<p>In the early-to-mid 1960s, sci-fi television shows like <em>The Jetsons</em> and <em>Lost In Space</em> introduced America to the idea of personal, at-home robots (Rosey and &#8220;the Robot,&#8221; respectively) that also served a practical purpose. Rosey was primarily used for domestic chores, while &#8220;the Robot&#8221; helped the Robinson family with travel and security. And as the years went on, countless other science fiction series and movies further cemented the idea that it was only a matter of time before we&#8217;d all be using robots at home to solve real problems.</p>
<p>Fifty years later, an extraordinary amount of technological progress has been made. But we still seem to be lacking the personal, at-home robots we were promised. Sure, AI-assistants like Alexa are common, but they lack the physical presence we&#8217;ve come to expect. And while there are plenty of amazing toy robots and robot companions available, most lack any practical value. But a new Kickstarter campaign hopes to introduce the public to a robot that is both intelligent and practical.</p>
<h1><a href="https://182aa98a.kckb.st" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Hexbot</a></h1>
<p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/RqAeGExXkvM" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>Known <a href="https://182aa98a.kckb.st" target="_blank" rel="noopener">as Hexbot</a>, it&#8217;s a versatile all-in-one robot arm that looks similar to the large, industrial machines you&#8217;d see in a factory. However, it&#8217;s small enough to fit on your desk top. Think of it as your own personal, miniaturized version of J.A.R.V.I.S. from the <em>Iron Man</em> films.</p>
<p>As mentioned above, <a href="https://182aa98a.kckb.st" target="_blank" rel="noopener">the Hexbot</a> easily fits on your current desk top. But don&#8217;t underestimate it based on size. The device transforms your office into a high tech workspace and assembly line. Thanks to its innovative design, easy-to-swap interchangeable modules allow the Hexbot to complete numerous, useful tasks including – but not limited to – drawing, writing, laser engraving, and even 3D printing. An optional conveyor belt can also be added. It&#8217;s perfect for hobbyists, designers, and pretty much anyone who wants to bring their ideas to life. And it can even be used as a companion to play various games like chess and and checkers.</p>
<figure id="attachment_148618" style="width: 1200px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://182aa98a.kckb.st" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img class="wp-image-148618 size-full" src="https://wp-assets.futurism.com/2019/01/Hexbox.png" alt="The Hexbot Robotic Arm." width="1200" height="800" /></a><figcaption class="wp-caption-text">Hexbot Robotics</figcaption></figure>
<p>The Hexbot&#8217;s patented decelerator design reduces the gap between gears, and allows for extremely precise repeatability. The Hexbot&#8217;s creators have also managed to significantly reduced motor noise to the point where you can literally take a nap beside it while it works. Best of all, Hexbot features a variety of intuitive and interactive control methods, including kid-friendly options like Blockly. And it comes with a 3.5-inch touchscreen, so you don&#8217;t even need to control it with a computer.</p>
<p>So if you&#8217;re in the market for a robot that&#8217;s both extremely smart and incredibly practical, <a href="https://182aa98a.kckb.st" target="_blank" rel="noopener">check out the Hexbot Kickstarter today</a>.</p>
<p><em>Futurism fans: To create this content, a non-editorial team worked with an affiliate partner. We may collect a small commission on items purchased through this page. This post does not necessarily reflect the views or the endorsement of the Futurism.com editorial staff.</em></p>


The 'Hexbot' transforms your desk into a 3D printer and high-tech assembly line

The 'Hexbot' Transforms Your Desk Into a 3D Printer and High-Tech Assembly Line

And yes, you can also play games with it.

The ‘Hexbot’ Transforms Your Desk Into a 3D Printer and High-Tech Assembly Line

<h2>Fabrication Station</h2>
<p>3D printers work by laboriously printing objects layer by layer. For larger objects, that process can take hours or even days.</p>
<p>But now scientists at the University of California, Berkeley have found a shortcut: a printer that can fabricate objects in one shot using light — and which could, potentially, revolutionize rapid manufacturing technology.</p>
<h2>The Replicator</h2>
<p>The <a href="https://doi.org/10.1126/science.aau7114">research</a>, published in the journal <em>Science </em>yesterday, describes a printer the researchers nicknamed &#8220;the replicator&#8221; in a nod to &#8220;Star Trek.&#8221;</p>
<p>It works more like a computed tomography (CT) scan than a conventional 3D printer. It builds a 3D image by scanning an object from multiple angles, then projects it into a tube of synthetic resin that solidifies when exposed to certain intensities of light. In two minutes, for instance, the team was able to fabricate a tiny figurine of Auguste Rodin&#8217;s famous &#8220;The Thinker&#8221; statue.</p>
<p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/t5UsRDS-wqI?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<h2>3D Printing 2.0</h2>
<p>The replicator might have groundbreaking implications, but it does have some inherent limitations as well: the objects it produces are small, and require special synthetic resin to produce.</p>
<p>But it&#8217;s an exciting new technology — and one that could lead to a &#8220;Star Trek&#8221; future.</p>
<p><strong>READ MORE:</strong> <a href="https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-07798-9">Forget everything you know about 3D printing — the ‘replicator’ is here</a> [<em>Nature</em>]</p>
<p><em><strong>More on 3D printing: <a href="https://futurism.com/the-byte/3d-printing-metal">We Can Now Easily 3D Print With Metal</a></strong></em></p>


It works more like a CT scan than a conventional 3D printer.

