One of the primary concerns for humanity is the lack of accommodation for it’s growing masses. As our numbers grow the planet’s resources get strained to provide food, clothing and shelter for us all. At the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, researchers have developed a system that can 3-D print the basic structure of an entire building.

Perhaps being able to make buildings with finite resources and in a quick span of time may be the answer to the housing problem that humans are already facing. The system has a tracked vehicle which is used to carry a large industrial robotic arm.  The huge robotic arm has a smaller, precision-motion robotic arm at its end.

The researchers claim that the building will be built cheaper and faster than regular construction. Plus it can be customized and modified as desired by the owner. Different materials are incorporated into the 3D printing as the process is carried out. This is no longer about simply shaping plastic the way you want it. The system can use a variety of materials.

Another advantage of this science project is that unlike older systems that were restricted to a certain area for printing, this one can move around freely. This gives the system the ability to construct all manners and sizes of things.