1. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org

2. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
12 | GPP–Gross Printed Product
2

3. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Around the world, 3D printers are emerging
as a potentially major disruption to
manufacturing, production, and trade.
Bringing the power to print and manufacture
goods to impoverished and isolated
households and communities has huge
implications for poverty alleviation efforts in
and of itself. But when combined with
advances in recycling and reuse processes,
the impacts will be unprecedented. Think of a
community without waste removal systems—
covered in the scourge of plastic bags tossed
into the air, wreaking havoc on livestock,
farming, and beyond. Now think of individuals
melting down recovered plastic and, for
example, printing them into useful components
for locally made agricultural machines.
3
12 | GPP | Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

4. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Players grappled with the power of 3D printers and how they might be used
to build new paths out of poverty.
Ideas ranged from the wacky to the cautionary. Some imagined printing entire
cities once the capacity for large-scale printing has been fully scaled. Others
worried about how to provide the necessary inputs to 3D printing. Many ideas were
more pragmatic: some suggested ways in which recycled materials could be used
as inputs to printers, simultaneously dealing with waste issues as well as resource
issues. One player highlighted the need to include programing and CAD skills
training alongside 3D printer distribution.
4
12 | GPP | From the Players
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B

5. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 5
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in 3D
printing.*
Canada**
*Cards have been lightly edited for readability.
**Player location was self selected.

6. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 6
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada

7. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 7
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children and
students build own offline and
online narratives around it
China
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA

8. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 8
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China

9. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 9
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway

10. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 10
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Publicly-accessible 3D printers
Canada
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada

11. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 11
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
http://i.materialise.com/blog/en
try/recycling-3d-printing-
materials-4-possible-solutions
is the recyclability of plastic.
Canada
Publicly-accessible 3D
printers
Canada
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada

12. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 12
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Love the idea, but 3D printers
are still costly, require
computers, CAD and skill.
Perhaps rapid prototyping with
simple materials?
USA
Publicly-accessible 3D
printers
Canada
http://i.materialise.com/blog/e
ntry/recycling-3d-printing-
materials-4-possible-solutions
is the recyclability of plastic.
Canada
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada

13. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 13
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Publicly-accessible 3D
printers
Canada
http://i.materialise.com/blog/e
ntry/recycling-3d-printing-
materials-4-possible-solutions
is the recyclability of plastic.
Canada
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada
Start community
competitions/demos that turn
trash into treasures. Local
parks and weekly events would
generate different thinking at
home.
USA
Love the idea, but 3D printers
are still costly, require
computers, CAD and skill.
Perhaps rapid prototyping
with simple materials?
USA

14. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 14
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Upcycling Centres for villages,
towns and cities: Community
based centres by locals for
self-help and innovation.
Germany
Publicly-accessible 3D
printers
Canada
http://i.materialise.com/blog/e
ntry/recycling-3d-printing-
materials-4-possible-solutions
is the recyclability of plastic.
Canada
Love the idea, but 3D printers
are still costly, require
computers, CAD and skill.
Perhaps rapid prototyping
with simple materials?
USA
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada
Start community
competitions/demos that turn
trash into treasures. Local
parks and weekly events
would generate different
thinking at home.
USA

15. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 15
12 | GPP | Micro-forecasts from the Game
Publicly-accessible 3D
printers
Canada
http://i.materialise.com/blog/e
ntry/recycling-3d-printing-
materials-4-possible-solutions
is the recyclability of plastic.
Canada
Love the idea, but 3D printers
are still costly, require
computers, CAD and skill.
Perhaps rapid prototyping
with simple materials?
USA
Some of the plastic can be
melted down and reused in
3D printing.
Canada
3D printers are fine, but you
still need materials to print.
lets work on inventing a home
recycling machine waste in =
raw materials out
USA
Introduce 3D printers to
schools and have children
and students build own offline
and online narratives around it
China
...and with 3D-printing we
could create healthy food on a
molecular level which would
require no effort of human
labor.
Norway
Would be good, if we had city-
sized 3D printers (working on
it). Unfortunately, they're quite
small right now, not large
enough for building
Canada
Start community
competitions/demos that turn
trash into treasures. Local
parks and weekly events
would generate different
thinking at home.
USA
Upcycling Centres for villages,
towns and cities: Community
based centres by locals for
self-help and innovation.
Germany

16. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
Signals from the Present
16
12 | GPP

17. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 17
Solar Sinter is a 3D printing project that
aims to make manufacturing possible in
the desert, utilizing only the sun and the
sand. Using solar panels for power, these
printers sinter the sand into a solid
material that can then be printed into a
wide array of objects.
The 3D4D Challenge
3D4D Challenge finalist Roy Ombatti wants
to provide properly shaped 3D printed shoes
that prevent further deterioration for people
suffering from foot infections and deformities
caused by the Jigger Fly in his home country
of Kenya.
12 | GPP | Signals from the Present
Solar Sinter
Image Source: www.3d4dchallenge.org/finalistsImage Source: www.markuskayser.com/work/solarsinter

18. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B 18
Italian inventor Enrico Dini has successfully printed a full size
two-story building using only sand and an inorganic building
compound. This development takes some of the expertise out
of building houses—the only skill needed to run this printer is a
basic understanding of CAD.
12 | GPP | Signals from the Present
3D Printed House
Image Source: www.gizmag.com/d-shape-3d-printer/21594

19. © 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
© 2013 Institute for the Future. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
March 2013
Foresight Engine Game Analysis:
25 Zones of
Future Innovation
© 2013 Institute for the Future for Rockefeller Foundation. All rights reserved. SR-1563B
A project by Institute for the Future and The Rockefeller Foundation
www.iftf.org/our-work/global-landscape/catalysts-for-change/catalysts-zones-of-innovation
Contact: Tessa Finlev, tfinlev@iftf.org