Group A Week 9 Story Post - Teaching Hospital

Group A:

Mark Odorizzi, Sarina Tufano, Dung Tran, Nay Ye Oo (Sonny), Alyssia Deutsch, Kerry Milligan

The Prologue:

Discussion of the current hospital situation - and the shortcomings that will be solved by an intelligent building

This story begins at a run down teaching hospital named “The Rickety”. Every doctor, nurse, intern, patient and visitor have been slightly creeped out by the small corridors, the uneven temperature distribution and the lack of new technologies. The lights were always flickering, making anyone in their presence feel uncomfortable. Those systems that did work, made erie noises and thumped randomly at any given time, but highly prefered to do so in the dead of night. Since this building was constructed before codes had been renewed, not many rooms had significant means of egress or sufficient natural lighting which only added to the sinister aura the building gave off.

In an effort to correct all of the dilemmas faced by this building and its occupants, a team of an architect, engineers, project managers, maintenance crews and hospital personnel got together and made a list of all their individual needs:

“WE NEED MORE ROOM!” - Dr. Milligan shouted

“WE NEED SENSORS TO REGULATE THE AIR QUALITY” - Mech. Engineer

“WE NEED A DATABASE TO KEEP OUR RECORDS” - Medical Students

“WE NEED UTILITIES THAT DON’T BREAK EVERY DAY” - Maintenance Head

“WE NEED QUIETER HVAC!” - Surgeons

“WE NEED FASTER WIFI” - EVERYONE

“WE NEED MORE MOTION SENSORS” - Dr. Milligan requested

“WE NEED MORE VIDEO SURVEILLANCE” - Project Manager   

“WE NEED MORE EASE OF ACCESS” - Architect

“WE NEED MORE LIGHT!” - Owners

“WE NEED CHEAPER BILLS!” - Maintenance Head

The hospital employee stakeholders in this story are Dr Milligan (because he was living through the issues and has the most knowledge about what a better space would look like), the project manager (in order to handle all of the differing inputs from the stakeholders, Sarina is needed to represent the hospital as a whole and keep the project on track), and the maintenance officials (Dung is the one who deals with the hospital facilities on a daily basis, and has input on how to best design the new space with maintenance considerations in mind and deals with the creepy doctor who complains about everything).

The non-hospital employee stakeholders in this story include the engineers (Structural: Mark wants to make sure the hospital is structurally sound to handle the heavy equipment and unpredictable live loads), the code compliance consultants (Hospitals have intricate codes applied to them, so Sonny is here to make sure we stick to those codes and provide a safe and acceptable working environment) and the construction management team (Foreman Rizzi needs to make sure the construction does not interfere with existing hospital operations, while still being efficient and on time and budget).

The Fix:

Discussion of the steps taken towards developing an intelligent building and how the new technologies will benefit the occupants/stakeholders.

Many new technologies will be implemented in this hospital so that it can provide a better work and teaching environment. These include code analysis for design and renovation, many types of sensors for occupancy evaluations, a structural/MEP BIM model for programming and design processes, a building program database for better record keeping easier programming and occupational evaluations, as well as robotics for construction methods and acoustic analysis for renovational aids.

To better be able to ventilate and heat/cool the hospital, a new high efficiency HVAC system will be installed. Since many patients and doctors are easily lost track of within the hospital, motion sensors and camera equipment will be installed. Along with that, databases will assist in record keeping methods that are highly effective and user friendly. Additionally, rooms will be made slightly more spacious and more windows will be incorporated with additions being rendered through BIM and all of its associating counterparts within the new model’s operation and functions. This will cause the hospital to become much more efficient in its teaching methods, which will gain it more patients and result in more money which can pay for the best hospital equipment and doctors to keep teaching new interns. Overall, the stakeholders will get large payoffs over the years following this renovation, the patients will become much more comfortable, and the hospital employees will be provided with a much better environment in which to work on a daily basis. In the end, this hospital will also have a much more pleasant facade and no longer be considered the creepy hospital it was once known for.   

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.

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.

Jianfeng Xiao - Blog 1

HVAC & Future: Putting Building Science into Practice

By: Martin LaMonica

Published By: MIT Technology Review

Date: January 21, 2013

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/510131/putting-building-science-into-practice/

In this article, new technologies including HVAC system, windows and walls are discussed. The Fraunhofer Institute in south Boston was built in different new technologies and materials to test their performance. The technology products chose were based on their effectiveness, low energy emission and best return investment. This building used chilled beams for lighting and HVAC system. The advantage of the chilled beams are its cooling and heating performance and its low cost. It requires smaller ceiling space and little maintenance compares to traditional HVAC system. In addition, the smart glass and insulation wall was used to keep the heat out of building, which makes the HVAC system more efficiency. The different technologies used in this building were still in energy retrofit. I believe in the future, there will be more energy efficiency technologies being invented and applied in building construction.

Sensor: The world's most sustainable building is also the smartest

By: ELEANOR PEAKE

Published By: WIRED

Date: November 1, 2017

http://www.wired.co.uk/article/this-is-the-worlds-smartest-building

In this article, sensors are discussed. The Deloitte’s new Amsterdam Headquarter, a most sustainable building designed by Ron Bakker, is the smartest building in the world. This building does not use any energy for heating and cooling. Because a huge atrium is designed to provide air flow and sunlight, which stores sunlight heat in the summer to be used in the winter. In addition, the 30000 sensors are placed throughout the office to measure every aspect of lighting, CO2 level and humidity. This will help to measure the air quality and wellness condition of building.

