'LaserFactory' Manufactures Fully Functional Devices & Drones

Researchers from MIT  introduce their "LaserFactory" system, which can manufacture functional, custom-made devices without any human intervention. The automated system could potentially enable rapid prototyping of items like wearables, robots, and printed electronics. The single system integrates 3D printers and laser cutters, and uses a three-ingredient recipe that lets users create structural geometry, print traces, and assemble electronic components like sensors and actuators. “LaserFactory” has a software toolkit that allows users to design custom devices and a hardware platform that fabricates them. The manufactured device is then fully functional, and in the case of a drone, it can immediately take off to begin a task.