Motorola has teamed up with 3D systems to develop a continuous 3D printing production platform for Project Ara.
Project Ara is Google-owned Motorola's open-source mobile hardware ecosystem and is targeting to create "highly-custom, modular smartphones" which will enable users to "make functional and aesthetic choices about their device."
Users will have the option of upgrading to devices with plug-in modules, which can range from batteries to displays to 3D scanners etc. Ara aims to be a sort of open Android ecosystem for hardware.
"With Project Ara, we asked the question, 'How do we bring the benefits of customization and an open hardware ecosystem to 6 billion people?' That is our driving application. It requires technical advances in areas such as material strength and printing with conductive inks for antennas. And those advances must support production-level speeds and volumes, which is a natural partnership with 3D Systems," said Regina Dugan, SVP and head of Motorola's Advanced Technology & Projects group.
3D Systems has also been bestowed with the responsibility of creating an integrated multi-material high-speed platform as part of the agreement, which will incorporate functional and conductive materials.
"Project Ara was conceived to build a platform that empowers consumers all over the world with customization for a product made by and for the individual," said Avi Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems. "3D printing promotes a level of sustainability, functionality, and mass personalization that turns these kinds of global ambitions into attainable local realities. Project Ara combines two exponential technologies, and we expect that the resulting high-throughput advanced manufacturing platform will have far reaching implications on the entire digital thread that stitches together the factory of the future."
3D Systems also intends to combine both additive and subtractive methods of manufacturing, in order to deliver an "integrated high-speed" platform.
Post the successful completion of the development phase, 3D Systems is anticipated to manufacture 3D-printed Ara smartphone enclosures, as well as modules. Moreover, the company will be Motorola's "exclusive fulfillment partner."
