"The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you.”
– B.B. King
1. Digital Twins Steering Innovation
Growing up, I always had posters and calendars of cool and exotic cars on my bedroom walls. As I got older, I grew saddened by the fact that some of the ultra-premium hypercars, like the Cizeta-Moroder V16T and Pagani Zonda C12, were not only prohibitively expensive but would never come to the United States because the government would have to crash a handful to test them for safety. If only we had digital twins!
2. Robot-Built Homes
Or BotBuilt, if you will, is a company that was founded in 2020 with the mission of reducing homebuilding costs by using robots to construct home-framing components, such as walls and trusses. BotBuilt doesn't sell its framing systems but operates factories that produce framing for builders, aiming to improve building pace and reduce costs. They’ve built nine homes so far and plan to scale operations this year.
3. Pour Some Out...
For the robots and robotics companies we lost in 2023. We mourn the loss of their innovations and that they’re no longer with us. Everyday Robots, Neato Robotics, Karakuri, and Zume ceased operations, their technological dreams unfulfilled. Skydio turned its focus away from consumer drones, XACT Robotics ended its medical advancements, and PrecisionHawk's commercial drones are grounded. Their pioneering spirit lives on in memory. Respect.
4. Welding Metal Foam With Induction
Researchers at North Carolina State University created a new method to weld composite metal foam (CMF) using induction welding, which maintains the foam's lightweight, strong, and heat-insulating characteristics by preventing the internal air bubbles from collapsing. This innovation enables the use of CMF in applications like aircraft construction, vehicle armor, and the safe transport of heat-sensitive materials without compromising its properties. Someone alert the food delivery industry – stat!
5. AM Personalities of 2023
This article reviews the impact of 10 key figures in the 3D printing industry in 2023, including CEOs and leaders from major companies, startups, and research institutions. Each person has been essential to advancing the technology, driving corporate growth, and innovating within various sectors, such as bioprinting, medical devices, and sustainable alternatives. Their contributions have significantly shaped the additive manufacturing market.
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