As an engineer, I am always fascinated by new manufacturing and fabrication technology. As an entrepreneur, I am wholly inspired by the brave souls who make their dreams come true. The tech on display here was absolutely fascinating, and I have no doubt that it will completely change the future of car buying, sure, but will also force the world to re-examine supply chain management as a whole.
In my field (aerospace), logistics completely dominates in-theatre effectiveness; the old adage of 'an army marches on its stomach' readily applies to aircraft as well, and availability is constrained almost entirely by correctly acquiring, distributing, and managing spares. The rapid-turnaround microfactory concept has the potential to completely remake this model (since ones and zeros are easier to send worldwide than physical products), and I am only one of several forward-thinking engineers and logisticians who see the enormous upside to this approach. The future looks bright, indeed.
For those who are not looking to merely drool over the latest and greatest tech, the retail space features a variety of products that demonstrate just how viable sustainable manufacturing can be. I held (and bought!) an Alchemy Goods wallet made from recycled bicycle rubber that might just change my life. There's jewelry made from reclaimed materials with a strong kinetic art/steampunk style that is absolutely incredible. For the fellow structures/materials geeks, there are numerous carbon composite offerings, including phone cases and belt buckles. The staff are all friendly and helpful, and *major* kudos to the company for having a retail space to bring in revenue and establish brand recognition while the cars of the future finish roadworthiness certification.
All in all, a brilliant store run by a brilliant company with a thoughtfully-executed idea. I will unfortunately be out of the state for the grand opening, but I certainly look forward to the IPO! read more