for shadowless building into a design package as visual analysis method. NBBJ proposed for a pair of skyscraper reflected sunlight of each other, which can minimize the darkness at the street level. In fact, results generated computer-aided design package would eliminate the unreal assumption of architects with visual solution for improving the design. Also, construction phase would be processed smoother as design change issue would be rapidly minimized. This idea will be a role model on designing skycrapers and urban light mapping for recent developed countries such as China, where skyscraper building is still a mainstream.

Resources

Woo, Marcus. "The Plan to Build a Skycraper That Doesn't Cast A Shadow". Wired. <https://www.wired.com/2015/03/plan-build-skyscraper-doesnt-cast-shadow> (Mar. 13 2015)

Software & Future

Since Virtual Reality (VR) has introduced to the public recently, the 3-D smartphone mapping software in below article was emerged on demonstrating VR. The project of Google with collaboration from University of Minnesota aimed for creating a next-gen 3-D mapping software. It featured a battery-friendly software generating a map instantly without GPS data. In fact, Professor Roumeliotis claimed: "it doesnt't use much processing power, about as much as the game "Angry Birds"" to emphasize its commitment in battery power saving. Even though this ambitious software has not been introduced to the public yet, this mapping software will be predicted as a powerful add-on for Google Maps on assisting homeowners or students to navigate throughout their building in the future. Moreover, along with the vast development of Virtual Reality, an unexpectedly powerful navigation tool, inspired by this software, will be a surviving tool for anyone.

Resources

Alexander, Steve. "U, Google pioneer 3-D smartphone mapping software" StarTribune. <http://www.startribune.com/u-google-pioneer-3-d-smartphone-mapping-software/250274411/> (Mar. 15 2014)

Comments

Andrew, M. (BIM) 
Your article would strengthen my belief about the future on Building Information Modeling (BIM) on AEC industry. You already pointed out how BIM would contribute as a central role to future building construction as a data provider for a giant 3-D construction printer. Even though laborers are still required for some complex tasks, it is an expected future to watch our design will be automatically constructed at the most minimum error as data generated from BIM.

Zac, A (Database)
One of my dream before entering AEC industry is creating my own house, and functioning it by myself, which are required lots of database management on architectural, structures, HVAC, lightning, control, etc... Your article served as a good warning about code violations, and how to mine available data from a crowd database toolbox. Also, I agree with you on using software's warning alert to avoid catastrophic circumstance happened for the future project in design process

Dee Dee, S (HVAC)
I used to sit in Drexel's ASHRAE GBM with a discussion about "Net Zero Energy Design". I recalled that the presenter introduced energy-efficiency sensor in HVAC part that could be related to your article. The discussion also inspired me to another part of HVAC: not only designing functionally but also managing energy effectively. I agree with you as zero energy equipment such as the smart vents will be widely accepted by the public

Christopher Gibson  - B1

Database and Network:

In this passage, the New York Times describes how new top companies like Uber are actually paying off internet hackers who are able to break through their network and access all their information on their private databases. This is seen as a problem as it does not actually discipline hackers but instead give them a sort of incentive to want to break into top companies databases and receive the bounty. The uber spokesman stated that the company still stands by their decision in 2016 to pay the hacker that broke into their network $100,000. Although, this is an ongoing issue between a hacker, government policy, and top companies using large databases that must be solved for the welfare of all common people.


Sociology and Future:

In this article, it describes how the social groups and movements have changed drastically over the past 10 years and how it will be affected again in the next 10 years. In the past 10 years, we as a society have left behind so many devices we used every day that simply do not measure up to nowadays tech, with inventions such as video cameras, desktop computers, video rental shops, camera film, taxi drivers, newspapers, and much more. In the future, new technologies will take place of current devices and change the way of social groups once again. The passages describe some of these groundbreakings gizmos that can be in use in the next 10 years like 3D printing: that can design human teeth, shoes, and clothing, Virtual Reality: full-length VR movies, psychological therapy through VR,  and VR dating sites, AI, new driverless transportation, bitcoin loans, robotics, and pet education centers.

