B1 - Adrian Kuzniarowicz

The four topics for this blog post, databases, networks, sociology, and the future, are very important components with regards to "Intelligent Buildings" and the technology which is used to develop these designs.

A database, which is an organized collection of data that is accessed using a database management system (DBMS) to allow a user to interact with one or more databases and provides access to all of the data contained in the database, can be utilized for a number of applications when considering intelligent building design. An article [1] by the Journal of Wind Engineering and Industrial Aerodynamics presented the idea of utilizing database-assisted design in the estimation of tornado loads on wood-framed buildings. The article stated that in order to be able to assess the intensity of tornado loads on a structure, a series of databases containing specific information about the properties of the tornados was created and analyzed to produce an accurate representation of predicted tornado loads. I believe that this article presents one application of the utilization of database systems in the design of intelligent buildings.

The second component mentioned before that has a significant impact on intelligent building design is the implementation of networks in the design process. In an article [2] by the Journal of Wavelength technology, the evolving trends in the architecture design and computer modeling of a metropolitan network were observed. A network is a group of two or more computer systems linked together. In the article, the author presented information on how many extensive networks there are and how the data and traffic along these networks is slowed. The article continued to explain the importance of networks and how they are not only implemented between personal computer system, but also their significance in the communication between infinitesimally small computers. Overall, this article presented the metro network architecture evolution trends over the course of the past few years. Everyday, ordinary people have access to networks without even knowing it. Today, many social media networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, are used to connect people virtually. Unlike many things which cease to exist, the growth of networks and their capabilities is inevitable, allowing for more applications, such as construction.

The third topic related to intelligent building design mentioned above was sociology. As time goes on and technology continues to advance at a very rapid pace, the research and development of the field of artificial intelligence is also rapidly growing. In the article, “Artificial Intelligence,” [3] the author explains the development and testing of a condition-monitoring sub-module of an integrated plant maintenance management application which is based off artificial intelligence. The article presents problems with utilizing this design as well as benefits. According to the article, benefits of implantation of AI software in a plant included the following: reduction in machine down time, reduction in skill level for maintenance activities, ease of maintenance, speedy response and affordable cost. Whether we like it or not, the future technological advancements of the world will have a significant impact on how we live. The changes that come will benefit the lives of everyday people, as long as those everyday people are willing to adapt to the coming changes.

The future of intelligent building design is very broad and open to exploration. For years, personal computers and the ways which they are used have been more readily available. As seen in the article about the development of artificial intelligence, the ways which we utilize computers to perform everyday tasks is becoming more advanced as time goes on. If additional advancement of technology was to continue at the pace which it is currently going, I believe that within a matter of years, artificial intelligence technology will be so advanced that it will be utilized in the “smart” construction of “intelligent” buildings.

Comments:

Matthew Zabiega:

Matthew,

I find it very interesting that 3-D printing has been around for such a long time and that it is just now becoming readily available to the public. I, personally, have not been able to witness 3-D printing occurring or have even to see a 3-D printer. I believe that I read somewhere that they have even begun using 3-D printing to print concrete to use for structures. So maybe we are not too far from this being a constantly implemented component in intelligent building design.

Sources:

[1] http://www.sciencedirect.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/science/article/pii/S0167610514002414

[2]

http://ieeexplore.ieee.org.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/xpls/abs_all.jsp?arnumber=1353397

[3]

http://search.proquest.com.ezproxy2.library.drexel.edu/docview/212593448/fulltextPDF?accountid=10559

B1: Group E - Eduardo Borja

Sociology (China Wants to Replace Millions of Workers with Robots) – This article discusses China’s desire to automate manufacturing processes. They want to replace low-paid workers with machines that will do the same process more efficiently. The manufacturing sector will be the one that will mostly benefit from this change. China produces everything and having automated machines work efficiently without even a need for sleep, it is evident that China will become one of the largest if not the largest manufacturing powers. After reading the article some advantages as well as some disadvantages came to mind. Regarding the advantages, the machines could be calibrated to do some really sophisticated detail and processes, some which would represent extensive time and costs if a human carried out the process. Regarding the disadvantages, maybe robots will replace more jobs than offering more jobs. A machine will eventually do all these processes done by humans, and the workforce of a company could be comprised solely machines. Where do does all of the replaced humans go work now if a machine can do its job quicker and resulting with the same product? Certainly this replacement will offer different jobs but I do think it will take away more jobs than provide jobs (1).

