Motorola will use 3D printing to create customized mobile phones - The Associated Press

Motorola, an American manufacturer of mobile phones bought by Google, announced a partnership with a company of 3D printing for creating components for Ara Project, a concept in which mobile users can combine modules with different functionalities.

Under the agreement, the company called 3D Systems will develop a line of high-speed printing, which should be able to create functional components. The 3D printing allows you to create objects, usually overlapping layers of special plastic. The technology has a community of enthusiasts, who usually print simple objects in relatively small printers.

Ara Project, announced last month by Motorola, wants to create a mobile phone that can be configured according to the

tastes and needs of the user by being able to fit various parts. These modules may only have aesthetic effects, or are functional: for example, a second battery to increase the autonomy of the device or a more powerful chamber. This technology will also replace components that are damaged or do updates to improve performance of the phone, how to install a new processor or more memory more easily.

When Ara

announced, Motorola said it aims to make the mobile phone is a platform, as opposed to an essentially closed the subject: “We want to make the hardware that the Android platform [ developed by Google] has done for software . ” The company says it wants to give users the ability to decide what the phone can do, how much and for how long can be used.

Motorola had worked with 3D Systems in a project which provided sophisticated technology of 3D printing and mobile phones so that stakeholders do experiments.