The list includes the use of a Kinect camera and PC for physical rehabilitation, the 3D printing of embedded electrical technologies, a Lego set that helps bridge the gap between crustacean and robot and a device that employs an Arduino board and video games to help stroke victims recover motor skills.
They also point out that new technologies such as print on demand, which makes printing short runs of physical books more economical, should help them squeeze more money out of the old-fashioned format.
At least seven companies are expected to show 3D printers at CES 2013, demonstrating the potential benefits of the technology for a wide swath of industries and users. 3D printing uses an additive process to create an exact physical duplicate of a product based on a digital model.