Amazon has filed a patent for 3D printing on board its own vans. The e-tail giant wants to print products ordered online on their way to US consumers' front doors.
Lower costs and faster delivery
Amazon thinks it can significantly reduce delivery time as well as costs. Customers receive their parcels faster and no storage is needed for the goods. The question is for which goods Amazon wants to use this service. After all, the 3D printer has to fit in the delivery car. So for now, it seems to be mainly for the delivery of spare parts.
Amazon has been working on 3D printing since last year. The e-tailer indicated then that it would make the 3D printer available to consumers. They can design their own products and have them printed.
Strange patent application
This patent application is not the US company's first high-profile application. Last year, the retailer applied for - and received - a patent on photographing products against a white background. In this method, a snow-white background is created without digital tools. Despite the patent obtained, this is not an Amazon invention, but a commonly used technique among photographers.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