Sources:
http://www.futuristspeaker.com/business-trends/72-stunning-things-in-the-future-that-will-be-common-ten-years-from-now-that-dont-exist-today/?nocache=1

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/12/technology/uber-hacker-payment-100000.html

Comments:

Response 1: Abdlmalik Anibaba
Malik,

I really enjoyed reading your article as it relates to mine with the use of the "cloud" network AEC is using. I think this is a growing problem for companies with lots of data like Architectural Engineers and gives them a simple solution for all employees to access the company information from anywhere without disallowing others to view/edit the same file.

Response 2: Sarina Tufano
Sarina,

I was intrigued by your article about AI and how affecting it can be in shipping products as well as cut back on human errors. I also agree that shoon enough human shipping will be no more as we are able to trust AI more and more with its ability to compel information and use it to deliver products in a blink of an eye.

Xiaoyu Liu

Robotics&The future

The other day I went over my friend's house and we were playing a card game that was similar to Monikers. So bascially just one person describes the name on the card with one or two sentences and the other person guesses the answer, very straightforward. I have the card said "Robot" on it, so I told my friend that there was only one word. And my friend asked, "Does it have a gender?" I said, " It could be male or female and it is artificial mechanics and programmed by computers." No doubt that my friend guessed the answer right immidiately. It was a silly game but the point I am trying to make here is that how commonly the concept of robot already is in our everyday lives. Everyone knows what robot is and it is already accepted in the society mostly as a tool to replace some of the human works such as the use in construction field for building structures and the use in health care for assisting patients and so on. Very common term until I had to think about the future of it and where robotics will be leading us in the next decades. In the article I read, it introduced "the machine that grips objects with an octopus" designed by Festo. What makes it interesting is that its joints are powered by air and it gives the freedom of grabbing any shape of objects compare to other robot arms. As mentioned in the article, this new innovation will open up more opportunities in the construction fileds due to the fact that the materials are more safe for humans. I like this design a lot because it is creative and bring some real use into the real life. However, I think both form and function and equally important and it is a good start on the next level design but hopefully it could be improved more on its look.


Resources:

https://m.curiosity.com/topics/the-octopusgripper-is-an-oceanic-addition-to-factory-automation-curiosity/

AI&The Future

As we all know, computer engineering or computer science has become the most popular majors these days which means machine learning has become more and more mainstream. It is interesting that the article is making a point on how realiable the information provided by the machines is. For sure it is a question that worths the thinking, like it questioned in the article, "people won't trust an AI unless it can expain itself." One example I found it interesting in the article is that a few researchers tried to make AI explained it itself by describing its thinking process such as describing the content of a picture. What the researchers did was to create two deep neural networks, one reconize the image and one translate the language, so that it could explain itself the activity it is doing to humans. However, after the presenting to some computer scientists, it was questioned again by saying that the techniques he presented would never be explainable. To sum up the story, the answer is "The solution to expaninable AI is more AI." I found the example very interesting because seems like theres no way for humans to explain the technology that humans invented on their own. So what do we do? I agree with the second article I read where it talks about that people should work on giving more trust on AI but obviously it will require a lot of efforts due to the lack of the sense of morality. The solution meantioned in the articles were creating transparency such as through education programs.

Resources:

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/11/21/magazine/can-ai-be-taught-to-explain-itself.html
"Can AI Be Taught to Explained Itself"

https://www.ibm.com/watson/advantage-reports/future-of-artificial-intelligence/building-trust-in-ai.html

3D Printing&The Future

3D printng is getting more advances nowaday. This youtube video introduces the new teconology of printing building envelops with 3D printing machines. It is just mind-blowing to know the fact that the development of 3D printing has become so powerful. With taking the bulding envelop class last term, I was able to learn the very complicate process of designing building enevelop and there were so many factors that designers need to comsider when it comes to design the envelop. I have some positive feelings about this printable envelop teconology and for sure it still need to be improved more such as its visual connection, acoustic reflection, and it aesthetics, but overall I believe it will bring building design to the next level.

