Objective Networks sm Collaboratory

1. Objective NetworkssmCollaboratory Component Objects as an Advanced Content Form for Virtual Internet2 By Fred Abler, Cal Poly SLO

2. What is the ‘Virtual Building’ Model? ‘Virtual Building’ Model is a revolutionary concept Does not digitally recreate a 2D or paper based design & drafting process Chris Chin –Design Architect : ZGF (used w/ permission)

3. The Virtual Building Model (VBM) VBM proposes that a 3D ‘virtual’ model is made Chris Chin –Design Architect ZGF (used w/ permission)

4. VBM = ‘Virtual’ 3D Component Objects A Virtual Model contains many component objects doors windows walls tables lights rooms hvac Chris Chin –Design Architect ZGF (used w/ permission)

5. Makeup of a ‘Virtual’ 3D Object Geometry Points, lines, vertices, dimensions, appearance, surfaces, etc. Attributes Mfg. model name, Url product #, qty, cost, aluminum clad exterior, tempered glass, low-E glass Behaviors Self –Trimming, Double hung, natural ventilation, day lighting, view portal

6. What is a Component Object ? A virtually embodiedautonomous agent unlike other software agents or bots, it has embodiment A situatedagent its behavior is context dependent A portable robot it can be teleported (i.e. soft-bots)

7. Component Objects = Dynamic Ensembles VBM = 100’s or 1000’s of ‘Virtual’ Objects (i.e. soft-bots) Component Objects work together opportunistically as a dynamic ensemble The dynamic ensemble provides a VBM that can generateInformation On Demand ! Dynamic Virtual Building Models change the nature of professional practice

8. InformationOn Demand ! 2D Projections are just another document type drawings are a view of the 3D model from a specific angle at a specified time drawings are by- products of design not the end product

9. InformationOn Demand! Easy and cost efficient simulation at any stage 3D Design and Visualization (rendering, animation, public review, etc.) Thermal, Day lighting Analysis, and Energy Audits LBNL Simulation Research Group – DOE-2 Construction Management (4D materials delivery) Stanford CIFE - ‘logic bust’ at Disney Concert Hall

10. Integrated Information Complex rules, behaviors & relations between objects communicated programmatically Automated Code Compliance applications Solibri “Design Spell Checker’ Faster & more accurate cost estimation Timberline CAD Integrator Real Estate & Facilities Management (FM) Model for full Lifecycle Facility Management

11. VBM = Parametric Change Engine 3D Model Core =Parametric Change Engine (all model information is updated automatically) VBM = True Building Model(virtual model can be single point of reference & change)

12. Evolution of the VBM The Virtual Building Model is not a new concept Early ME CAD packages pioneered the concept (1970’s) First Wave‘Design Systems’(mid 1980’s)failed because : - CAD workstations were $50K plus - Plotter technology was inadequate, slow, & costly - AEC Industry is large vertical market (500B$+) - Little economy of scale - most buildings are unique - cannot tie virtual models directly to mfg’.

13. Commercializing the VBM Second Wave‘3D Modelers’(mid 1990’s) also failed : - Industry is highly federated - Many small players in local markets (70% of firms < 10 people) - Virtual Teaming and fractured workflow typical - Virtual objects were not ‘smart’ enough - Primitive 3D interfaces Third Wave‘Building Information Modelers’(2000) : - Those using BIMs, do so in 2D work modes - Most firms have not made leap to modeling entirely in 3D - Serious lack of interoperability for 3D building objects

14. TheDimensional Disconnect 3D models for visualization 2D drawings for CDs

15. The Network Disconnect “Interoperability” for component objects does not exist Urgent need for a common information language High bandwidth has less utility if all information must be interpreted by humans

16. “Interoperability” Coordinated efforts to improve interoperability of design and engineering tools ongoing since late 1980’s As OO paradigm evolved & 3D tools for design became available, need to define natural & built environment in a common, agreed format emerged • STEP (Standard for the Exchange of Product Data) –ISO • IAI ( International Alliance for Interoperability) • CSI ( Construction Specifications Institute )

17. IAI “Interoperability” AutoDesk founded the IAI in 1995 with 100% support of CAD vendors and AEC community IAI proposed Industry Foundation Classes (IFCs) as a common information language IFCs provide a neutral interface for exchanging virtual component objects between proprietary CAD systems However, the promise of object standards has not been realized due to a number of problems

