Party is “a creative lab that marries entertainment, product development, technology, and advertising” and the group has installed the world’s first 3D photobooth in the Harajuku area of Tokyo, Japan. The reservation only booth can be accessed from December 3rd to January 14, 2013. Party’s setup includes a 3-D scanner and a 3D printer that is used to capture the entire body of a person and then print out 3D model that is topographically accurate.
People using the photobooth need to sit still for at least 15 minutes as the scanner goes over the person from head to toe. Any movement will cause the scanner to have issues. The entire setup is a prototype at this point and may require manual adjustments form the people running it so users should expect the technology to have some glitches. The end product of the setup is an accurate four to eight inch 3D print that starts at $250.
The experience alone should be worth the price and the 3d rendition is something that can be kept as a memento of a magical trip to Japan or a moment with someone special. A family can have their entire group printed individually and then put in a frame which can be rearranged many times to create a new portrait. The possibilities are endless and the technology may become a regular part of fairs, malls and tourist attractions as normal 2D photo booths have done in the past.
Source: Fast Company
Photo: Fast Company