Project Ara: Motorola And 3D Systems will 3D-print modular cell phones 3D printed modular cell phone. Motorola announced last month a plan for a modular smartphone.�Project Ara will be a simple way for users to individualize their phones, swapping out parts like the battery and camera until users have�a phone that s�just for them. They plan on doing that with 3-D printing. � � The company has�inked a deal�with 3D Systems, a global 3-D printing manufacturing company, to help produce parts of the phone. Assuming the projectstill officially in developmenttakes off, 3D Systems would be�a ��multi-year���production partner, making smartphone ��enclosures and modules�� for the Google-owned phone company. There s�reason to be skeptical�of modular phone technology, but Project Ara does get a pedigree boost�from former DARPA director and now-Google exec Regina Dugan, and having the weight of a big tech company behind it doesn t hurt. Motorola says they ll be releasing more details on the project in the coming months. Photo credit: Engadget Via Pop Sci Share ThisSubscribedel.icio.usFacebookRedditStumbleUponTechnorati