I don’t think that even most people who are aware of the technology are able to wrap their heads around the changes that this will bring to the world. What is on the horizon is truly a new revolution in personal freedom. What is coming is almost a complete reversal of the industrial revolution. Industry is coming right into your own home with this technology and it is moving with breathtaking pace.
The open nature of this technology makes it near impossible for any of the gatekeepers in government or industry to stop. They will try, but they will fail in the end.
Why buy cheap plastic crap imported from China when you can print it at home at a fraction of the cost? Imagine open source car parts that you can make yourself. It’s coming. Imagine people designing open source solutions to circumvent idiotic government mandates. That’s coming too.
Imagine scanning and recreating existing things with a 3d printer and a $400 3d scanner like this one:
http://www.engadget.com/2013/11/08/3d-systems-sense/
This also represents a whole new world of copyright and patent issues. Imagine what it is going to be like when physical objects can be scanned, the 3d models distributed by pirates, and then recreated at home by anyone who so desires. Imagine when the technology reaches the level (and it’s not far off) to open up an electronic device, scan all of it’s internal parts, and upload the plans to share with others.
What’s Apple going to do when you can print your own iPad at home? I don’t know. On the one hand, it sounds like anarchy, but on the other hand, it sounds like an end of a lot of dusty old business models and a new frontier for entrepreneurs to market their products.
Agreed.
Lots of opportunity for lots of people.
I am trying to teach my kids the basics of electronics and programming just so that they can get their brains around what is possible.
UL and IEEE will have to adapt as well.
Good luck printing an iPad at home. That will NEVER happen.
Mechanical objects, sure, but you’ll never see additive manufacturing of semiconductors done in the home.
Imagine printing parts for old cars that are no longer made or available. Better yet, make formerly metal body parts (cheaply) out of a very tough but light plastic that lets you make, say, a ‘69 GTO that weighs 500 pounds less than the original.
I see some enterprising soul making a fortune selling now unavailable plastic interior parts for dozens or hundreds of popular old cars. All you need is one example and a good 3-D scanner, plus some knowledge of the restoration market, and you’re rich.