Resources:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SiMWsqo82I4

https://www.nytimes.com/video/science/space/100000005449852/3-d-printing-for-space-exploration.html

Hi Allison! We watched the same video about 3D printing! Isn't it so cool to see that building envelop can actually be printed with 3D printers nowadays? I agree with you that I also think 3D printing can bring building design to a bright future and I am really looking forward to it. However, I think it is also important to think about problems like sound insulation and visual connections.

Hi Jordan. I found your point about the robotics very interesting. I agree that we need to consider more about the fact that a lot of people are unemployed while robots are replacing the jobs they could possibly do. However, example like robotics being used in healthcare industry in Japan proved an opposite point such as there were not enough workers in the healthcare industry in Japan due to its small population. I think for almost all technologies it has two sides of it and it was interesting to see your point of view.

Hi Luciana! I found the second article you mentioned in your article about AI very interesting. I agree with your point about the fact that AI is on its path to superseding both average and intelligent humans. One of the articles I read was about scientists tried to seperate the neural networks in AI to two so that one could recognize the image and the other translate the language. The whole point of this experiment is to make AI explained itself. I just think it is also important to think about the solutions towards the trust issues between people and AI.

Blog 1 - A1 - A.Deutsch

Week 1

Group A1

Alyssia Deutsch

Robotics, Future:

It is known that many new technologies concerning robotics are being developed all around the world as of late. One of the most impressive has been self-driving cars such as the ones Tesla has recently released to the public. But what about a car that literally does not allow a human to drive it? It is being predicted that within 2019 GM will release a car that does not have steering wheel or pedals at all! Furthermore, they are trying to get the laws associated with driving in general changed completely on the argument that the current laws are made with human based drivers in mind and will not apply anymore if people no longer need to drive a vehicle manually themselves. However, many questions have been raised such as, where will the steering wheel go? And what about an emergency manual stop? Another idea to take into consideration is what this will mean for more congested areas? Will this help or hurt traffic or get in the way of emergency vehicles? Even though I think that in a perfect world the idea of self driving cars would be a lot more beneficial when it comes to traffic, accidents, human error and overall ease of access, I do not know if I personally am ready for this big of a leap into the future of AI in vehicular versions.

Title: GM Says Car With No Steering Wheel Or Pedals Ready For Streets In 2019

Author: Merrit Kennedy

Date: January 12, 2018

Link: https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&n=fd08e634-922c-4be7-a980-96e0b3615b07&t=df61eb02-f50b-454a-bd8b-0e016822db0b

AI, Software, Future:

As AI becomes further and further developed and then incorporated into our society, many changes will start to occur. Some of these might be small but larger issues will be discussed and regulated by broad legislation within our government. Before anything can be decided by any committees, an exact definition of what exactly AI is needs to be determined. Since in its simplest form AI just means robots that do things that humans can do it is very difficult to draw the line at what human actions they should or should not be programmed to carry out. Some of the greatest minds that have ever existed such as Elon Musk and Stephen Hawking are afraid that AI might pose a greater threat to humanity than we can realize just yet. Even more scary than that, we must consider what AI could do to individual privacy since algorithms used can be taken from any system of any business or individual. Although we now see AI as a very useful tool to make the most of many growing fields within today’s society, there are many aspects that we have not yet considered. In my opinion, it will probably be a lot more beneficial than hurtful but I would like to know and maintain my own personal privacy to a certain level. This does not go to say however, that we do not willingly bring forms of AI into our own homes. Devices such as Amazon’s Alexa, iPhone’s Siri and Google matched devices are already so widespread that we cannot grasp how much could be found out about us even if we tried (also it would probably be too scary to even want to know). In the end though, I do think that there are way more positives if AI can be incorporated safely into people’s every day lives.

