We’re all living in a simulation, but it’s reality.

You might suspect that life is just a Matrix-like simulation, a virtual reality experience that is so realistic, we just assume it’s real. Well, when it comes to products and new things, that’s how it works now.

Eight years ago, when researchers were looking for new efficient organic solar cells, they realized it would take far too long to experiment with billions of permutations; so they built a machine learning system to simulate different combinations from a vast dataset of organic compounds. That was just the first step.

Now we routinely teach machines, robots, and 3D printers how to design and build things in a simulated environment. The smart software networks running the physical machines learn much faster, and can test thousands, sometimes millions, of prototypes without wasting anything ‘real’. After that, it’s straight from the drawing board to the shop floor.

Soon we’ll be able to get SIM printers for the office or home. Think of it like a microwave that you don’t have to load with food. Instead you feed it with ideas of what you need (or want), and the system figures out how best to make it. When you’re happy with the simulated product, you ‘SIMply’ print; and there you have it!

Who says living in a simulation doesn’t have its advantages?