May 30, 2016 | By Tess

Listen up makers, 3D printing company Shapeways and drone manufacturer DJI have partnered to launch a maker challenge that has the potential to save lives. The challenge, called the Search and Rescue 3D Printing Design Contest, is asking makers and designers everywhere to create 3D printed accessories for DJI’s Phantom 4 drone to optimize its search and rescue (SAR) capabilities.

The DJI Phantom 4, which is heralded as the company’s smartest flying camera ever, is a lightweight and long-range UAV with a built in high performance camera, making it an ideal search drone. Shapeways and DJI are hoping that their challenge will result in and inspire ideas for making the Phantom 4 not only a suitable search drone, but the ultimate rescue drone. The goal for those who want to partake in the contest then, is to design and create 3D printed accessories that could improve the UAV in a number of ways, such as improving its visibility, allowing it to carry payloads, and even allowing it to land on water.

Eli Morgan Harris, DJI’s business development director, says, “This challenge means more lives could be saved with fewer first responders put at risk. The 3D-printed drone modification products developed through this challenge could make a huge difference – even save lives.”

To partake in the SAR drone design challenge, you’ll have to conceive of and design a novel 3D printable accessory for either the DJI Phantom 4 or an earlier Phantom model, which could assist first responders in their missions. DJI has made 3D scans of the drone available through the contest page to design with the proper dimensions. Once completed, you’ll have to upload your design to the Shapeways store with the tag “SAR3DP” as either an .STL or .OBJ file along with a description of the accessory and its search and rescue benefits. All submissions must be in before July 15th, 2016.

Once all the designs are in, they will be judged by a panel of experts on a number of criteria. These include compatibility with the DJI Phantom 4 or other Phantom model, the accessory’s direct ability to help first responders, originality of the design, and its 3D printability in Shapeways materials. A grand prize winner, and three runner ups will be determined as of October 1st, 2016 at the New York City Makerfaire. There, the winning 3D printed designs will be demonstrated and subsequently donated to the California fire department to be tested and used in the field.

In addition to the recognition, the grand prize winner will be awarded a DJI Phantom 4 Advanced Quadcopter (a value of $1,499) as well as $1,000 in Shapeways printing credit. The three runner ups will receive $500 in Shapeways printing credit. For eligibility details, check out the official Shapeways contest page, here.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printing Application

 

 

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