Title: Leave AI Alone

Author: Andrew Burt

Date: January 4, 2018

Link: https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510#st=p&n=09262555-447f-41b9-b3f5-f3fbdfbd01fa&t=03ca947a-fa7c-48da-b621-c410f674d57f

Tyler Wicker - Blog Post 1

During the in-class assignment in week one, our group discussed how automation could possibly phase out jobs in the construction industry as well as various engineering jobs. Advancements in 3D printing technology have lead to companies being able to create structures using a single machine with little to no user input. This combined with BIM could one-day lead to a revolutionary change in how structures are designed and built.
After watching the video in class of the 3D printed concrete wall and video in the link below with Cedric de Meeus, 3D printing along with use of advanced robotics can completely change the way buildings are built. Implementing these technologies would mean a reduction in labor costs and liability for construction companies as well as an increase in efficiency. Mr. Meeus explains that a typical construction site will not look the same if these technologies continue to be implemented. Sites will be continuously running and have far fewer humans around. Pre-fabricated pieces may also become more prominent since it would be easier for robots to assemble something rather than to create what is needed on site. These changes would all be slowly transitioned into use but the end goal looks more like an automated factory assembly line then a current typical construction site.
As engineers our jobs seem much harder to automate then some of the jobs you may find on a construction site due to the many factors that must but accounted for when designing anything. Countries, states, counties, cities, and towns all have various regulations and standard when it comes to designing something that is going to be built or produced. These regulations and standards must be met by the designer and checked by the governing body to ensure that the final product is safe for the public to use. This process had been relatively uninfluenced by advancements in BIM technology until Singapore initiated the CORENET project in 1998. The project aimed to automate the process of checking plans submitted for code compliance. “CORENET itself was a larger national initiative to boost the turnaround time, productivity and quality of Singapore’s construction industry, and in addition to automated code-checking (called e-PlanCheck), it included the ability to electronically submit project plans and documents for approval (called e-Submission) and the availability of a central online repository of building and construction related information (called e-Info). With the introduction of BIM technology in the AEC industry, e-PlanCheck seemed poised to be a success, given that it is so much easier to check a model for code compliance than a drawing” (2). The CORENET project never met its goal but it did inspire companies to devote time and research to creating similar platforms to address the problem. The International Code Council (ICC) created a similar project in 2006 in the US but it would end up failing just a year later due to lack of funding. A few companies are still working to on projects to create an automated code checking system, but none have made any significant advancements in the recent years. Steady progress in the implementation of BIM throughout the world could help to strengthen the push for automated code checking but a lot more research and new technologies are required for it to become common place for engineers in the US. However, if through technology we can automate the review process for engineering there is nothing stopping companies from working to automate the design process as well.

1) 3D printing in construction by Cédric de Meeûs, LafargeHolcim:

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=c8a753c4-b124-4c7c-9d70-02439705dd90&newReg=false#st=p&n=dbb7311b-e54d-4ec7-8b51-25c267053569&t=3db95129-c0cf-48a9-9fbb-4a68f8bd32ba

2) Automating Code Compliance in AEC:

https://www.evernote.com/pub/aengineer/ae-510?linked=c8a753c4-b124-4c7c-9d70-02439705dd90&newReg=false#st=p&n=2f717fc0-697c-4397-bf1b-72ec1ac49c70&t=faed6016-756b-4c6a-b93e-ef9163c42d1e

Comment 1: Jordan,
It'll be interesting to see how advancements in AI will make its way into our everyday lives similar to how google already has. I think now more than ever the general population is more willing to try new and revolutionary products to change the way we do things in our day-to-day lives. With more businesses able to produce products that utilize AI more consumers will have access to the technology. 
Comment 2: Lauren,
Being able to create data bases and other AI technologies quickly and cheaply will hopefully allow smaller companies to compete with large tech giants like Google and Amazon. The larger companies will still attract the best talent on the market but better access to this technology will promote competition in the industry. I'm interested to see what Google is able to create with this technology.
Comment 3: Dee Dee,
The smart HVAC technology sounds like a great idea that should be implemented in all future homes and offices. Especially if you can couple it with exiting nest technologies like you said. I wonder how much development still needs to be done to make this a common feature in building design and if there will ever be regulations requiring technology like this in all new buildings to help limit energy consumption.

