3D scanning is really cool, but it can be expensive to buy 3D scanners, meaning that few people can actually use the technology. A British company called Pixelio, however, has announced a turntable that uses your phone to scan objects in 3D.

The device, also called the Pixelio, can also shoot 360-degree images and time lapse videos, however, the real goal is to bring 3D scanning to anyone who needs it, including architects, graphic designers and so on.

The device itself works using Autodesk's 123D Catch software, which can run on a smartphone. Combined with the turntable setup, users can scan any object that can fit on the platform. The user simply has to strap their phone to the phone arm and make sure it's securely fastened so that it doesn't move during the scanning process. The phone holder can hold just about any phone on the market.

The strap is designed to hold the smartphone tight, and the benefit of keeping the phone in the same exact position is that much more fine detail can be captured in the scanning process. Not only that, but the scanner also uses virtual finger technology to capture video as the phone moves, ensuring the user doesn't have to actually touch the smartphone during scanning, which would mess up the process.

Pricing for the scanner has not yet been announced, however, the product will debut on Kickstarter in the near future.

Via: Slashgear