ModuBots: 3D-printable robot collection as a modular construction kit

With ModuBots, a new figure concept is emerging that combines digital modeling and 3D printing with collecting culture. Instead of selling finished action figures, the project offers a growing collection of robot characters whose models can be produced entirely via 3D printing. Under the motto “When Imagination Becomes Sentient,” ModuBots is aimed at makers, designers and collectors who want to produce and customize their figures themselves.

At the core of the concept is a consistently modular system. Heads, bodies and other components are designed so that they fit together mechanically and can be combined in any way. This allows many variants to be created from a limited number of basic modules without the need to model new base shapes. The models are created using high-resolution 3D CAD modeling and are tailored to the requirements of common desktop 3D printers, for example with regard to wall thicknesses, support structures and tolerances for plug connections. The figures are designed by the artist Miss Mouse, whose style is inspired by futuristic machine worlds.

For 3D printing enthusiasts, the system offers the opportunity to build their own “robot galaxy,” adapt files and tune them to the respective printer, the material used or the desired post-processing. In the context of art and designer toys, ModuBots occupies the interface between digital sculpture, physical collector’s items and experimental construction kits. Creatives can recombine, scale or modify individual elements to create their own series or one-of-a-kind pieces.

Looking ahead, the universe is set to be expanded with additional characters, modules and limited editions. An online community is also planned where users can share print profiles, remixes and photos of their builds. In a consumer world shaped by mass production, ModuBots relies on a model in which value creation and design are, to some extent, transferred into the hands of those who ultimately use the objects.