If you ever fancied yourself a graffiti artist but lacked the artistic skill, the original SprayPrinter device provided a way to fake it. Users could choose an image to create and then let the handheld printer spray as required. Now, there's an updated version that lets you fake it better.
The principle of the SprayPrinter is that it will let you spray images on any surface using only a smartphone, some spray paint and the SprayPrinter device. Users choose an image from their smartphone using the SprayPrinter app, which is available for iOS and Android, and mount the smartphone on a tripod facing the wall or surface they want to spray.
All that is then required is for the user to move the SprayPrinter slowly and steadily across the surface. The app tracks the movement of the SprayPrinter in the user's hand using an LED on the device and then communicates to the device via Bluetooth, telling it when to spray and when not to.
Standard sized spray cans with a diameter of 65 mm (2.6 in) can be used with the SprayPrinter. It has an adjustable pixel size and, like the first version, it can be used for applying up to 50 layers to an artwork. Powered by a battery, the device's electromagnetic valve is able to open and close up to 200 times per second.
Primarily, the new version is said to offer improved speed and accuracy, with infrared now used to track its movement as well as visible light. Users can now make images of up to 1920x1080 pixels, instead of 320x320, and can move the device at up to 20 cm/s (8 in/s), rather than 5 cm/s (2 in/s).
SprayPrinter says it now takes only five minutes to apply 1 sq m (11 sq ft) of paint, compared to 20 minutes. It's also now possible for multiple users to work on a design at the same time, with up to five devices able to be tracked by a single smartphone.
A Kickstarter crowdfunding campaign for the SprayPrinter 2 is under way. At the time of writing, pledges from US$187 will be rewarded with one of the kits, assuming all goes to plan with the campaign and roll-out. Shipping is expected from June next year.
The video below is the Kickstarter pitch for the SprayPrinter 2.
Sources: SprayPrinter, Kickstarter