Both 3D printing and AI will have important impacts in the continuing advance toward “Industry 4.0”. In combination, however, the results could be both spectacular and unpredictable. Both of these technologies focus upon adaptability and rapid response. They also bring whole new possibilities for mechanisms into play. Designing new devices that can be created, replicated, and even evolve rather quickly presents formidable challenges. Additionally, the way in which these devices interact with their surroundings could create whole new possibilities for changing our environment.

This time, the videos are somewhat mixed, focusing upon flexibility and design issues that will demand advanced analytics. They represent a somewhat distant edge of current development, but are notable in reminding us that AI is likely to become a ubiquitous part of our environment, and 3D printing, with its great and growing flexibility, will be a part of that environment, too.

Videos are from the web, selected from those with the best video presentation of the technology, as well providing insight into current developments. The first video shows an advanced robot design created with AI, and capable of great flexibility immediately out of the printer. The second demonstrates a concept of Building Information Modeling that mixes AI, virtual reality, and 3D printing to create a planning, testing and observation lab for building design. The third video shows a multi-material 3D printing technique based upon mealtime analytics, and the fourth shows a method of applying a kind of flexibility and rudimentary “intelligence” in the printed object itself–with all the advanced analysis and design that will entail.

First-ever 3-D printed robots made of both Solids and Liquids (MIT CSAIL)

Artificial intelligence meets construction through Building Information Modeling (Arirang News)

MultiFab: Vision-Assisted Multi-Material 3D Printing (MIT CSAIL)

4D Printing: Shapeshifting Architecture (Wyss Institute at Harvard University)