CONNECTING teams and data in a seamless manner from one team to another will be the main thrust of Autodesk in 2017 to enable each industry to maximize the advantages of its integrated platforms and products.
“Autodesk is the equalizer for all,” Autodesk Philippines Country Manager Teddy Tiu said in a news briefing on January 11 in Makati City. “We are optimistic that 2017 will bring excitement in terms of technologies for the construction, product design and entertainment industries.”
According to Tiu, the new products will enable workers to experience new scenarios in the workplace. For instance, construction workers wearing smart badges and smart helmets can now see a real-time view of the construction site.
“Designers will be able to use AR [augmented reality] and VR [virtual reality] to visualize the final product before constructing it,” Tiu said. “Moreover, drones will capture relevant data on site to improve efficiency across teams.”
He explained the cloud has provided infinite computing capabilities in manufacturing space, as well. According to Tiu, software can generate up to thousands of designs for a single product based on criteria that a designer determines—such as weight, strength, cost, size and material. Generative design, as it is called, allows the computer to provide a large set of potential solutions, based on a designer’s well-stated problem, he explained.
Moreover, Tiu mentioned new roles will emerge over the next decades, such as the AR/VR experience curator.
“Organizations that are new to this territory—architecture firms, manufacturers, vocational programs and schools—will need skilled staff to create and curate AR and VR experiences.”
Robot trainers will also have a pervasive presence and working alongside with alongside human colleagues. Human trainers will be needed to demonstrate complex tasks for robots to learn and perform. Tiu added that sensor system integrators will emerge in response to the development of networks in commercial buildings, homes or even during product development.
The development of advanced algorithmic tools will enable a designer to be transformed into a “Generative Designer”, according to Tiu. “Instead of creating a 3D model from scratch, the designer needs only use this artificial intelligence-based generative design software to create a solution that they will refine into the ultimate design.”
Tiu added that the boom in 3D printing will allow the emergence of the 3D printing specialist. This will require skilled machinists who can operate ‘subtractive’ manufacturing machines.