The practice of 3D printing may soon be a lot simpler. New technology from the Microsoft Research Lab allows 3D scanning to be done from your smartphone, with no additional hardware needed.

Dubbed MobileFusion, the app allows you to walk around an object and scan it to your phone. It first captures the RGB data in an environment, then takes a stereo depth map as you make your way around an item.

Since an internet connection is not required, researchers see this as a useful tool for those on vacation, or hiking where a signal may not be available. Of course, given the time it takes to scan something, stationary people or objects are best.

Once a scan is complete, it’s rendered immediately, so users can see if they got the 3D image they desire.

➤ MobileFusion: Research project turns regular mobile phone into 3D scanner [TechNet]

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