Putting A.I. Smarts Into 3D Printers Will Let the Navy Build Any Part, Anywhere--Even Outer Space

One thing about airplanes--especially ones that fly from aircraft carriers, where they're battered by saltwater and tough deck landings--is that they need lots of spare parts that are not always on hand. Instead of flying in new parts, though, future Navy ships may be able to make new ones to order. Picutre an intelligent, laser-wielding robot that can analyze the damage and 3D-print the needed titanium alloy parts from an onboard supply of metallic dust. This is one glimpse of the future proposed by the Office of Naval Research (ONR), which today announced a two-year, $5.8 million contract to create a new generation of super-smart 3D printers. The printers would not only make parts on order wherever they are needed, but can "observe, learn and make decisions by themselves," according to Lockheed.