24-682 Special Topics: Design for the Fourth Industrial Revolution
12 units, Carnegie Mellon University
The Fourth Industrial Revolution recognizes the explosive and exponential growth in technology that merges the physical, digital and biological areas in a way that is poised to transform humankind. The extent, scope and speed of technological innovation has the potential to impact every industry and every person on the planet. From 3D printing to implantable technologies, blockchain to the sharing economy, the connected home to smart cities, technologies alone are effecting change. However, as these technologies combine and build upon each other the potential is unbounded. This course will study the Fourth Industrial Revolution from an engineering design perspective. Students will individually study one of the deep shifts in technology that are beginning to emerge. Next, teams of students will determine the implication and potential in combining these technologies. Teams will consider societal problems that their technology areas could impact. Finally, the student teams will follow a rigorous methodology to conceptualize scenarios and solutions for a societal problem, mapped out through the combined technology shifts. Students will learn What is the Fourth Industrial Revolution and what are its implications to society How to identify emerging trends in technology How to visualize technological information How to use Innovation thinking to consider future scenarios and conceptualize solutions with emerging technology How to consider commercialization as an indicator of moving through the implementation process How to consider the role of technology and societal problems The course is open to graduate students and upper level undergraduate students with a technical discipline.
Prerequisites: none listed
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