If you need proof that anyone can do 3D printing now, you only need to look to your post office.
According to the Straits Times, the newest Singapore SingPost post office at Suntec City now offers a 3D printing service. As of now, the service is only available in the Suntec outlet. This is part of the new Innovation Corner that Singpost is piloting, that, according to Singpost’s release, aims to “(provide) a collaborative platform for starts-ups and young entrepreneurs to showcase new business ideas that enhance and complement the post office experience.”
“Our customers’ needs are ever changing. This innovation corner serves as a test-bed for innovative new services that can be offered at post offices in the future, such as 3D printing,” says Mr Elvin Too, SingPost’s vice-president for post office products, services and network.
Walk-in customers can now choose from a select number of options to print, from accessories to 3D figurines made with an in-built face scanner at the outlet. Printing charges range from $19.90 for a simple accessory to $459 for a full-body figurine.
According to Today, this is the eighth new concept post office that Singpost has opened since March. Each post office aims to be “digitally integrated”, to remodel the traditional idea of a post office.
“Over the next few years, all post offices will undergo a major revamp and be remodelled into a vibrant lifestyle hub integrated with a 24/7 auto-lobby to bring round-the-clock access to customers,” Singapore Post (SingPost) group chief executive Wolfgang Baier said in a statement released by Singpost.
This is SingPost’s eighth new concept post office, which comes as the postal service provider moves to remodel post offices islandwide. These “digitally integrated” post offices began rolling out in March. They will also include SAM (Self-service Automated Machines), ezy2ship kiosk to print your own labels, and service ambassadors to assist customers. Currently, the Singpost post offices boast 200 services available to the public, which includes postal and parcel services, Government services such as CPF top-up and MOM services, and Payments services ranging from road tax to hospital bills to credit card bills.
I’m not quite sure what 3D printing has to do with postal services, but we can’t blame Singapore’s postal service for wanting to revamp their services. After all, when was the last time you posted a letter at a post office?