Ever wondered what you would look like in action figure size? Visitors to Comerica Park, home of the Detroit Tigers, can now have small 3D replicas of themselves made right at the ballpark.
The German company Doob operates their Doob-licator™ inside the Tigers stadium to create a 4 to 14 inch figurine as chosen by the customer. Fans can pose in any position, opt to have various accessories with them, and even choose Paws, the team’s mascot, to be inserted beside them in the final product. More choices and additions, such as current players, are being considered for the future.
The Doob-licator™ is an octagon-shaped chamber which has 54 individual cameras located on the walls. The photos taken by these cameras are combined together to produce a 3D image which is sent to Doob Group’s US location where the figurine is made using a 3D printer. Fans receive the final product in the mail after the printing process is complete.
Crain’s Detroit Business informs that Comerica Park was chosen as the pilot location for Major League Baseball due to their steady attendance and fan loyalty. No other teams or sport leagues have been mentioned as future forerunners of this technology.
In the US, Doob has a retail location at the Westfield Valley Fair Mall in Santa Clara while another site is being considered in Los Angeles. Internationally, Doob operates in Europe and hopes to soon establish itself in Japan.
This type of technology would serve as a unique way to attract visitors and business into other ballparks across the MLB. It will also educate fans on how 3D modeling and printing will become an essential part in other industries such as fashion, prosthetics and architecture.