Giant 3-D Printer to Make An Entire House in 20 Hours

I suppose the orginal writer of this story or Rebecca Boyle from PoPSCi didn't want to be the bring of bad news, "...On Earth, the automated system could prevent delays, injuries and other labor issues related to human workers...". via the use of less workers.

The complicated issue of an advancing computerize, robotics and automation society, it inproves life and reduces cost in manufactoring, with and end result of more unemployment.

Is the author of this story really confident it will not bring labor issues with the unions, really?

There will always be room for the workers to make,run, fix or program the automated systems.

So why not use 3D printing to make the tallest skyscraper in the world essentially printing a floor at a time and work your way--right up to the moon!

This is a great idea if only for the architectural potential. A track home is a track home, but do they all have to be so square (literally and figuratively)? I would love to see what someone like Frank Lloyd Wright could do with the technology.

As for the potential loss of jobs, there is potential for loss but I see more in potential for gains. The machines must be built, for now that still requires human hands and workmanship. How about a new manufacturing sector based on 3D printers both large and small?

I ask anyone who complains about the loss of employment....Should we just not have even invented the wheel then? Purposeful inefficiency is madness, and spits in the face of human intelligence. The very last thing we need to worry about is making things too easy.

For the billionth time, Kingdom Tower will be taller and nicer than the cheap 838m chinese tower. Do your homework Boyle.

838m CVS for that matter.

What is this?! A house for ANTS?!? It has to be at least... 3 times bigger!

:-D

I wonder how the concrete sets if it's poured in such small layers. There might be quite a few pieces in the puzzle that need 'old-style' builders, like roofs.
As for unemployment, if we create a society where automated processes take care of 90% of our needs, wouldn't it be easier if we ALL just work 10% of the time we work now and enjoy our life instead of fighting for 60h/week jobs and call the others '90% unemployed'?

I am for robotics-obviously, automation and manufactoring and I am for employeeing people. In the great scheme of things it is an economic social engineering complicated issue.

HE'S ABSOLUTELY RIGHT!!

LOL, very nice reference, Simon!

Wow OK man thats like the coolest thign I hever ever seen!

www.Go-Private.tk

Two Words VENUS PROJECT

Already in an economy suffering a job shortage, this is a great way to make it even worse! Go technology! Too bad people don't realize that not everyone will be able to work, and that calling them entitled for using government programs is displaced aggression. It's not their fault, but we blame them so easily. This project will enable rich folk to keep even more of their money, prevent them from needing to spend it to move the economy, and pretend like it will 'trickle down' to the proles.

Great concept, though.

Robot..are you from the 50s or something? It has been shown pretty thoroughly that in general, the workforce is FAR better off due to automation.

i see this technology being used for evil in the future. hopefully tourist dont get a hold of it.

"You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." -Morpheus

Ummmm too late. It's free and opensource.
http://reprap.org
http://thingiverse.org

JediMindset,
I am glad to you blogging. This technology will be taken over by the mainframe IBM Blue once it becomes seflware to begin creating the new robotic world order, as well as taking control of the new robotic drones being produced in the world.

what if we use it just to make low-income housing with solar panels so their rent is low AND have no power bill. If you build enough of them they will give power back to the community, thus making low income housing pay it's way in power for the rest of the working community.

@Robot,

yeah robots will be our rival species on this planet. but soon the annuaki are returning. there might be a war in the distant future between aliens and robots/cyborgs!

"You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." -Morpheus

@wolfproud,
good idea but big brother wont let it happen, they would lose a LOT of money....

"You take the blue pill – the story ends, you wake up in your bed and believe whatever you want to believe. You take the red pill – you stay in Wonderland and I show you how deep the rabbit-hole goes." -Morpheus

@ Vapur9
"will enable rich folk to keep even more of their money"
Yes, you said it best. It is their money, their property and no one should have the right to take it from them.

Considering the rather low cost of wall frames, rebar, and standard concrete - how could this be cost effective?

Sure, you don't have to rent or construct frames, but the cost in special (I am assuming special) mix concrete alone would likely cover that.

Add in programming, the footing requirements that would still need to be initially met, and a host of other elements that would still need traditional installation (plumbing, electrical, telecommunication, etc).

There is a reason most houses are not made of concrete - lumber and gypsum are still more cost effective, easier to maintain, and far easier to modify or repair.