AI & Future: Alibaba's AI Outgunned Humans in Key Stanford Reading Test

By: Bloomberg

Published By: ITPro

Date: January 15, 2018

http://www.itprotoday.com/machine-learning/alibabas-ai-outgunned-humans-key-stanford-reading-test

This article talks about the recent development of AI. The Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. put its deep neural network model to test the AI’s intelligence compares to human intelligence. This test was to ask AI for exact question for more than 10000 questions. The AI final scored 82.44, which past the 82.304 human achieved. This shows the AI technology has made a huge advancement. This AI technology can be applied to numerous application such as customer service, online responses to medical inquiries from patients and even autonomous driving. I believe the AI technology will be used widely in different areas which helps to develop the quality of life in the future. But the only concern right now is how much we should develop the AI technology.

Database: Software equal to or better than humans at cataloging published science data

Published By: Kurzweil

Date: December 2, 2014

http://www.kurzweilai.net/software-equal-to-or-better-than-humans-at-cataloging-published-science-data

In this article, database is discussed. A computer system called PaleoDeepDive has extracting data from scientific publications and placing it in a database for individual studies. This system rapidly and precisely summary, collate, and index the vast output of scientists around the globe. This database allows people to access information without going back to library for original documents.

Cody Johnson Comments:

Cody,

I agree that boundaries should be set up for AI by developer since AI is widely applied in different areas. If boundaries were set up, the AI could bring our life a lot convenience. It can be applied in customer service, online response and even autonomous driving in the future. But as you mention, if boundaries were taken away, AI could learn anything that could lead to negative direction. This is not what we want. Therefore, discipline should be set up for developer to develop AI.  

Bradley DiGiovanni Comments:

Brad,

I read the same article as you about this sustainable building. The interesting part of this article is this building use 30000 sensors in the office to measure every aspect of lighting, CO2 level and humidity. These sensors help to measure the air quality and wellness condition of building. In addition, one interesting part you do not mention is that this building does not use energy for cooling and heating. They use natural sunlight, and they store heat in the summer to be used in winter. This really help to decrease energy use.

Dee Dee Strohl Comments:

Dee Dee,

Your post about the HVAC and sensor part is interesting. I agree with you that this technology will help to decrease the energy use in a building. In addition, this will increase the quality of our life. You can control the HVAC system to adjust temperature or humidity using app on your phone when you are not at home. 

DiGiovanni - B1

B1
1/12/18
Group D

Sensors & HVAC
This article discusses one of the smartest and most sustainable buildings in the world. It was designed by Ron Bakker for Amsterdam's new Deloitte headquarters. The office has a number of intelligent features that makes it sustainable. A simple but effective feature was having a reduced number of desks. Deloitte realized that only a quarter of the 3,000 office workers were ever at their desk at a time, so why should there be that many desks? They developed an app to allow people to reserve desks when needed, and in specific areas already being conditioned by the HVAC systems. By limiting the number of desks and spaces that need to be conditioned, they were able to save a lot on energy costs. The building also has around 30,000 sensors spaced out every two feet. Having that many sensors all connected to one intelligent computer system, decisions based on temperature and lighting can be programmed in to minimize energy usage.
See here for more information: http://www.wired.co.uk/article/this-is-the-worlds-smartest-building

AI, Databases, & Future
I also found this article that talks about combining AI across all platforms, and making them connected to more aspects of our lives such as personal banking. It highlights the benefits of an personal assistant AI that is connected across all platforms. An AI like this could be designed and placed all over your house such as in counter-tops, fridges, etc. Not just in a company specific housing device such as the Amazon Echo. Also, allowing AI access to large databases that contain your personal banking and other accounts does pose some security and privacy risks, but it also makes banking more convenient. Using your voice to bank or to invest could simplify money transferring, but it also could be misused by someone with bad intentions. These are some of the things humanity will need to deal with in near future, as we figure out our comfortably level with AIs and their access to our data.
See here for the rest of the article: https://www.americanbanker.com/news/one-virtual-assistant-to-rule-them-all-bankers-already-getting-prepped

COMMENTS:

1) Josh,

I liked the articles you posted. The NY Times usually does a great job of explaining the issue at hand while also providing some interesting backstory. However, the author of the first article you posted seems like they did not dive into the issue too much, only highlighting positives of present day automation. I really don't think that the author considered how many jobs automation will actually replace. Automation that comes slowly and that is foreseen can be managed; such as the miners' jobs in the article. As different mining machines were slowly automated, the mine could retrain and find new jobs for the miners. That is no different than in the United States, which the author doesn't really highlight. However, automation in large masses is what Sweden and every other country should be worried about. For example, even the Swedish government organizations that helps find jobs for people will suddenly be overwhelmed when hundreds of thousands of truckers are replaced by an AI. No amount of government support can find that many jobs at once. The author even mentions some of this at the end, but fails to  delve into it, probably because doing so would hurt the position of the article.

2) Kerry,

The article discussing the use of an AI to design a skyscraper was very good read. Being able to plug in design criteria into a computer and have it spit out results that humans then can sift through for usable designs is very fascinating. Although a computer may not know if the results it returns are applicable in any way, since we can refine the criteria that we want, the computer can become more and more helpful to designers. It makes me curious as to what the future holds for designers and engineers alike.

3) Dee Dee,

Your post on the Paleontology AI was really cool. It's neat to see how AI and Machine Learning programs are being used in more obscure or unorthodox ways. The field of paleontology to me seemed very human dependent, but you are right when you say computers may be taking over those jobs as well. This post reminds me of a scene in Jurassic Park where they are using a new ground radar computer system. The technician says to the paleontologists: "a few more years of development and we won't even have to dig anymore", as a joke regarding the technology they are now using. https://youtu.be/ITZLefqqR8g?t=63