The future of collaborative design
The future of collaborative design
Autodesk and the Smithsonian explore human/AI collaboration
Autodesk and the Smithsonian explore human/AI collaboration
Creating a more positive future
Autodesk partnered with the Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building (AIB) to explore how people might design a more sustainable and equitable future using generative design, a form of AI that uses design goals and requirements to generate many potential solutions in order to create better outcomes.
Meet the Autodesk Co-Lab
Meet the Autodesk Co-Lab
The Co-Lab features a one-of-a-kind structure designed by Autodesk Research using generative design, as well as a multi-player interactive experience called Future Communities, built on Autodesk technology, which invites visitors to work together to design a community with the help and suggestions of AI.
Meet the Autodesk Co-Lab
Meet the Autodesk Co-Lab
The Co-Lab features a one-of-a-kind structure designed by Autodesk Research using generative design, as well as a multi-player interactive experience called Future Communities, built on Autodesk technology, which invites visitors to work together to design a community with the help and suggestions of AI.
Designing the Co-Lab structure
The Co-Lab generative design process allowed the team to quickly explore and refine multiple solutions to the design problem.
Human input
Human input
Our team specified requirements such as space limitations, visitor areas, weight capacity for heavy display screens, and more.
AI recommendations
AI recommendations
The AI generated thousands of options, prioritizing visitor experience and sustainability, and refined based on the team’s feedback.
Human selection
Human selection
After evaluating the best options, our team chose the most promising structure based on resources and alignment to desired outcome.
Desired outcome
Desired outcome
The AI detailed the specifications, resulting in a structure that is lightweight, futuristic, sustainable, and easy to build and disassemble.
Prototyping future communities
Prototyping future communities
Future Communities is an interactive experiment exploring how multiple stakeholders with different objectives and limited resources can collaborate and make trade-offs that lead to greener cities, commercial vibrancy, efficient spaces for people to live and work, and fair distribution of services to all residents.
Prototyping future communities
Prototyping future communities
Future Communities is an interactive experiment exploring how multiple stakeholders with different objectives and limited resources can collaborate and make trade-offs that lead to greener cities, commercial vibrancy, efficient spaces for people to live and work, and fair distribution of services to all residents.
Shaping future technology
Shaping future technology
To build a more equitable and sustainable future, diverse voices and values are vital contributions to the prototype. The way we build and train the AI affects its use and recommendations. As such, Future Communities is an invitation for visitors to join us in shaping the future of collaborative design.
Shaping future technology
Shaping future technology
To build a more equitable and sustainable future, diverse voices and values are vital contributions to the prototype. The way we build and train the AI affects its use and recommendations. As such, Future Communities is an invitation for visitors to join us in shaping the future of collaborative design.
Celebrating partner innovations
The Co-Lab also highlights examples of Autodesk customers who are using generative design to solve complex problems today.
Hyundai Elevate UMV
Hyundai Elevate UMV
How do you make a vehicle that can move through places that are only accessible by foot? The answer may be a car with legs.
Kartell AI Chair by Philippe Starck
Kartell AI Chair by Philippe Starck
How does a designer with a reputation for challenging expectations push against predictability? By taking a new approach to a familiar problem.
JPL interplanetary lander
JPL interplanetary lander
How can we search for life on distant planets? Creating a lightweight interplanetary robot that can endure the harsh conditions of space might be the next step.
Experience collaborative design
Visit the FUTURES exhibition
FUTURES invites visitors to dream big and imagine many possible futures on the horizon.Smithsonian Arts + Industries Building. Washington, DC Through July 6, 2022
Visit the Autodesk Gallery
Learn how we partner with innovators everywhere to design and make a better world. Autodesk San Francisco, California. Re-opening 2022
Take the next step: Explore generative design
Take the next step: Explore generative design
The world’s most innovative companies are using generative design today to solve complex problems by finding options they might never have considered on their own.
Meet Autodesk experts and find out how generative design can support your business needs.
Take the next step: Explore generative design
Take the next step: Explore generative design
The world’s most innovative companies are using generative design today to solve complex problems by finding options they might never have considered on their own.
Meet Autodesk experts and find out how generative design can support your business needs.
Discover a new possible
Discover a new possible
See how our customers are pushing the boundaries of their industries to redefine what’s possible.
See how our customers are pushing the boundaries of their industries to redefine what’s possible.