
Prework session: Here's how presenters see their own slides.
I attended the technology trends session of Autodesk University 2016. As digital technologies such as generative design, augmented reality, the internet of things (IoT), and artificial intelligence transform the processes of design, creation, and usage — what will the impact be? Are these technologies changing the way we approach and answer questions about the best way to design or build something? What does this change mean for living, working, and designing in the modern age? This session addressed these questions.
Autodesk Explorer-in-Residence, Jonathan Knowles and special guests from Amazon, Intel, HP, and Dell had a fascinating conversation about how this new era is shaping the future of how things are made. Before the panel discussion, each company representative shared his thought-provoking take on the future of making things and the future of work.

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Ryan Kiskis Startup Products, Programs and Operations Lead at Amazon Web Services

Hard tech is back. Whereas investors used to be skeptical as to whether things could be built, they are now investing in startups that are undertaking very ambitious hardware-centric projects:
- Freight Farm grows vegetation via shipping containers that can be placed anywhere.
- Relay Theraputics is making biologics via protein folding.
- Boom is working on reinventing supersonic flight.
- Accion makes an ion engine that can be used to power satellites.
- Bolt Threads is working on compounds that have the properties of spiderweb threads.
- Saildrone is revolutionizing how oceanic data is collected with water-based drones.
- Carbon 3D is working on faster 3D printing.
The future of making is characterized by what seemed impossible until the day that it became possible. What makes most of this possible in the ability to tackle problems with tremendous compute power.
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Rahul Tikoo Director and General Manager, Dell Precision

Computing of the past was characterized by:
- Destination - a computer in an air conditioned room.
- Users interfaced with it by speaking in a programming language.
Computing of today is characterized by:
- Portable - phones and tablets go with us.
- User's interface with them using menus, touch screens, and mice.
Computing of tomorrow will be characterized by:
- Immersive - virtual and augmented reality.
- Users will have shared experiences.
- Interfacing will be as natural as interfacing with another human.
- Computers will be anticipatory in the operations they perform.
The future of making things and work will leverage the richer experience afforded to everyone via advances in computing.
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Bruce Blaho HP Fellow and VP at HP Inc.

The future of manufacturing involves:
- Simplification - multi-material 3D printing will eliminate the need to make separate parts and then assemble them.
- Additive manufacturing will reduce waste.
- The ability to 3D print locally will reinvent supply chains.
- The need for warehouses will be eliminated as manufacturing on demand will replace stockpiling of inventory.
This new manufacturing process will transform economies and societies in how we live and work.
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Ricky Branner Director – Workstation Business Solutions at Intel

Technologists get so caught up in technology that they fail to recognize if a product addresses basic customer needs.
A technology that does meet basic customer needs is characterized by:
- It enhances what the user is already doing.
- It provides a seamless experience that allows it to be used naturally.
- It is durable in that its usefulness will be recognized for a long time.
Though virtual reality has finally come of age, its roots can be traced back to the child's toy known as the Mattel Viewmaster. The future of making things and work will focus on ensuring that products and services address basic customer needs. Technologies like virtual reality will be applied to solve customer problems.
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During the panel discussion, the following observations were made:
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Today, technologies that once seemed impossible, like a brain to computer interface, allow a quadriplegic to move a robotic hand with his mind. He can shake a visitor's hand or bring a cup with a straw to his mouth.
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In the future, one can imagine a world where computation will be part of any surface. Interfacing with computers will be as natural as interfacing with humans.
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Today, one can ask technologies like Apple Siri, Google Alexa, or Amazon Echo where one can buy laundry detergent. Soon, you will be able to ask these technologies to buy some detergent and have it delivered. Now long after that, these technologies will know that you need detergent because the near-empty detergent bottle has already alerted them.
It was great to hear from Autodesk partners that as technology companies, we share a common vision of the future of making and the future of work.
Outlook confirmation is alive in the lab.