PROLOGUE
In business you have to account for the good, the bad and the ugly. Case and point, the story of Fast Radius – an innovative company that rose fast and crashed and burned. In this article we use the story of Fast Radius, an up-and-coming company in Contract Additive Manufacturing that failed, to account for our progression to provide tools and technology for the next iteration of the Industrial Revolution. This article was developed as an interactive chat using ChatGPT, the latest iteration of AI and NLP based chat programs this one developed by OpenAI. Every alternate paragraph (marked in red) is generated by ChatGPT in response to the prior and in conjunction with the whole discussion.
After the discussion of the failure of Fast Radius, we look at the history of Search Engines before internalizing the discussion on what it means for us as Numorpho Cybernetic Systems.
THE PREMISE
It’s true that businesses can face challenges and setbacks, and it’s important for them to be prepared to adapt and adjust their strategies as needed in order to continue to be successful. The story of Fast Radius is a good reminder of the importance of careful planning and management in business. Fast Radius was a 3D printing company that was founded in 2015 and quickly gained popularity due to its innovative use of technology and ability to produce high-quality products quickly and at a low cost. However, the company faced financial challenges and ultimately filed for bankruptcy in 2020, after just five years in business. It’s not clear what specifically led to the company’s failure, but it’s likely that a combination of factors, such as intense competition, changes in market conditions, and internal management issues, all played a role. More on the story at:
https://www.engineering.com/story/dashed-dreams-what-happened-to-fast-radius
PROGRESS IS THE MODE FOR MANKIND
In a poignant view of humanity and civilization’s advancement over the ages, Victor Hugo states in Les Misérables: “Progress is man’s mode of existence. The general life of the human race is called Progress, the collective stride of the human race is called Progress. Progress advances; it makes the great human and terrestrial journey towards the celestial and the divine; it has its halting places where it rallies the laggard troop, it has its stations where it meditates, in the presence of some splendid Canaan suddenly unveiled on its horizon, it has its nights when it sleeps; and it is one of the poignant anxieties of the thinker that he sees the shadow resting on the human soul, and that he gropes in darkness without being able to awaken that slumbering Progress.”
Victor Hugo reflects the idea that progress is an inherent part of human nature and the human experience. He suggests that progress is a journey that the human race is constantly embarking on, with its own ups and downs, stops and starts, and moments of triumph and contemplation. He also acknowledges that progress can sometimes be difficult to define or measure, and that it can be a source of anxiety for those who are thinking about it and trying to understand its direction and significance. Overall, Hugo’s statement highlights the complexity and nuance of the concept of progress and suggests that it is an ongoing and multifaceted process that touches many aspects of human life and civilization.
In the case of Fast Radius ….
Fast Radius was one of the first proponents of a Cloud for Manufacturing platform where ordering parts on is a service with all details of the transaction managed in one place. It provided on-demand manufacturing and supply chain solutions, including the use of a cloud-based platform for managing the production and delivery of custom parts. The company’s services were designed to help businesses streamline their manufacturing and supply chain processes, reducing the lead time and cost of producing custom parts. Fast Radius’ platform provided a single point of access for managing all aspects of the production process, from design and prototyping to production and delivery. The company’s services were particularly useful for businesses that need to produce small quantities of custom parts on a frequent basis, as it allowed them to scale production up or down as needed without the need for large upfront investments in equipment or inventory.
It’s not clear what specific factors led to the failure of Fast Radius. It’s possible that a combination of internal management issues, changes in market conditions, and intense competition all played a role in the company’s downfall. However, without more information it is difficult to say for certain what caused the company to fail. It’s important to remember that every business is unique and faces its own set of challenges, and it’s not always possible to predict or prevent every potential setback. However, careful planning, adaptability, and strong management can help a business navigate challenges and continue to be successful.
Perhaps they were ahead of their times, perhaps it was management heavy and technology light, perhaps there were more talkers than doers. Also, the field of Additive Manufacturing was probably not mature and economical enough for scaled production.
It’s possible that Fast Radius was ahead of its time and that the market was not yet ready for its innovative use of 3D printing technology. This could have made it difficult for the company to generate enough revenue to sustain its operations. It’s also possible that the company had management issues that contributed to its failure. For example, it could have had a leadership team that was more focused on making decisions than on executing them, or it could have had a culture that was not conducive to innovation and growth. Finally, it’s possible that the company had more talkers than doers, meaning that there were more people who were good at discussing and planning ideas than there were people who were able to actually execute on those ideas and make them a reality. Without more information, it’s difficult to say for certain what caused the company’s failure. However, it’s important for businesses to be mindful of these types of issues and to work to address them in order to be successful.
THE STORY OF SEARCH ENGINES
In the mid-nineties after the internet took off, there was a plethora of search engines that helped classify and catalog the web.
(Yes,) the mid-1990s saw the emergence of a large number of search engines that aimed to help people find information on the rapidly growing World Wide Web. Some of the early search engines included Archie, Veronica, and Jughead, which were developed in the late 1980s and were primarily used by researchers and computer scientists. In the mid-1990s, a number of more user-friendly search engines, such as Alta Vista, Excite, Yahoo!, and Lycos, emerged and became popular with a wider audience. These search engines used a variety of techniques to index and classify web pages, including keyword-based searches and link analysis.