18. Hitting the ‘Semantic’ Wall What is a Wall? To Architect: Wall = spatial boundary To Engineer: Wall = structural member To HVAC: Wall = thermal barrier To Estimator: Wall = $/lineal foot To FM: Wall = division of functions Semantic specification is hard, lengthy, & expensiveIFC progress has been slow ( IFC v2.0 2002 )

19. IFC-based “Interoperability” The IFC Object Model has become huge and complex - It’s difficult to extract information for a particular application - All other software applications IFC compliant IFC standards are focused on ‘software engineering’ levels of interoperability (i.e. not usability) To achieve compatibility w/ a “reasonable” amount of work, software engineers must use middleware

20. ‘Virtual’ Interoperability There are currently multiple standards for describing component objects (IFCs, AECxml, BLISxml, ISO, NCS, GDL, DXF, etc.) Standards efforts are ongoing and evolving Competing standards hurt industry already burned by poor 2D interoperability

21. Current State-of-the-Art Industry is on threshold of adopting the concept of interoperability Industry is slowly putting component models into use Current users can be described as “early adopters” Majority of industry (90%) has not yet reacted Potential for concrete cost savings is visible, but the future is uncertain

22. XML : the emerging standard A few large CAD Vendors have threatened to leave the IAI Major CAD & Software vendors now prefer XML solutions XML is human readable XML is extensible XML is application neutral XML is flexible XML exploits e-commerce frameworks XML is becoming a lingua franca XML has greater REACH !

23. XML : the emerging standard Crucial features of communication systems are: Volume:how much can it transmit ? Transaction Latency :how long to do it ? Isochronicity : perceptual window ? Price :how much does it cost ? Reach :where can service be provided? Andrew OdlyzkoThe Many Paradoxes of Broadband 2003

24. Disruptive Networks ‘Reach’ is the most compelling feature of inter- connecting networks (i.e., world wide web) Network ‘Reach’ overcomes the friction of distance IFCs predated the commodity Internet which disrupted the definition of component objects Disruption is a good thing ! How will high-capacity networks disrupt the VBM?

25. Networks in Construction & FM Finnish National Technology Agency(1992) Finland makes IT in Construction national research priority VERA Research Program(1997-2002)Information Networking in Construction Process 42mEuros VTTTechnology Foresight(2002 -2012) “The FM/AEC industry is not in a position to solve problems such as high-speed data transfer or data security”

26. Info-structure vs. Infrastructure High-capacity networks are incorrectly seen as an “infrastructure” issue AEC industry taking ‘hands off’ approach However, a critical relationship exists between: B ~ object-form ~ delivery Industry unaware of disruption or potential of NGIs High Capacity Networks will significantly impact delivery of VBM, both +/-

27. Broadband as Enabling technology Broadband = Performance Near real-time access to very large and complex VBMs & Virtual Worlds w/ many thousands of virtual objects - Unlimited information density – drill down - Isochronicity - no perceptible lag in manipulating virtual models - Plural Projections - 2D, 3D & 4D are not a problem - XML – Metadata‘Bloat’ has negligible negative impact - Extranets, ‘Project Portals’, and AEC web servicesbecome a reality

28. Broadband as Enabling technology Broadband = Collaboration incremental and proactive standards; virtual teams, streamline fractured workflow; begin to change industry culture Broadband = Acceleration Broadband connectivity is likely to quickly re-engineer industry empower individuals empower vendors empower larger corporations

29. Broadband as Disruptive technology Rather than port information file-wise between CAD systems, broadband allows us to ‘port the users’… “ Broadband Interoperability is as simple as giving your engineer permission to ‘open a port’ on your model” Broadband will dramatically enable 3D modeling, Design, & Collaboration via Shared Project Databases

30. Broadband obviates Interoperability http://www.shared-database.I2

31. Shared Databases : A Case Study Walgreen Drugstore: World’s largest commercial user of satellite networks 4000+ pharmacies connected by VSAT network One centralized database Supports e-commerce 10,000 stores by 2010 Current valuation ($32 Billion) James Collins From Good to Great 2001

32. Broadband Rx “ Among the many paradoxes of Broadband is that although there is a remarkable degree of unanimity that broadband is great and highly desirable, we don’t really know what it’s good for, and in general are not willing to pay much for it. “ Andrew Odlyzko The Many Paradoxes of Broadband 2003

