[BBC] TED 2013: 4D printed objects 'make themselves'

1516 Views 17 Replies 17 Participants Last post by Bit_reaper, Mar 11, 2013

chemicalfan

Discussion Starter · Feb 28, 2013

Quote:

Many are only just getting their heads around the idea of 3D printing but scientists at MIT are already working on an upgrade: 4D printing.

At the TED conference in Los Angeles, architect and computer scientist Skylar Tibbits showed how the process allows objects to self-assemble.

It could be used to install objects in hard-to-reach places such as underground water pipes, he suggested.

It might also herald an age of self-assembling furniture, said experts.

Source

Pretty cool

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Reactions: 2

1 - 18 of 18 Posts

kenpachiroks

· #2 · Feb 28, 2013

Amazing! It's spectacular even though it's in its basic stages. Lot of potential. Hope it doesn't die out
+1 for showing us a part of the future

Most important bit that sets it apart :
Quote:

We're proposing that the fourth dimension is time and that over time static objects will transform and adapt

Here is the TED talk
http://www.ted.com/talks/skylar_tibbits_can_we_make_things_that_make_themselves.html

More info
Even more info

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illusive snpr

· #3 · Feb 28, 2013

Putting on my tinfoil hat!

In before 4d printing self aware skynet robots.

Seriously though this is prety freakin cool.

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rubicsphere

· #4 · Feb 28, 2013

And just imagine all the millions of proteins in your body that spontaneously fold into tertiary structure with much more complex composition. We have a lot of catching up to do.

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Polska

· #5 · Feb 28, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by illusive snpr

Putting on my tinfoil hat!

In before 4d printing self aware skynet robots.

Seriously though this is prety freakin cool.

Thats what I was thinking, just 1 step closer to skynet.

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DigitalSavior

· #6 · Feb 28, 2013

Still seems 3 dimensional...

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zalbard

· #7 · Feb 28, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by DigitalSavior

Still seems 3 dimensional...

Read the article.
Quote:

TED fellow Mr Tibbits, from the MIT's (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) self-assembly lab, explained what the extra dimension involved.

"We're proposing that the fourth dimension is time and that over time static objects will transform and adapt," he told the BBC.

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Shmerrick

· #8 · Feb 28, 2013

Watched the TED talk. Doesn't sound like buildings will be making themselves any time soon.

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Jarhead

· #9 · Mar 9, 2013

Wait until 3D printing gives way to nano-assembly. It will literally redefine every aspect of human existence.

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47 Knucklehead

· #10 · Mar 9, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Polska

Thats what I was thinking, just 1 step closer to skynet.

Same. Call me crazy, I just don't like the idea of "man made" objects being able to make themselves. Forget the whole Skynet thing for a second, if people think 7.7% unemployment is bad, they ain't seen nothing if/when this happens.

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szeged

· #11 · Mar 9, 2013

if it could install underground pipes that would make my job 590438953x easier.....and then id be out of a job.

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BinaryDemon

· #12 · Mar 9, 2013

I would think that nanites would be the way to go with stuff like this. Not smart material but programmable micromachines that could use any material.

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Bit_reaper

· #13 · Mar 9, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by 47 Knucklehead

Same. Call me crazy, I just don't like the idea of "man made" objects being able to make themselves. Forget the whole Skynet thing for a second, if people think 7.7% unemployment is bad, they ain't seen nothing if/when this happens.

There are already a few factories that essentially run on the concept of self replications. One example is a factory that makes robotic arms and tools and the production line is entirely made up form the same parts that are produced. Granted its not the same things as in this article but its about as close as it currently gets in terms of self replication.

IMO its quite silly to be against progress that would make production faster, easier and cheaper. Sure some people will have to look for new employment but that's progress and that's the way it has always been. Steam engines, replaced man power and electric motors replaced the steam engines and so on and so on. In the end everyone sill benefits form progress as there will be more stuff to go around for everyone.

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fiki

· #14 · Mar 9, 2013

This is **** amazing,I remember seeing something like this like 8yrs ago on the discovery channel.A tie that could fold out to a briefcase or something like that,makes ye think what the next decade has in store us ey?

I think I understand it,they model the thing in 4D using industry standerd techniques and then printout/build the 3d shadow.I think if someone had the patiance and the origami skils they could make something like that(look at the snake bot) but I dont really see this as an enthuist thing just yet.

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un-midas touch

· #15 · Mar 9, 2013

Seriously? Just add water?

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Liranan

· #16 · Mar 11, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bit_reaper

There are already a few factories that essentially run on the concept of self replications. One example is a factory that makes robotic arms and tools and the production line is entirely made up form the same parts that are produced. Granted its not the same things as in this article but its about as close as it currently gets in terms of self replication.

IMO its quite silly to be against progress that would make production faster, easier and cheaper. Sure some people will have to look for new employment but that's progress and that's the way it has always been. Steam engines, replaced man power and electric motors replaced the steam engines and so on and so on. In the end everyone sill benefits form progress as there will be more stuff to go around for everyone.

Fanuc
Fanucs robotics.

Fanuc pride themselves on having 0 employee factories and they are expanding. This will bring unemployment to near 100% in the future as it's an unstoppable process.

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sebkow

· #17 · Mar 11, 2013

Thats really cool but how far can this technology go?

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Bit_reaper

· #18 · Mar 11, 2013

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liranan

Fanuc
Fanucs robotics.

Fanuc pride themselves on having 0 employee factories and they are expanding. This will bring unemployment to near 100% in the future as it's an unstoppable process.

Yes thous are the ones

Even if the factories have 0 employees they still need maintenance done, people are still needed to do the design work, people are still needed to to do the programming. If and when we reach the point where everything is designed, made and maintained by machines, well then we people will just do other types of jobs like artists, politicians ect. ect. Its not like factory work is the only from of employment.

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