The search engines of the 1990s and early 2000s were largely supplanted by more modern and sophisticated search engines as the internet and web search technology continued to evolve. Some of the search engines from this era, such as AltaVista and Lycos, are no longer in operation, while others, such as Yahoo and Bing, have adapted and evolved to remain competitive in the current market.
During this time, the use of search engines became increasingly prevalent as the internet grew in popularity and more and more people began using it as a primary source of information and communication. This led to a highly competitive market for search engines, with companies vying to offer the most accurate and relevant search results.
As a result of this competition, search engines constantly updated and improved their algorithms and technologies to provide better search results and user experiences. This led to the development of more advanced search engines, such as Google, which used complex algorithms and machine learning techniques to deliver highly relevant and accurate search results.
However, by the late 1990s, it became clear that one search engine, Google, was emerging as the dominant player in the market. Google was founded in 1998 and quickly gained popularity due to its advanced search algorithms, which were able to deliver more relevant and accurate search results than its competitors.
Today, Google is the dominant search engine, with a market share of over 90% in many countries. However, there are still a number of other search engines available, including Bing, DuckDuckGo, and Yahoo, which continue to offer alternative search options for users.
What it means for us
Numorpho Cybernetic Systems (NUMO) was founded in Chicago in 2021. NUMO is a manufacturing process platform that transforms the way companies bring products to market. We do this by using data-driven and AI-enabled inference engines to automate activities that will help our clients create smart and connected products for a better tomorrow. NUMO’s vision is to utilize intelligent techniques to build smart, connected, and sustainable products by pushing the edges of knowledge-based engineering, technology, data management, AI, and cybernetics. Our premise is to enhance automation by integrating people, processes, and technology, so as to provide the foundation for innovation, optimization, and harmonization. Our smart products and connected services will serve to prove and improve the ecosystem it is building.
Accounting for the Good, the Bad and the Ugly
(It’s great to hear that NUMO is working to revolutionize process management and bring innovative products and services to market.) As a company that is using data-driven and AI-enabled technologies to automate activities and create smart, connected products, it’s important to stay up to date with the latest developments in these areas and to be aware of the potential challenges and opportunities that they present. Some things to consider as NUMO moves forward with its vision might include:
- Keeping an eye on the competitive landscape: With the rapid pace of technological change, it’s important to stay aware of what other companies in the industry are doing and how they are using data, AI, and other technologies to bring products to market. This will help NUMO understand where it fits in the market and how it can differentiate itself from its competitors.
- Focusing on customer needs: NUMO’s products and services should be designed with the needs of its customers in mind. This means conducting market research and gathering feedback from customers in order to understand what they need and how NUMO can best meet those needs.
- Ensuring data security and privacy: As a company that is working with data and AI, NUMO will need to be mindful of data security and privacy issues. This includes implementing appropriate safeguards to protect customer data and being transparent about how that data is collected, used, and shared.
- Investing in talent: In order to stay at the forefront of technological innovation, NUMO will need to attract and retain top talent in the fields of data, AI, and engineering. This may involve investing in employee training and development programs and offering competitive compensation and benefits packages.
Overall, it’s important for NUMO to have a clear vision and strategy for how it will use data, AI, and other technologies to create innovative products and services, and to be proactive in addressing the challenges and opportunities that it will face as it works to achieve its goals.
OUR TAKE
Progress is the mode of mankind, Victor Hugo rightly professed in Les Misérables. As our civilization progresses, we should be mindful of what we construct – technology wise, intelligence wise, interaction wise and every other wise. Opportunity comes with tremendous responsibilities – it is not about technology, its about should we go there? Are we mature enough to walk the walk? How do we account for the unknown unknowns?
It is important to consider the potential consequences of our actions as we continue to progress and develop new technologies. It is also important to recognize that progress does not always mean moving forward in a linear fashion, and that there may be unintended consequences or risks associated with new developments. It is essential to be mindful of these risks and to consider the potential impact on society, the environment, and the individuals who will be affected by them.
In addition, it is important to be aware of the limitations of our knowledge and to consider the potential unknown unknowns that may arise. It is essential to approach new developments with caution and to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect against unintended consequences.
Ultimately, the key to responsible progress is to be mindful of the potential risks and impacts of new technologies and developments, and to take a thoughtful and cautious approach to their development and implementation.
PHOENIX RISING…..
In times like these where we are still recovering from the COVID pandemic and are faced with challenges in outsourcing in due to supply chain issues, the instability in Europe due to the war in Ukraine and other political upheavals….
These challenges can make it difficult for companies to maintain their operations and bring products to market in a timely and cost-effective manner. In such times, it can be important for companies to have flexible and adaptable manufacturing processes that can respond to changes in demand and supply. Using data-driven and AI-enabled technologies can also help companies make more informed decisions and identify opportunities for optimization and efficiency.
Hidden beneath the waves of chaos is a tapestry of synchronicity. Our challenge is to ride the waves of chaos with purpose, trust, and agility allowing everything in its time to unfold and harmonize. Just like the mythical Phoenix, which rises from the ashes of its own destruction, we will use times of crisis as an opportunity to invent ourselves and emerge stronger and more resilient in the end.
NITIN UCHIL Founder, CEO & Technical Evangelist