This may very well be the most advanced, handheld power tool ever created. The internet-connected Shaper Origin uses augmented reality, robotics and a few strips of Shaper tape to turn you into someone who can cut, drill, and engrave with ease.
“The tool uses an onboard camera and computer vision software to track the tape and that tells the tool where it is in 3D space," says Jeremy Blum of Shaper. "And then, the tool can use that to overlay and kind of lock patterns or designs to the work piece so that it can keep you on track while you’re moving, and then the tool actually compensates for your movements in real-time."
All you do is upload designs wirelessly to the device, either your own or ones Shaper can give you, follow the line on the screen, and even with shaky hands, the autocorrecting tool gets it perfect for you, allowing you to create anything from a highly stylized coaster to full-sized furniture.
For amateur DIYers, it is clear how this can get you in very quickly and easily on the ground floor. For more professional craftsmen and women, developers insist this will have you doing things in your workshop you probably never thought possible.
“A lot of that work today has to be done making lots of really complex jigs first that you use to help you follow the router and make sure you’re cutting out the right thing," Blum says. "This works completely without jigs, completely without stencils so you can go from idea to making something much, much faster and you can iterate on it much faster because you can modify the design on the fly on the tool."
The Shaper Origin is available for pre-order now for $1500. It ships at some point next year.