Dubai Aims for Dominance in 3D Printing

You have to hand it to Dubai.

Already recognized as a modern and ambitious nation, it is now embarking on what backers are saying will be the biggest 3D printing adoption program in the world.

Dubai plans to become the 3D capitol of the world by 2030.

Leading the campaign and chairing the committee in charge is Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the prime minister and vice president of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Dubai. His strategy, as currently laid out, will affect three sectors in society: construction, medical products and consumer products.

The medical products sector is focusing on producing prosthetic limbs that will cost just $100. The limbs feature sensors that detect muscle flexing. The committee in charge notes that hundreds of thousands of people around the world cannot currently afford prosthetic limbs. A $100 option would, they say, be truly revolutionary. The goal is to set up a medical 3D printing sector that is worth more $350 million U.S. dollars by 2025.

According to Saif Al Aleeli, the CEO of Dubai Future Foundation, the prosthetic limb plans are all part of their intentions to change patient treatment procedures as they are generally understood. “Using 3D printing in medical printing is important as it is considered to be one of the most important fields given its direct link to human life. Through these initiatives, we plan on using the latest technologies as well as partnering with organizations who have experience in the field of 3D printing to find solutions for medical challenges.”