Researchers at the University of Southern California are testing a giant 3D printer that will one day be used to build an entire house in less than 24 hours. Known as “Contour Crafting,” the printing technology may replace construction workers with a giant printing robot in the near future.

Under the direction of Professor Behrokh, the robotic printer would spit out concrete in layers to create hollow walls and then it would fill the walls with additional concrete. The work, however, would still remain partly in human hands. Construction workers would be needed to clear and level the site, lay down rails, hang doors and install windows.

The new technology would reduce the cost of home-owning and office building as well as in disaster relief areas to provide quick rebuilds on damaged homes. And though it was named one of the 25 best inventions of 2006 by the National Inventors Hall of Fame and History Channel’s Modern Marvels program, there’s no concrete plan to move the project forward immediately.

Source: New York Times