64: Caddy - Building the next generation of CAD software for Mixed Reality
Jul 4, 2024
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Join Ed, Jason, Fan, and Raghavan, four innovative mechanical engineers who created Caddy, a cutting-edge CAD software for mixed reality. They discuss the journey from traditional CAD limitations to a collaborative, immersive experience that transforms 3D modeling. The team shares insights on harnessing generative AI to enhance coding skills and user interaction. With applications in hardware, education, and more, they envision a future where mixed reality reduces travel and boosts productivity in design.
The Caddy team transitioned from mechanical engineering to software development, motivated by enhancing the collaborative exploration of 3D models in mixed reality.
Caddy revolutionizes presentations by allowing immersive interactions with 3D models, emulating engaging experiences similar to those seen in films like Iron Man.
The integration of AI in Caddy aims to simplify user interactions and improve collaboration, making mixed reality more intuitive and accessible across various fields.
Deep dives
Team Background and Evolution
The team behind Caddy is composed of four engineers with diverse backgrounds in mechanical engineering and not much formal coding experience. Each member transitioned from various industries, such as automotive and aerospace, before coming together at Meta. Their collective experience sparked their motivation to build Caddy, a mixed reality application designed to enhance the collaborative exploration of 3D models. Their journey illustrates a remarkable shift from traditional engineering practices to embracing coding and software development as they learned to leverage emerging technologies.
Introduction to Caddy
Caddy is positioned as an innovative platform for visualizing and interacting with 3D models in mixed reality, enabling users to collaborate effectively. The application allows users to manipulate models as if they were in a three-dimensional space, similar to interactions depicted in films like Iron Man, where characters engage with holographic models. Caddy aims to revolutionize how engineers and designers present their work, moving away from traditional 2D presentations to a more immersive experience. The platform's functionality accommodates various users, from hobbyists to industry professionals, making it versatile for different applications.
Challenges Faced in Development
The development of Caddy encountered numerous unexpected challenges, reflecting the complexity of transitioning from hardware engineering to software. One significant obstacle was maintaining intuitive user interactions, particularly in managing features like model manipulation and sharing across different devices. The team also faced technical hurdles when trying to implement advanced functionalities while ensuring performance and user-friendly interfaces. They discovered that what seemed simple in theory often turned out to be complicated in practice, highlighting the intricate nature of software development.
AI Integration and Future Directions
Caddy's development explores the integration of AI for enhancing user interactions and guidance within the application. The team is working on incorporating AI models to ease communication in multilingual teams by providing real-time translation during collaborative sessions. They aim to utilize AI to simplify commands and engage users in a natural dialogue, reducing the need for complex gestures or interface navigation. By harnessing AI technologies, Caddy aspires to create a seamless and intuitive experience, making mixed reality more accessible and user-friendly for everyone.
Broader Applications and Vision
The team recognizes that Caddy's capabilities extend beyond engineering and CAD applications, opening up possibilities for various fields such as education and architecture. They envision its potential use in academic settings, enabling students from different universities to collaborate on projects easily. Feedback from users suggests that Caddy could also serve creative industries, where artists and designers can visualize their work in real-time. The continuous evolution of Caddy will focus on user needs and innovative use cases, aiming to redefine how people interact with technology and with each other.
After sitting in one too many Zoom meetings looking at flat images of 3D models, mechanical engineers Ed, Jason, Fan, and Raghavan decided that they could do better, taught themselves how to code and started to build Caddy - a CAD app for mixed reality. Tune in to episode 64 to hear their story.