Quelly Wk 2-1: B1 Article Review

Thoughts on the Future of Technology in Construction

Blog Post 1

Amisial B-1

Three Tech Trends Shifting the BIM Industry in 2016

By Dennis Williams       

http://www.aecbytes.com/viewpoint/2016/issue_80.html

July 21, 2016

HVAC

In this article, some of the new advanced features in building information modeling (BIM) were discussed by informing how they are shifting the trend of this industry in a new age. Particularly, HVAC which is a field that I believe could be more explored to improve building efficiency and performance, decrease the impacts on the environment and increasing occupant comfort was well presented. In fact, I was interested on how the addition of these followings: smart thermostats, talking fridges, reactive lighting units, sensors and software to monitor occupant’s activities while adjusting room temperature, building GPS location to affect lighting and air conditioning in saving energy for when there is enough natural light for a side of the building, are changing our views regarding buildings. I think that it is only the beginning of a new era in HVAC because if we think for a moment in implementing similar features on bigger level such city, states, or countries; we could truly step into some radical changes for a brighter future.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Leave AI Alone

By Andrew Burt       

https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/opinion/leave-artificial-intelligence.html

January 4, 2018

This article addresses the controversies regarding AI and discusses the general concerns about implementing regulations on AI; while this last idea is the most challenging for our generation, I must admit that I totally support such opinions. Since, AI has been in used around the 1900s, it was never properly defined, and even currently, the industry is struggling to accurately define it because AI does not represent one single technology or development. On the other hand, I have enjoyed the multiple uses of AI such as 3D printing, financial algorithms, and self-parking and looking forward to new inventions, however, while some might argue that it is too premature to start regulating AI; It would be beneficial to start investing more resources into analyzing the different impacts of AI in the world. It has been reported that AI performed higher in multiple human intelligence areas, so the question remains: will we compete against them or increase our intellectual capacity to better use them?

Comments: 

Carlos,

I have enjoyed your approach on the 3D printing, your information on the main advantages were efficiently presented; however, one the main advantages retains my attention: reduced costs. I have enjoyed the benefits of 3D printing, but I think in some areas, it increases costs in some part of the construction. Compared to developed environment, when there is no need for using the materials produced; it is used most of the time as a markup for future development or construction.

Allison,

Your post on robotics is quite enjoyable, and honestly by implementing autonomous on-site robot, the construction industry would maintain its edge in the world of inventions. I totally agree that such methods will efficiently facilitate the construction process. However, my concern is what is the impacts on human involvement within the construction industry, and since they do not have the inspiration to create or design; what will be our point of view of this aspect. Lastly, I don’t think that we are fully prepared to step into this new era and their implication on a more general level is far beyond 10 years.

Nay Ye Oo,

Your writing on computers related to the future is very interesting; one could clearly see that the trend of this industry for the past decades has been the creation of more portable and comfortable computers while maximizing their performance. The same observation could be made about cellphones, but one thing that got my attention was the multiple or limiting features that most of them have. This genuinely makes me think about what are the consequences or impacts for such computers.

B1 Post

HVAC:

“THE BRILLIANT AIR VENTS YOU NEVER KNEW YOU NEEDED”

https://www.wired.com/2015/01/brilliant-air-vents-never-knew-needed/

The following article discusses smart vents, and how it’s related to energy efficiency. In addition, increasing HVAC efficiency through controlling airflow of a room or zone based on occupancy. The control of airflow is based on closing vents when a room is unoccupied to achieve overall efficiency in terms of energy and HVAC systems.

Smart Vents are great for office use as well as home owners, where smart vents can be programmed based on known occupancies and manually adjusted when needed through a Keen mobile app. In addition, the keen mobile app allows thermostat adjustment and adjustment of room temperature individually. The feature of manual adjustment makes it convenient for a homeowner as a home doesn’t have fixed hours of occupancy as an office. According to the article, studies show that the use of smart vents reduces the run time with an average of 22%, while the control of air vents based on occupancy “can make a 3,500-square-foot home as efficient as a 2,000-square-foot home.”

