# Locally Sourced Building Machines The Digital Construction Platform Builds Using the Environment By Joey Haar | Published 2017-05-03 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-construction-platform References: [fastcodesign](https://www.fastcodesign.com/90112323/this-mit-robot-could-build-your-next-house-completely-with-local-materials?partner=rss&utm_source=feedly&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=rss%20fastcodesign&utm_content=rss) & [matter.media.mit.edu](http://matter.media.mit.edu/environments/details/3d-printed-hemi-ellipsoidal-dome) The Digital Construction Platform is a robotic system designed by [MIT's](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speech-to-reality) Mediated Matter Group. Though the bot might look something like a crane or some other traditional building machine, it couldn't be more different. That's because the Digital Construction Platform doesn't need to rely on any building materials being shipped in -- instead, it can build structures by relying on whatever materials are in the environment around it. Like a tree that builds itself up by collecting energy and materials from the air, the Digital Construction Platform is able to [spray any fluid material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-tor-alva), from mud to foam to wet concrete and anything else. This means that, rather than being used to build structures for humans, the platform could be sent to the bottom of the ocean to [build bases for coral reefs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nereid-marine-habitat) out of sand, for example. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.2/10 - Popularity: 49% | Activity: 39% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [AI](https://www.trendhunter.com/ai) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Digital Construction Platform:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore applications in remote or difficult-to-access locations for eco-friendly and sustainable construction. - **Locally Sourced Building Materials:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop technologies that can utilize and adapt to various fluid materials found in different environments. - **Environmentally-friendly Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create construction machines that minimize the need for transporting materials and maximize resource utilization. ### Who This Affects Most - **Construction:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrate advanced robotics and fluid material technologies to revolutionize the construction industry. - **Robotics:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Enhance the capabilities of construction robots to build structures in unconventional environments. - **Sustainable Development:** Disruptive innovation opportunity: Promote eco-friendly practices by utilizing locally sourced materials for construction projects. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Organically Printed Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lib-earth-house.md) - [Voice-Led Fabrication Robots](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/speech-to-reality.md) - [Reusable Framework Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unfold-form.md) - [Sustainable Growth Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/treesoil.md) - [Digital Glass Design Breakthroughs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/g3dp-2.md) - [Compact Modular Forest Cabins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-house.md) - [Mycelium-Growing 3D-Printed Scaffolds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-scaffold.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomaterial Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick.md) - [AI Homebuilding Platforms](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digs.md)