Future (Mark Zuckerberg is About to Get a Smart-Home Headache) – This article is basically a response to what Mark Zuckerberg proposed as his new years challenge. Zuckerberg looks to create an artificially intelligent home parallel to Iron Man’s Jarvis. This is a really interesting idea, being able to interact with your home as if your home were a person would definitely be something remarkable. We see homes labeled as “smart homes” where a tablet controls various settings in the house such as temperature, lights, and sound but nothing in the magnitude of interacting with a home. Interestingly enough, this article states Zuckerberg will have a tough time with this new self imposed challenge because of the complexity of various devices trying to communicate with each other, and of course due to glitches. (2)

Network (Cyber-Espionage Case Reveals the Shabby State of Online Security) – This article comments on a specific case of cyber-espionage on U.S. Steel where the company claims they stole names for 1,700 servers that controlled access to the company’s network. Also, U.S. Steel’s vice president for trade claimed other important company information was stolen such as business strategies, pricing, among other confidential information. Cyber-Espionage is something that occurs on a daily basis, definitely not to the extent of stealing confidential information but for example ads pop up in websites based on your recent searches. It’s not to the extent of cyber-espionage but it is still in a certain way accessing your personal searches and learning what your interests are. There is an interesting solution to the problem of cyber-espionage that this articles gives and that is “occasionally go offline”. This creates more work and waste of time but if it keeps important information safe it might be a good solution. (3)

1.     http://www.technologyreview.com/news/544201/china-wants-to-replace-millions-of-workers-with-robots/

2.     http://readwrite.com/2016/01/05/mark-zuckerberg-smart-home-challenge?utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=webfeeds

3.     http://www.technologyreview.com/featuredstory/538201/cyber-espionage-nightmare/

Comments:

Laura Hill: Overall I seemed to read some similar articles. In regards to the Network article you read, there was one other solution proposed in another article, which stated that the only way to keep information secure from hackers would be to keep it offline. Does PrivaTegrity deal only with online communications? Also, regarding the article about Smart Home, I read an article about Mark Zuckerbergs challenge to create a smart home similar to Iron Man’s Jarvis. It would certainly be remarkable if a global smart home is created.

Mohammed Alqallaf: Your last statement takes me to the article I read in which China wants to replace workers with Robots. It is astonishing how technology evolves to the point where robots are performing tasks that before only humans were capable of doing. Also, I had the same thought on how the robot era might affect the job industry. Robots being able to do processes that are complex in less time than a human will certainly have a big effect on the job industry.

B1: Group E: Mohammed Alqallaf

Databases, networks, and sociology all play an important role in the future of building construction and the building design industry. Databases for instance are an important part of building design. A large number of information is collected as data and filed daily in different databases. For instance, ASHRAE has weather data and standards for building cooling and heating for international locations. Data analysis has to be performed in order to obtain averages, deviations, and other information that would be used for building design. So the future of databases and data analysis is crucial for the future of building design.  Advancements in data analysis are being made such as the “Data Science Machine” from the first article I read [1]. MIT researchers have been working on developing a system that would “replace human intuition with Algorithms.” This means that people used to analyze the data and recognize patterns are no longer needed. This also involves sociology in a sense, where people are no longer needed because machines can perform the tasks.

Network on the other hand is also an important part of the future of building construction and the building design industry.  For instance many people have used the term “Internet of Things” to refer to future advancement in network and how everything will be linked to one another. This synchrony is attainable with new technology and with advancements that are currently being made.  For instance, in the second article I read, Intel chip makers are currently working on numerous advancements involving RealSense cameras that detect obstacles to actively avoid colliding with them [2]. This innovation can be applied to the building industry the same way drones were used to build an architecture model in the video we watched in class.

