Yes, things. Especially as lovers of technology, our world is becoming much more about software, commands, and abstract concepts like the social web and the cloud, and less about actual things – I mean physical things that would hurt if you hurled them at someone’s head (though here at DCWEEK, we would certainly frown upon that).
Two interesting DCWEEK events yesterday focused on “things” – cool things if I may say so. One was titled Internet of Things. It was referring to how everyday objects are being connected to the internet and interacting with it, from mobile-phone controlled pet feeders, to web-controlled thermostats, and entire hotel facades that respond to people’s tweets. The message was that it is inevitable that pretty much all devices will be connected to the internet, with some pretty huge implications for people and for society – imagine smart analytics of power consumption across an entire nation, just as one example.
Another incredible event was the demonstration of fabrication machines from the Fab Lab DC (fab lab is short for “fabrication laboratory”), from 3D printers to accurate multi-axis carving machines like the ShopBot that can print or carve (respectively) almost any shape. What is most notable about the concept of the Fab Lab is that fabrication of almost any shape or device is doable by any person who has an idea, and this is because all the machines are controlled entirely using very palatable software and an intuitive graphical user interface that is not too difficult to learn. One can even print circuit boards in a fully-equipped fab lab, and therefore the lab makes it possible to build many a “thing”, from artistic designs and digitally conceived sculptures to device prototypes.
With the phenomenon having begun at MIT, the expectation is that relatively soon, there will be fab labs all over the world – there are already currently one hundred or so. It would actually be really interesting to ponder the implications to society, manufacturing, business, etc., as these capabilities become more and more widely available and relatively cheap at that (in the not-so-distant future). I can’t help but ponder specifically how it would help entrepreneurs who need to build a rapid prototype and do not wish to outsource the project or spend a lot on it. That alone would present a substantial change in the startup world, and would open up more opportunity for entrepreneurs, as the price of fabrication technology decreases and its use becomes more widespread.
So, needless to say, we at DCWEEK can’t wait to see Fab Lab DC get up and running and we’re excited about the ways it will bring a community around it, and will foster a culture of creativity and invention. Stay tuned and get involved by getting in touch with the Fab Lab DC team (through the website) – they are welcoming of volunteers who will help bring this to the DC community, and are also welcoming of those who wish to learn about this young movement in fabrication on a smaller more customizable scale.
