Alsaleem B1 - AI, Robotics & 3D Printing

Artificial Intelligence is a system that combines sophisticated software and hardware with complicated databases in order to demonstrate features of effective human decision making. The main criteria for an AI system is for it to be capable to perform specific functions correctly for what it has been designed to do. Also, an AI system should be well designed, able to be manufactured efficiently and at low or reasonable costs that allow it to be marketable and usable.

More specifically in the AI field, robotics has been used around to perform some or several human tasks in many different fields. Most robotics require human control for them to perform, or reprogrammed systems that allow them to self-perform the desired task allowing it to calculate and perform smartly on its own. Robots are now found in many fields, in class we saw robots building and placing bricks, and most common use of robots as everyone knows is their work in factories. Moreover, I will try to show couple more examples where robots are relied on as well to perform tasks.

Robots in the Medical Field

Courtesy Swisslog

Robots are seeking their way into the medical field where they will help doctors to clear clogged arteries, measure blood viscosity and deliver drugs to precise locations in the body. The goal is for the robots to assist nurses who provide routine care, easing the need for nurse’s aides, home health care asides and other position that have been hard to fill. The robots will also be able to lift and repositioning patients, deliver medications to patients’ rooms and be able to deliver lab samples and reports.

Robots on Farms

Courtesy Blue River Technology

Engineers at Blue River Technology are developing a robot that is able to roll through rows of plants using a radio and GPS system that allows a driverless tractor to follow the lead of a manned one as they make their way around the fields. The main goal of this technology is that it doubles the outcome and works much faster than the work still done by hand.

3D Buildings

Nowadays various technologies use 3D printing as an essential method to construct buildings or components of buildings. Current machines are being combined into automated and semi-automated production lines that will feature elements of additive, subtractive and formative manufacturing processes to handle material deposition at one scale and finishing at another.

The major advantages of this technology are mainly its faster construction, lower labor costs, increased complexity and accuracy. The better accuracy from this technology leads to less materials wasted during construction.

3D printing is divided into 3 different methods used at construction scale;

-        extrusion (concrete, wax, foam, polymers)

-        powder bonding (polymer bond, reactive bond, sintering)

-        additive welding

In May 2016, Dubai officially inaugurated the world’s first fully functional 3D printed building by his Highness Sheikh Mohammed AlMaktoum, Vice president and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. Sheikh Mohammed AlMaktoum later described that Dubai’s plan is to have more than 25% of the buildings in Dubai by 2030 to be constructed using this technology. He has also pointed out that the advantages of 3D printing in terms of lower costs and faster delivery will make the UAE one of the most important sustainable economic hubs, enabling the effective use of this technology to establish future cities in all sectors.

Photo Credit: WAM

From my point of view, I see that robots are seeing their way into many different fields and more companies are relying on them in the near future, specially the medical and farming fields. Robots may have simple delivery and assistant roles helping nurses in hospitals, until maybe they might take on jobs as explained earlier. However, the Robot technology for farms will also help farmers rest their hands and get the job done more efficiently and more effectively.  As for the 3D printing technology, I see that 3D printing revolutionized the construction industry. Most importantly the output of the 3D printers are less expensive due to its less expensive process, lower materials usage and also lower labor cost. The use of 3D printers might not be as effective the coming years, but definitely it will take over in the future.

References:

-        Fields where robots are taking charge

http://www.kiplinger.com/slideshow/business/T057-S005-robots-taking-charge/index.html

-        Robotics Technology – Artificial Intelligence

http://www.electronicsteacher.com/robotics/robotics-technology/artificial-intelligence.php

-        How Artificial Intelligence could merge with 3D printing

http://www.getlittlebird.com/blog/3d_printing_plus_artificial_intelligence

-        World’s first 3D printed building in Dubai

http://gulfnews.com/news/uae/government/world-s-first-3d-printed-building-in-dubai-1.1833450

-        Video: 3D Concrete Printing – The Future of Construction

http://www.forconstructionpros.com/video/12059502/video-3d-concrete-printing-the-future-of-construction

Responses:

Tarry Francischetti: I agree with you and enjoyed your examples for supporting your point of view. I did not know about the new MI system that could learn by time as humans, do you think it will be as effective as we might imagine as it collects data and learns more tasks all over? I also agree with you that the only disadvantages is the loss of jobs robotics create. I see that the first years robotics will enter the field as supporting members to help constructors for example, until people start seeing them as the replacement to do the job. 

Christopher Sager: Your response was really interesting! I did not know the drones could do that much of work on site. I really enjoyed the Tedx discussion you posted which lead me to watch several videos regarding technologies in the field. I also agree with you about the usage of cranes on site and your way of replacing them to save money and effort. 

Egla Qori: I was really interested in your blog and your way of explaining the topics. As you mentioned that 3D printer were created in the 80's, do you think now that it has been tested and used some places in the world, will we see it more often in the industry in the near future? Do you think it has been tested enough and will take over? I can't agree more that using 3D printer could really help the poor, and for sure be chance for rich people to create something unthinkable.