Elon Musk Models Rocket with Hand Gestures
Elon Musk, the man behind Tesla and SpaceX, is at it once again. He has just recently released a video about a new system that is sure to leave Star Wars fans and technology junkies alike in awe. Like a Jedi using “the force,” a user of the system will be able to move 3D rocket parts on a screen with just the motion of their hands.
With tweets from Musk like, “We figured out how to design rocket parts just w [sic] hand movements through the air (seriously). Now need a high frame rate holograph generator,” the hype surrounding this project is significant. Now, with the release of the video, people can finally see what he’s been talking about.
The system, made by SpaceX, uses 3D goggles and a Leap Motion gesture reader combined with Siemens NX computer aided design software, which allows a user to see and then move a virtual rocket part on a screen with their hands.
While a user cannot create an object from scratch on the system, they can modify objects. In the video, Musk says that this is a useful way to examine something that is three-dimensional.
And after the user is done manipulating the object on the screen, they can take it one step further and make it a reality. By putting the design through to a 3D printer that is capable of printing metal, they can print the object and use it where it’s needed.
For a few months SpaceX required with a Leap Motion controller and a computer screen. But after a time they decided to switch over to using 3D environments along with adapting the design experience employ Oculus Rift virtual reality glasses.
So far they’ve only used the system to create a rocket part. But, it appears as if it could be used with any 3D object.
“I believe we’re on the verge of a major breakthrough in design and manufacturing in being able to take the concept of something from your mind, translate that into a 3D object really intuitively on the computer and then take that virtual 3D object and make it real just by printing it,” Musk said in the video.
