[Phil Lelyveld comment: Despite this momentary buzz, I'd be surprised if this gets more traction than its many competitors. Its price is only a few dollars less then some other 3D printer start-ups, and we may already be past the point where people want to buy a single-material 3D printer. There are already online and location-based multi-material 3D shops.]
...if early reaction on Kickstarteris any indication, this 3D printer could become a massive hit with consumers. With 32 days left in its campaign, the RoBo has already raised a whopping $78,000 after setting an initial goal of just $49,000.
So what's got all those backers so excited? It likely starts with the RoBo's super-affordable (relatively speaking) price point. The team behind the RoBo says it will sell for just $520, compared to most 3D printers, which have price tags well into the thousands of dollars. Another big sell for the RoBo is its convenience. Users will essentially be able to plug it in and start printing "within minutes" after bringing it home.
See the full story here; http://mashable.com/2012/12/31/robo-3d-printer/