3D Systems and Motorola partner on project Ara modular smartphone

Motorola (owned by Google) and 3D Systems partner up on modular 3d printed Ara smartphone. Idea behind it that you will able to make a custom smartphone with exchangeable and upgradeable modules.



Here is a video on why it is not going to work:




http://motorola-blog.blogspot.jp/2013/10/goodbye-sticky-hello-ara.html

http://www.3dsystems.com/press-releases/3d-systems-and-motorola-partner-modular-custom-smartphone#.Up0F98TuJ8E


From 3d Systems page:

As part of this agreement, 3D Systems plans to substantially expand its multi-material printing capabilities including conductive and functional materials. The company also plans to combine additive and subtractive manufacturing methods, and deliver an integrated high-speed production platform. Pending successful completion of the development phase, 3D Systems is expected to manufacture 3D-printed Ara smartphone enclosures and modules as Motorola’s exclusive fulfillment partner.
Motorola and 3D Systems, the inventors of the cell phone and 3D printer, respectively, have previously partnered on the MAKEwithMOTO tour, a series of make-a-thons at the nation’s top engineering and design schools aimed at exploiting the power of open, hackable smartphone hardware and 3D printing to begin seeding an open hardware ecosystem.