SENSOR:

“Sense”

https://sense.com/#

The following is a website for a sensor called “Sense” which is installed in electric panels of homes to monitor energy consumption and provides real time monitoring. The great advantage of such a technology is allowing a homeowner to understand what electric appliance within a home has the highest energy consumption and what are the amount of energy consumption for each appliance. Also, the sensor may be used to provide notifications for electric appliances, such as when a garage door is being open which makes it convenient for a homeowner to track their home activity while their being away or know when the kids have safely reached home as the company advertises its product.

AI:

“Robot automation will 'take 800 million jobs by 2030' – report”

http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-42170100

The following is an article which discusses how robot automation will occupy up to 800 occupations for 46 countries around the world leading to job loss of 800 million jobs around the world by 2030. According to the article, the study of 46 countries and 800 occupations shows that jobs or professions that require human interaction are less prone to automation, “such as doctors, lawyers, teachers, bartenders, gardening, plumbing and care work”. Despite the fact that robot automation may be a threat to 800 occupations, according to the article it will produce new types of jobs just as the world saw transition and new jobs produced when “the global industry has switched from farming to factory work”.

The article also includes a hyperlink for “Will a robot take your Job”, which provides an insight of how likely the profession you have entered as your job will be prone to automation. So according to this a Civil Engineering is quite unlikely to be replaced with automation, and compared to other jobs it is the 337^th of 366 jobs to face automation risk.  

DATABASE:

“kohezion”

https://www.kohezion.com/

Kohezion is an online database software which allows sorting data and creating applications with out requiring coding. After review kohezion I would say it is similar to google drive in terms of its idea, where online editing can be made just as a google docs.

 

“Access 2016: Basic Database Introduction”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8pZwu7NTO4

The following video provides an introduction of what is Microsoft Access 2016. As some of us know or may not know, Access is a database, where a database is a software program where one can organize and store data.

FUTURE:

“GM Says Car With No Steering Wheel Or Pedals Ready For Streets In 2019”

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/01/12/577688125/gm-says-car-with-no-steering-wheel-or-pedals-ready-for-streets-in-2019

The following article discusses self-drive cars that will have “no steering wheel, pedals, or any other manual controls” should be available on market by 2019. According to the article General Motors is trying to have some laws waived as they are responsible for programing the car to comply with federal laws, and they would like to have some laws waived such as air bags as they are not required since there are no drivers driving the car. Self-drive drive cars are still being tested, but according to the article some have become available in parts of phoenix and are produced by Waymo.

The future now relates to vast amounts of improved technology, which focusses on achieving and producing within shorter and shorter spans of time because “Time is Money”. Therefore I believe everything we use nowadays will furthermore be computerized, such as the books we once read on paper have become PDFs, the vents that were once manual have become automated and equipped with sensors, the cars that are human operate will operated through being programmed, and artificial intelligence which is used to make robots and machines replace humans, but nothing can totally replace humans.

Comments:

Zac Arnold

“The Robots are Coming and Sweden is Fine” article is interesting because it’s scary to know how automations such as robots are not only being created to replace jobs and achieve time efficiency for production, but to function as spies and weapons for military, which makes one think how it can be harmful more than useful even though it may produce new types of jobs just as it will be ending many.

Mark O 

I have to agree the title “Busting the Myths about A.I. Invading Our Lives.” is attracting, because the idea of having robot replacing us is scary and as you mentioned reading such an article is refreshing, because it leaves me wondering what would happen if automation would take over within the next few years when there is already a high percentage of people who didn’t have their education go beyond high school and their skills are dependent of the jobs they want to replace first such as call centers, retail stocking, etc.

Sarah Hollis

In terms of the 3D printing prediction of structures, I believe it would take some time to be achieved properly, because so far all the 3D printers for building are designed to build stuff with a small scale and even though I agree with you about how over the past 30 years buildings have changed dramatically, I think this would take some time to replace labors, while I believe it would be easy to use 3D printer in spaces that doesn’t have other buildings closely occupying as these machines will require space to work. So, the challenges that will come with 3D printing for building will be more than having it take over soon.