Mattel Bringing Back Thingmaker As A 3D Printer For The Home

Mattel announced today via USAToday that in conjunction with Autodesk, they will be releasing a new 3D printer for the home under the name Thingmaker.

Back in the 1960's Mattel released the original Thingmaker which was a toy that would make was a crude “at-home maker device,” that let kids produce bug-like Creepy Crawlers, mini-dragons, flowers and other small toys.

This new version will cost $299.99 and features a 3D printing app for iOS and Android. According to USAToday the device will allow you to custom design such things as toy fairies, dolls, dinosaurs, robots, skeletons and jewelry.

"Consumers can custom design such objects inside a ThingMaker app, which supplies templates and a palette of drag and drop parts that you can assemble together on screen before you tap the print button. Parts are printed in batches. For safety purposes, the printer door automatically locks when printing starts."

The printer is slated for release this fall. Amazon will begin taking pre-orders for it on 2/15 and the app is actually available now which is said to be compatible with other 3D printers. The printer is geared towards those who are 13 years or older.