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Innovation

U.K. supermarket offers 3D printed shopper replicas in store

Will consumers jump at the chance to purchase miniature 3D replicas of themselves at the grocery store?
Written by Charlie Osborne, Contributing Writer

Going a step further than photo booths, U.K. supermarket chain Asda is trialling 3D printing scanners that allow you to create miniature replicas of yourself.

Starting at £40, shoppers popping in for their milk and bread can hop into a scanning booth, where a 3D digital model is generated and sent away to be made up in ceramic.

To build a three-dimensional replica of the subject, cameras take two minutes to scan from a variety of angles. After being sent away to a lab, the blueprint is recreated in 3D by printing it in thin, liquid ceramic layers.

Consumers can scan what they like -- whether it is themselves, their pets or objects -- and the models can be produced in full-colour, white or a bronze-style coating.

In a statement, Asda said:

"Evolving well beyond simply filling frames with photographs of friends and family, 3D printed 'mini me' figures will add a whole new dimension to shoppers' mantelpieces. The lifelike models are also expected to be popular as personalised wedding cake toppers, and you could even have a model of your family pet."

Asda's York store will trial the technology from 15 October, and if it proves popular, the supermarket chain plans to roll out the scheme nationwide.

Via: Asda

Image credit: Asda

This post was originally published on Smartplanet.com

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