This idea is very cutting edge, and the market is not established. What is the underlying value proposition?
We see value in taking the capabilities traditionally limited to the machine shop, and making them accessible to a greater number of people. We see value in lowering the initial investment, overhead, time requirements, crafting skill, and technical expertise currently required to make all manner of things, including tools and “smart” objects. We see value in giving innovative individuals the power to implement ideas for themselves. These are the values that drive our vision. We are currently witnessing a phenomenon where personal invention and self-expression through technology are growing into a kind of cultural currency. This is similar to what happened in networked computing over ten years ago, culminating in today’s internet. We believe that when people are given more control over their environments, they can do great things. We also believe that personal fabrication can help people connect physical and online worlds in ways that are more meaningful and valuable. The aim of our tec
