Leading toymaker Hasbro has joined forces with 3D printing technology manufacturer Formlabs to launch the 'Hasbro Selfie Series,' which invites consumers to order action figures that look just like them.
The new service invites consumers to scan an image of their face using the Hasbro Pulse app, which they can then upload to Hasbro's print factory. Of course, the factory is equipped with Formlabs 3D printers, which are able to produce highly detailed replicas of users' heads in miniature figurine form. In addition, users will be able to choose what kind of action figure they would like to attach to their 3D-printed heads. For example, they can order figures from Hasbro's Marvel, Star Wars, Power Rangers, GI Joe, and Ghostbusters series.
"Formlabs worked with Hasbro to develop a custom resin which enabled a diverse range of colors for skin and hair tones," said the company in a recent blog post. "Based on our Tough 1500 Resin, the new material produces prints that simulate polypropylene (PP) parts in terms of stiffness and strength."
Selfie-Based Action Figures
Hasbro and Formlabs Partner to Put Your Face on an Action Figure
Trend Themes
1. Personalized Action Figures - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Marketing personalized action figures as collectibles and gifts for fans of popular franchises.
2. User-generated Content - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Partnering with brands to provide users with tools and platforms to create and share their own content.
3. 3D Printing Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Providing 3D printing services for consumers to create custom products at a reasonable price point.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Introducing customized, user-generated content options to toy manufacturing and collecting industries.
2. Entertainment - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Integrating personalized merchandise into entertainment franchises to engage fans and increase revenue streams.
3. Printing and Imaging - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing advanced printing materials to enable a diverse range of colors and achieve high levels of detail in 3D printing technology.