When it comes to 3D scanning real life objects, the average solutions are very pricy. You have to give up about USD 20,000 in order to get an entry level 3D scanner for small objects and this is what has motivated this startup called Eora 3D to work on the development of a cheaper 3D scanning system. They came up with an interesting solution that uses a laser beam and an iPhone to get the 3 Dimension scan of objects.
Eora 3D Laser Scanner is a smart solution, but above all, it’s a budget friendly solution. The Eora Scanner should be launched at a mere USD 199 which has nothing to do with the USD 20,000 of the existing solutions on the market. Eora 3D scanning solution uses an iPhone and a laser beam.
The 3D scanning process is the following:
- your object is placed on a revolving plate which turns around itself;
- as the object you want to scan rotates, the laser beam cylinder attached to your iPhone projects a laser beam which draws the outer shape of the object;
- your iPhone linked to this laser cylinder is taking high frame rate burst images of the laser beam;
- these photos gathered all together give a 3D presentation of the object.
You’re done for less that USD 200 and a smartphone. Cheap, simple and straightforward.
The revolving plate is linked to the other piece of the system thanks to a Bluetooth connection.
The Eora 3D Laser Scanner is compatible with the following iPhone references :
- iPhone 5
- iPhone 5S
- iPhone 6
- and probably with this yet to be announced iPhone 6S.
Eora 3D say they want to get their solution also compatible with Android and Windows Phone devices.
As is, the Eora 3D laser scanner may 3D scan relatively small objects of max. 20cm (7.9″) in height, but you can also attach the device on a tripod to be able to scan much larger objects.
The team at Eora 3D say that the technical development of their 3D scanning solution is ready and they are seeking industrial partners for their production process. A crowd funding campaign should be launched this fall in September and we can’t wait to hear more about this interesting project which will bring 3D scanning to mostly everybody with the iPhone.