33. Broadband Rx “Bandwidth is a nearly perfect substitution for switching” B = Switching Claude Shannon A Mathematical Theory of Communication1948

34. Broadband Rx To commercialize broadband, we need to synergistically transform low value resources (i.e. fungible commodities) into something extremely valuable… Switching ( transistors are ubiquitous) + Bandwidth( not quite as cheap, but plentiful ) = ???? (something very precious)

35. Broadband Rx “Bandwidth is a perfect substitution for Truth Maintenance” B = Truth Maintenance Truth Maintenance in AI - non-monotonic logics - uncertainty reasoning Cognitive Dissonance Theory 1957 Fred Abler A Utility Theory of Communication2003 image by Peter Wall

36. ‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies Bandwidth = Truth Maintenance The Truth is extremely time and context sensitive IF B = Truth, THEN value is not very high The Truth has a shelf-life e.g., Thanksgiving at Wal*Mart IF B= Truth Maintenance, THEN value is extreme! The Truth is a singularity

37. ‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies “A knowledge-based economy is materializing where the competitive edge of many firms has shifted from static price competition towards dynamic improvement, favoring those who can create knowledge faster than their competitors.” Peter Maksell Social Capital & Regional Development 1999 Danish Research Unit for Industrial Dynamics

38. ‘Truth Maintenance’ Technologies Virtual Building Model (local) parametric change engine + Broadband(global) truth maintenance = Truth Maintenance System (TMS) Synergistic Truth Maintenance technologies are likely to dramatically re-engineer the AEC Industry… - cost avoidance and new efficiency - new application class: ‘Truth Maintenance Systems’ - new value adding ‘web services’ - new knowledge industries

39. Mirror Worlds

40. Virtual Worlds

41. World Making

42. Broadband Truth & Consequences Broad-shared databases “localize” interoperability making the issue transparent to end users Software engineers & cumbersome ‘middleware solutions’ are not needed to play (small AEC firms can play) Where programmatic access is required, we can provide “facades” for web services

43. Project Database ASPs scaling of shared databases AEC/Virtual World project webs

44. Broadband Truth & Consequences Likely broadband consequences suggest that new research, development, and collaboration are needed… New Model Server technologies are needed New Compound, 3D, and 4D Document types are needed Sharing versioned building models and component objects New 3D methods of organizing work are required From 2D layers to 3D worksets (i.e. fixed, temporary, or even ‘smart’ collections of virtual objects)

45. Truth Maintenance & Consequences Research on Multi-User Collaboration and workflow: From subject matter experts to knowledge engineering and publishing From craft guilds and ateliers to flexible systems engineering From master architect to collaborative design, including vendors Object-based Truth Technologies are needed: Virtually Embodied Autonomous Agents Ontologies and Intelligent Discovery Services ‘Smart locking’ for Virtual Objects

46. Truth Maintenance & Consequences New modes of Human-Computer Interaction needed Existing 3D interfaces are primitive Broadband is also disrupting HCI Many truths can only be expressed virtually Collaborative 3D DesignProcesses are needed Use of component objects in upstream processes (Design and planning) Component and model-driven design 3D Component Object libraries for world-making Representing Space-Time for 4D Simulation

47. Truth Maintenance & Consequences Cultural changes in the professions are needed : Foster a willingness to collaborate Provide broadband access i.e., Lambda-Grants ™ Provide IT know how Begin with the future of the profession (Students and a critical focus on education) Need to exploit new forms of ‘virtual’ culture that broadband interconnectivity enables Collaboratories

48. Objective Networks smCollaboratory Mission: collaboratively investigate, research, & develop: 3D component object libraries for world-making Broadband Project Databases & ASPs Broadband component and model server technologies Open and value-adding service networks ‘Truth Maintenance’ technologies and Systems Mirror worlds and Virtual worlds Educational awareness & development of 3D design and other world-making skills

49. Objective Networks sm Collaboratory Research & Network Affiliates Fred Abler – Cal Poly, SLO, CA Madis Pihlak – Penn State University, SC, PA Walt Bremer – Cal Poly, SLO CA Marilyn Farmer – Cuesta College, SLO, CA

50. Objective Networks sm Collaboratory Corporate Research Affiliate : @Last Software, Boulder, Colorado