A four-dimensional product (4D product) considers a physical product as a life-like entity capable of changing form and physical properties autonomously over time. It is an evolving field of
product design
Product design is the process of creating new Product (business), products for businesses to sell to their customers. It involves the generation and development of ideas through a systematic process that leads to the creation of innovative products ...
practice and research linked to similar concepts at the material scale (
programmable matter
Programmable matter is matter which has the ability to change its physical properties (shape, density, moduli, conductivity, optical properties, etc.) in a programmable fashion, based upon user input or autonomous sensing. Programmable matter is ...
and
four-dimensional printing), however, typically utilizes sensors and actuators in order to respond to environmental and human conditions, modifying the shape, color, character and other physical properties of the product. In this way 4D products share similarities with
responsive architecture, at the more human scale associated with products.
History
The concept of imbuing products with similar life-like qualities has been an area of increasing research within academia and industry alike. However, researchers have used a variety of different terms to describe this research, for example transformational products,. shape changing, kinetic, or in a more general sense, smart, connected, robotic or having a level of
artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the capability of computer, computational systems to perform tasks typically associated with human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and decision-making. It is a field of re ...
.
Within industry, commercial examples of products capable of adaptation have received some attention. In 2005 Adidas released the ''
Adidas 1'' shoe, which was capable of adjusting the compression characteristics in the heel with each stride, and accommodate for the different requirements of the foot during different activities like walking or running. More recently in 2016, Nike released the ''HyperAdapt 1.0'' shoe, capable of self-lacing as the user puts their foot into it. Additional micro adjustments were possible using manual controls, however, the designers claim a longer-term vision for such products to come alive and respond in real-time to user needs.
In 2008 BMW revealed a concept car called
''GINA'' which featured a fabric body stretched over a movable aluminium wire and carbon fiber frame, capable of flexing in certain areas to reveal details like door openings, or modify aerodynamic properties of the car in real time. The 2016 incarnation of this concept car, the BMW ''Vision Next 100'', adopted similar capabilities with a more advanced flexible skin capable of expanding as the front wheels turn, reportedly reducing the drag coefficient of the car while cornering.
Changes in product form can be used to improve product performance. While such a dynamic car body is yet to be seen on the mainstream market, elements of this transformation can be seen in modern
Formula One
Formula One (F1) is the highest class of worldwide racing for open-wheel single-seater formula Auto racing, racing cars sanctioned by the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA). The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one ...
racing cars. These vehicles have movable rear wing flaps to modify drag for overtaking in certain sections of a race (known as the
Drag Reduction System
In motor racing, the drag reduction system (DRS) is a form of driver-adjustable bodywork aimed at reducing aerodynamic drag in order to increase top speed and promote overtaking. It is an adjustable rear wing of the car, which moves in response ...
or DRS). Consumer-level cars, like the Audi TT, are also capable of automatically increasing the rear spoiler angle at high speeds to increase traction and safety. This suggests these life-like movements are slowly finding their way into the mainstream.
See also
*
Actuator
An actuator is a machine element, component of a machine that produces force, torque, or Displacement (geometry), displacement, when an electrical, Pneumatics, pneumatic or Hydraulic fluid, hydraulic input is supplied to it in a system (called an ...
*
Autonomous robot
An autonomous robot is a robot that acts without recourse to human control. Historic examples include space probes. Modern examples include self-driving Robotic vacuum cleaner, vacuums and Self-driving car, cars.
Industrial robot, Industrial robot ...
*
Evolutionary robotics Evolutionary robotics is an embodied approach to Artificial Intelligence (AI) in which robots are automatically designed using Darwinian principles of natural selection. The design of a robot, or a subsystem of a robot such as a neural controller, ...
*
Fourth Industrial Revolution
"Fourth Industrial Revolution", "4IR", or "Industry 4.0", is a neologism describing rapid technological advancement in the 21st century. It follows the Third Industrial Revolution (the "Information Age"). The term was popularised in 2016 by K ...
*
Industrial design
Industrial design is a process of design applied to physical Product (business), products that are to be manufactured by mass production. It is the creative act of determining and defining a product's form and features, which takes place in adva ...
*
Responsive computer-aided design
*
Sensor
A sensor is often defined as a device that receives and responds to a signal or stimulus. The stimulus is the quantity, property, or condition that is sensed and converted into electrical signal.
In the broadest definition, a sensor is a devi ...
*
Smart wearable system
References
Further reading
* Greenfield, Adam (2006)
''Everyware: The Dawning Age of Ubiquitous Computing'' Berkeley, California USA: New Riders.
* Kelly, Kevin (2010). ''
What Technology Wants''. New York, USA: Penguin Group.
* Tibbits, S. (2016)
Self-Assembly Lab: Experiments in Programming Matter'. Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge. {{ISBN, 978-1-138-91006-5
Industrial design