3D printing technology is developing exponentially. Unveiled at CES 2014 in early January, the tiny 3D printers can print a variety of small objects and pieces of furniture. The next step in development is bigger than you expected - a robot that prints your house!
A revolutionary robot designed by Professor Behrokh Khoshevis can print an entire two-story house with an area of up to 250 square meters. The technology was developed at the University of Southern California and has also gained the attention of NASA and major construction companies. The printer is based on the principle of 3D printing objects layer by layer. It has two crane arms and a frame that carries the print head. The whole machine runs along tracks and can work on all parts of the house at the same time. According to Professor Khoshevis, the machine can print a house in less than 24 hours. However, in order for the printer to do its job, it is necessary to create a suitable space around the construction site.
Additional work is also required when inserting the metal support frame and jambs for the windows and doors, which can be done by hand or with cranes. The rest of the build process is almost completely automated.
The innovative technology of 3D printing large buildings would revolutionize the construction industry, which could meet the growing demand for housing in city centers. While NASA has different plans with Professor Khoshevis' technology. Namely, he received a subsidy for experimenting with the construction of buildings on other Earth-like planets that would almost literally grow out of the ground with such technology. Human creativity has no limits.
