How AI & 3D Scanning Will Shape Manufacturing in 2025
The factory of the future is a digital one.
One that harnesses the power of technologies like AI, digital twins and virtual reality to unlock unprecedented advancements in efficiency, creativity and transparency.
In 2025 this reality will grow more prominent, as AI and 3D scanning technologies have a significant impact on manufacturing operations.
Experts at Artec 3D sat down with Manufacturing Digital to highlight three key areas where this impact will be felt.
1. AI evolution in workflows
Sergey Sukhovey, Chief Experience Officer & Co-founder at Artec 3D argues that AI is going to create a profound evolution in workflows.
“3D scanning users are continually looking for higher quality results, but this requires the collection of a tremendous amount of data," he explains.
"As software needs to digest such data, big projects can take hours to process.
"AI helps users handle captured 3D scans, by filtering out noise to deliver a qualitative result."
This development will make the adoption and use of 3D scanning in manufacturing significantly more efficient and precise in addition to reducing digital storage requirements.
"Advances in the technology mean this workflow can also be achieved faster while using less storage – this is essential for cloud-based processing," Sergey concludes.
2. AI shaping photogrammetry
Photogrammetry is the process of taking overlapping photos of an object or environment and using them to create a 3D model or other digital representation.
Photogrammetry isn't a new technique, dating back to as early as 1480 with Leonardo da Vinci's artistic experimentations with linear perspective.
It was formally invented in 1849 by French scientist Aimé Laussedat, the "Father of Photogrammetry" when he took glass photographs from church steeples in Paris and used them to create a map.
Today, digital technologies have created exciting new opportunities for photogrammetry. We recently covered an example of this with the company Framence, which is using AI to create photorealistic digital twins.
Andrei Vakulenko, Chief Business Development Officer & Co-founder at Artec 3D believes these aforementioned opportunities will only grow with the introduction of AI.
“We see a huge new opportunity for AI in photogrammetry," he explains.
"Instead of a long, boring process of picking through 1,000s of photos, AI allows you to just take a video or much smaller number of photos with your smartphone and achieve the same result.
"In some cases, you can even get to the same level as low-to-medium priced 3D scanners."
Gleb Gusev, Chief Technology Officer & Co-founder at Artec 3D agrees, adding that: "Excitingly, AI photogrammetry has the potential to open 3D scanning to an entirely new user base, as it’s compatible with any smartphone or DSLR camera."
He goes on to highlight how by combining AI and 3D scanning, users like manufacturers can essentially improve the outcomes of both technologies.
"There are many scenarios where utilising this technology alongside traditional 3D scanning would help you get the best out of both," he says.
"For example, you can capture an object with a 3D scanner, then reconstruct the entire surrounding scene with AI photogrammetry."
Gleb predictions that in 2025 and the future, improvements in AI are going to increase the adoption of 3D scanning technologies.
"In the future, I believe these algorithms will get better and faster," he says.
"Already, these algorithms can handle shiny, semi-transparent and featureless surfaces – areas where traditional photogrammetry struggles.
"AI-powered reconstructions will only get more accurate.
"I anticipate that they are going to liberalise 3D scanning and open the technology to new markets.”
AI will also increase the presence of 3D scanning in markets where it is already being utilised, like healthcare manufacturing.
3. Further healthcare innovations
We've previously covered Artec 3D's incredible contributions to healthcare manufacturing, working with Humanity & Inclusion to use 3D scanning in Rwanda to create flexible, tailored prosthetics for refugees.
Gleb states that healthcare will continue to be a critical market for this technology, with numerous applications.
“Healthcare is a fast-growing market where the accessibility of 3D scanning can bring a lot of benefits in the near future," Gleb explains.
"We see many real-life use cases in which the technology has dramatically improved healthcare products (like medical corsets, facial implants, and prosthetics) making them more personalised and improving fit. The only barrier to wider adoption is pricing."
Gleb says once this pricing barrier is overcome, we're going to see a profound growth in medical 3D scanning applications.
"As cheaper devices and technologies like AI photogrammetry enter the market, medical 3D scanning applications should grow further, allowing for patient-specific solutions based on 3D scans that bring humanitarian benefits and opportunities for entrepreneurs," he says.
Andrei adds that he sees exciting applications for this in educational environments and across manufacturing.
“We anticipate that this trend will create significant opportunities, not just for SMEs, but for schools, colleges, and universities," he explains.
"Easier access to AI-powered photogrammetry will allow teachers to educate students on the potential of digital twins, additive manufacturing and much more.
"This means budding engineers getting hands-on with the technology at a very early age.
It may start with playful projects (like 3D scanning and printing models of each other), but it will also provide them with valuable skills, which can one day be utilised in the workforce.”
In 2025, AI and 3D scanning technologies will continue to shape the future of the manufacturing sector, across vital verticals like healthcare and within the classrooms where the future of the industry awaits.
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