Future Vision
Cannybots racing toy cars from CNBC.com
I am interested in the affects 3d printing may have on the toy industry because 3d printing could easily enter and disrupt the market. The majority of today’s toys are mass produced and made of plastic. I believe that the level of customization made possible in 3d printed toys has not yet been fully explored though toy companies have begun to utilize 3d printing.
In fact, the company Hasbro launched the superfanart.com site to allow fans of My Little Pony to sell their 3d designs through Shapeways. 3d printing would allow children to not only customize the color hair of their favorite My Little Pony, but children are now able to create entire custom dolls from scratch. The company Makies allows children to build their own doll with options to customize doll ears, eyes and mouths. Cannybots allows kids to design and 3d print their own smartphone controlled racecars. The influence of 3d printing can not only be felt in the children’s toy market but in toys advertised for adults as well. The company Thatsmyface.com prints action figures with the faces of its customers.
Moreover, with technology and building sets driving toy sales across the USA and Europe 3d printing is poised to radically influence the global toy market. According to the Toy Industry Association, domestic toy sales in 2014 were valued at $22 billion. As consumers are already open to buying technologically advanced toys and apps for their children, combined 3d design software and toys targeted to children could have a high potential for success and obtain high market share of domestic and international toy sales.
Key questions to explore:
What possibilities exist for educational 3d printed toys?
How can others follow Cannybots lead and combine 3d printed toys with apps to add value and stronger emotional attachment?
How does being involved in the 3d design process affect how children interact with their 3d printed toys?
Will other companies follow Hasbro’s lead and work with designers to sell their intellectual property?
If companies decide not to work with 3d digital designers how would they stop the illegal printing of their intellectual property?
What legal issues may arise with the proliferation of 3d printers and 3d printed toys?
How will the international toy market be affected by 3d printing?
Will future toy companies sell their products directly to consumers to be printed on home-3d printers instead of bought in stores?
References:
http://www.toy-icti.org/PDFs/ToyMarkets13.pdf
https://spark.autodesk.com/blog/3d-printing-gets-playful-expanding-toy-industry
http://www.businessinsider.com/3d-printing-toys-2014-8
http://www.cnbc.com/2015/09/30/the-future-of-kids-play-is3-d-printing.html