Sociology is also linked to all these innovations because advances in robots are being made and many people are worried that robots would take over jobs, and that would socioeconomically be disastrous.  For instance the third article I read referred to “adaptable robots” meaning robots that have the capacity to learn and adapt to certain situations [3]. Such advances are amazing to the industry because it means that less man labor would be required for certain tasks. Eventually robots might be able to construct buildings in the same fashion a 3D printer would construct something.

[1] http://scitechdaily.com/data-science-machine-replaces-human-intuition-with-algorithms/

[2] http://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/ces/11329790/Intel-shares-futuristic-vision-of-the-connected-world.html

[3] http://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-32884768

Comments:

Alexis,

I found your subjects very interesting and relevant to future advancements in the building design industry. The application of 3D models and how they can be analyzed in certain situations is very beneficial for helping better understand the reaction of buildings. The ease and time efficiency of additive manufacturing of 3D printing technology has made it surpass that of models manually machined for wind tunnel testing. What I also found very interesting is the advancement in digital fabrication with robotics. Designers were previously confined by the size of the printer but now with the robotics, size is essentially a non-existent issue.

Kai,

I myself did not know the depth of BIM. I am really glad I read this article and learned more about BIM. Also, 3D laser scanning seems like a very great idea for building surveying. The fact that the process only takes as little as 30 minutes as opposed to the conventional surveying and modeling which would take a large amount of time is intriguing. I also found it interesting that using a 3D laser scanner can identify many problems and how some problems might go undetected when using conventional methods.

B1 Group E: Al-Hajri

Sociology

Society, most of the time, is the central concern of any science. It is through society and how/why it should evolve and develop that most of today’s great scientific realizations and achievements have been accomplished. Why? Well, the existence of many problems and challenges of the present world towards developing the world, in this case technologically, alongside evolving as a society it was possible to solve/overcome them through these scientific breakthroughs. Therefore, the concept of Sociology (Mainly in order to overcome societal issues with relation to technology) is going to be the focus of my comment on the following areas:

Network:

As I have established above, developing and evolving as a society is one of today’s ongoing goals. That can be achieved through a number of factors, with networking being, in my opinion, the most important. It is considered impossible for individuals to come up with any kind of products on their own. Individuals, whether directly or indirectly, will need to involve other actors in order to achieve that. It is through social networking (social structure made up of a set of social actors) that will make it possible for society to evolve as a whole. In order to network effectively with other social actors, order and organization is absolutely necessary. The article (Can human-machine superintelligence solve the world’s most dire problems?) suggested an intelligent and technological method to do that. The article introduced what is called “Human Computation”, which to briefly define it is combining computer intelligence and human in crowd-powered systems. Such discovery as the article mentioned would help with solving huge world problems like climate change and geopolitical conflict. It helps with organizing and effectively assigning tasks to one another through Microtasking (see figure below):

   

As mentioned in the article, tasks assigned in a friendly manner and in accordance with what every individual excel at, therefore, establishing order and speeding up the process of solving any problem. Database is conventionally known to be any set of data held in a computer and is accessible in multiple ways. Therefore, it is crucial to involve and store data so that to take actions accordingly. In order to conduct research of any kind, data collection in many cases would be necessary.

Future:

Technology is a double-edged sward. In one way it could immensely help societies overcome huge societal issues and contribute to its development and evolvement. On the other hand it could end mankind. In the article “ Stephen Hawking warns artificial intelligence could end mankind, the physics savant alerts the world that artificial intelligence could end humankind.  Moreover, the article mentioned that others weren’t as pessimistic about it as he is. Rollo Carpenter, creator of Cleverbot said “ I believe we will remain in charge of the technology for a decently long time and the potential of it to solve many of the world problems will be realized”. I personally feel ambivalent towards the future of technology, however, I hope humanity would not exploit and just try to make lemonades out of lemons.

References:

1-    http://www.kurzweilai.net/can-human-machine-superintelligence-solve-the-worlds-most-dire-problems

2-    http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-30290540

Comments:

Faisal Al-ghati
Kate Flint