Motorola announced an ambitious project to build modular smartphone, the project is called Project Ara. The project is quite ambitious given that smartphones are tiny gadgets compared to PCs and it is going to be a big task to build commercial modular smartphones. Motorola is not sitting idle it is going forward with its plan to bring a modular smartphone to the market. Motorola entered into an agreement with 3D Systems to manufacture components and modules for its Project Ara.
3D Systems issued a press release saying that it partnered with Motorola to create a high-speed 3D printing platform and fulfillment system for Motorola’s Project Ara. If 3D Systems succeeds in developing such a platform then it will manufacture 3D-printed Ara smartphone enclosures and modules as Motorola’s exclusive fulfillment partner.
“Project Ara was conceived to build a platform that empowers consumers all over the world with customization for a product made by and for the individual,” said Avi Reichental, President and CEO of 3D Systems. “3D printing promotes a level of sustainability, functionality, and mass personalization that turns these kinds of global ambitions into attainable local realities. Project Ara combines two exponential technologies, and we expect that the resulting high-throughput advanced manufacturing platform will have far reaching implications on the entire digital thread that stitches together the factory of the future.”
Project Ara, the modular smartphone concept allows users to swap components of cell phone to change when they want to upgrade like we do with PCs. For example you need a better camera, then you can just change that module and put a better config camera. So far it looks like the project is progressing, if it goes as planned we might see something out if it in the next year around this time.
