University of Washington researchers have unveiled MobiPrint, a ground-breaking mobile 3D printer built on a modified consumer vacuum robot platform that can autonomously map rooms and print objects directly onto floor surfaces. The innovative system was presented at the ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology in Pittsburgh on October 15, 2024.
This novel approach to 3D printing combines autonomous navigation, LiDAR mapping technology, and an intuitive graphic interface that allows users to design and position objects within mapped spaces, opening new possibilities for accessibility modifications and customised home improvements.
MobiPrint – Mobile 3D Printing
The system’s primary applications include creating tactile markers for blind and low-vision individuals, printing temporary ramps over uneven floor transitions, and producing decorative elements up to three inches in height. These capabilities make MobiPrint particularly valuable for improving accessibility in various settings, from conference venues to residential spaces.
“Digital fabrication, like 3D printing, is pretty mature at this point. Now we’re asking: How can we push it further and further into the world, and lower the barriers for people to use it? How can we change the built environment and tailor spaces for peoples’ specific needs — for accessibility, for taste?”
– Daniel Campos Zamora, a doctoral student in the Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering
How MobiPrint Works
The printing process follows several key steps:
- Autonomous room mapping using LiDAR technology
- Conversion of the map into an interactive design canvas
- Selection or uploading of 3D models through the MobiPrint library
- Position and scale adjustment via the design interface
- Direct printing onto the floor using PLA bioplastic
Professor Jon E. Froehlich from the Allen School highlighted the system’s potential real-world impact: “I think about kids out biking or my friends and family members who are in wheelchairs getting to the end of a sidewalk without a curb. It would be so great if in the future we could just send Daniel’s robot down the street and have it build a ramp, even if it was working just for a short period of time.”
Future Development Plans
The research team is currently working on expanding MobiPrint’s capabilities to include:
- Object removal and plastic recycling functionality
- Printing on various surfaces including walls and tabletops
- Outdoor printing capabilities
- Integration of alternative materials such as concrete
The research project, co-authored by Purdue University Assistant Professor Liang He, received funding from the National Science Foundation. He contributed to the research during his time as a doctoral student at the Allen School.
This innovation represents a significant step forward in making 3D printing more accessible and practical for everyday applications, particularly in creating adaptive environments for people with varying needs.
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