Pocket-sized 3D replicas of our kids are a thing, and they’re
coming to a shop near you, says
Rebecca Simpson
.
I
wish I could take you on this
trip with me, jump in my
suitcase!” This phrase has been
uttered by a million business-
travelling mums and dads across the
globe. We’ve all had that yearning to
keep our little ones close as we travel
for work or duck away for a bitter-
sweet weekend off. Now, thanks to
the wonders of modern technology,
you can take a mini-me of your kids
everywhere you go. Pocket-sized 3D
replicas of kids are a thing, and they’re
coming to a shop near you. And no,
it’s not creepy at all.
3D printing is changing the lives
of parents across the world. The
technology on display at this year’s
annual technology showcase CES
in Las Vegas was mind-boggling.
In hard-hitting news, there’s been
positive talk by companies like
Hershey’s about the innovations made
in 3D printed edibles. This means
some day soon we’ll be able to design
our own chocolate and print it out on
the spot. A new generation of delicious
family snacking is just around the
corner. Paleo families need not apply.
But on a truly serious note,
throughout 2014 we saw 3D printing
impact everyday families in beautiful
ways. Last year, 3D printed hearts,
heart valves and windpipes helped
surgeons save the lives of newborn
babies. Leading surgeons have touted
the technology as having a dramatic
impact on the industry. It truly is an
incredible game-changer for families
when it comes to health – nothing is
more precious than a new life.
3D printing is also a game-
changer when it comes to capturing
memories, keepsakes and baby books.
Much like everything changed with
the introduction of digital cameras,
there’s a 3D revolution coming and
parents are going to love it. Soon, it
will be time to clear the shelves and
make room for 3D prints of your most
precious memories. Yes mums, you
can 3D print your cute little kids and
keep them young forever! It’s even
possible to print them while they’re
still in utero. Yes, you can print your
unborn child. Crazy!
UK supermarket ASDA launched
a 3D scanning service last year that,
in just 12 seconds, scanned a person
to create an eight-inch model replica.
Incredibly, mums could get a full
mini-me set of the family in less time
than it took to do the weekly shop.
It may be efficient, but it’s definitely
not cheap as each figurine cost about
HK$650.
This year, the technology is only
going to get better, cheaper and
more accessible. For now it sounds
like a novelty, but we may well be
ordering festive family figurine sets
from Wellcome instead of sending
personalised Christmas cards by
December.
GOT TO HAVE ONE?
Prices for little 3D printed babies
start from about HK$2,000 on
and all you
need is a 3D scan or good quality
newborn photos. Prints come in
a range of sizes, skin tones and
positions so you can completely
personalise your little person.
The next
dimension
“
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April 2015
35
