Gallery: These Cute Little Drones Could 3-D Print a House

  • Image may contain Machine Motor and Engine
    Photos by Minibuilders
    01

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    A swarm of super cute, 3-D printing robots called "Minibuilders" could replace construction workers in the near future.
  • Three robots working in conjunction can lay a foundation build walls roofs and even act as a handyman fixing weak spots...
    Photos by Minibuilders
    02

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    Three robots working in conjunction can lay a foundation, build walls, roofs, and even act as a handyman fixing weak spots on demand.
  • Image may contain Machine Building Wood Human and Person
    Photos by Minibuilders
    03

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    Minibuilders employs a specially formulated, thermosetting build material made from 60% marble powder and 40% Axson Easymax which is cured using a pair of heat guns attached to the robots.
  • Image may contain Vase Potted Plant Plant Pottery Jar Urban Town Metropolis Building City and Planter
    Photos by Minibuilders
    04

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    These little laborers are directed by a master unit that also dispenses the concrete mixture through long tubes.
  • But each robot has some builtin smarts. For instance the robot that lays the foundation can follow a line drawn on the...
    Photos by Minibuilders
    05

    build-robot-03

    But each robot has some built-in smarts. For instance, the robot that lays the foundation can follow a line drawn on the ground by an architect.
  • Image may contain Toy Suspension and Machine
    Photos by Minibuilders
    06

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    To help advance the state of the are, the creators of Minibuilders have shared some of their findings [in technical journals](http://arxiv.org/abs/1406.3400).
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