Watch a super-fast 3D printer scientists call the "replicator"

Light Printer

Scientists at the University of California found a way to 3D print objects out of a special resin using light from a projector.

Watch a Super-Fast 3D Printer Scientists Call the “Replicator”

It prints using light.

Bio-inks can print functional human skin.

Health & Medicine

It’s Only a Matter of Time Before We 3D Print Human Skin

Robots & Machines

This 3D Printer Can Print Four Materials at Once

This printer is going to change production.

Lease This 3D-Printer and Cut Your Production Costs

This affordable 3D printer prints in unlimited colors!

Future Society

Finally, an Affordable, Easy-to-Use 3D Printer

The series, called Waterscape, was developed by Japanese designer Haruka Misawa.

These Minimalist Aquariums Are Filled With Beautiful 3D-Printed Sculptures

<h2>Overcoming Limitations By Innovation</h2>
<p>From <a href="https://futurism.com/new-3d-printer-creates-implants-mineral-human-bone/">human bones</a> to <a href="https://futurism.com/ge-aviation-tests-biggest-engine-yet-made-3d-printed-parts/">jet engine parts</a>, products made through 3D printing technology have been increasingly transforming our world. The potential is limitless, and perhaps, at some point, it may no longer be a question of &#8220;what else can it print?&#8221; but &#8220;<em>how</em> else can we print?&#8221;</p>
<p>In a recent <a href="http://wyss.harvard.edu/viewpressrelease/257">press release</a>, scientists from Harvard&#8217;s <a href="http://www.wyss.harvard.edu/">Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineering</a> announce that they have just constructed a new 3D printer that could spew out conductive metallic ink at the microscale, possibly leading to more complex architectures and electronic devices.</p>
<p>It also has the ability to print objects in mid-air. By printing in mid-air, users can create freeform objects and patterns that were not possible using traditional 3D printers.</p>
<p><iframe width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_7lSZWOJwPA?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<h2>Re-engineering Printing</h2>
<p>The team was led by Wyss Core Faculty member Jennifer Lewis, and she describes their technology as a &#8220;laser-assisted direct ink writing method,&#8221; in <a href="http://www.pnas.org/content/early/2016/05/10/1525131113.full">the report</a> in the <i>Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences</i>.</p>
<p>The 3D metal printer has a nozzle that uses ink composed of silver nanoparticles, and as the ink is being sent out of the nozzle, it is also directly annealed through a precisely programmed laser.</p>
<p>The researchers indicate that this was devised with a heat transfer model to control the distance between the nozzle and the laser, allowing for the &#8216;on-the-fly&#8217; printing. This level of control allows for the wires to be printed directly on plastic surfaces due to the localized laser heating.</p>
<p>Apart from that, the printer nozzle, which looks much like a pen, is capable of positioning along the x, y, and z axes. Combined with a rotary print stage, you could, in fact, create precise curvilinear shapes like butterfly wire frames.</p>
<p>The silver wires were noted to exhibit excellent electrical conductivity, which the researchers believe could lead to nearly limitless applications. <span style="line-height: 1.42857;">Highly customized electronics, wearables, biomedical devices, and various architectures are just some of the imagined products that this printer could bring the world of technology.</span></p>
<p>Ultimately, the institute asserts that technology is a testament on how it&#8217;s still possible to <a href="https://futurism.com/disneys-3d-printer-produces-models-almost-instantaneously-using-light/">innovate current technologies</a>, even ones as sophisticated as 3D printing.</p>


A team led by researchers at Harvard's Wyss Institute have created a 3D metal printer that uses laser-assisted direct ink technology, allowing users to create metallic structures made out of silver mid-air.

New 3D Printer Uses Lasers to Print Metal Objects in Mid-Air

With the help of laser technology, this new 3D printer could lead to a new line of electronics and biomedical devices.

Polymaker’s system was designed to improve the surface quality of 3D prints.

Polymaker's system was designed to improve the surface quality of 3D prints.

PolySmooth Will Ensure All Your 3D-Printed Items Are Fully Polished

This modified 3D printer can ink images with high precision and detail.

/3 D Printer

Sponsored

The ‘Hexbot’ Transforms Your Desk Into a 3D Printer and High-Tech Assembly Line

Light Printer

Watch a Super-Fast 3D Printer Scientists Call the “Replicator”

Health & Medicine

It’s Only a Matter of Time Before We 3D Print Human Skin

Robots & Machines

This 3D Printer Can Print Four Materials at Once

Robots & Machines

Lease This 3D-Printer and Cut Your Production Costs

Future Society

Finally, an Affordable, Easy-to-Use 3D Printer

Robots & Machines

These Minimalist Aquariums Are Filled With Beautiful 3D-Printed Sculptures

Robots & Machines

New 3D Printer Uses Lasers to Print Metal Objects in Mid-Air

Robots & Machines

PolySmooth Will Ensure All Your 3D-Printed Items Are Fully Polished

Robots & Machines

A 3D Printer That Can Give You Your Next Tattoo

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