Researchers from Harvard, MIT and the University of Pennsylvania have come together to produce a 3D-printed, self-folding lamp.

The lamp is almost entirely made out of 3D-printed parts, and comes out as a flat plan with shape-memory poolymers, thin layers of copper, layers of paper and foam to boost the structure, along with double-sided tape to ensure the components stick.

Once heat is applied, the polymers start to contract and fold into the pre-determined shape. The device includes a switch which opens and closes the electronic contacts, and a touch sensor to turn the LED on and off.

Presenting the robot at ICRA, the team – led by Robert J Wood from the Wyss Institute for biologically inspired engineering at Harvard – said: "It showed that even complex mechanisms, such as the mechanical switch, can be integrated into the self-folding process of a larger machine, and utilised in practical electronic circuits.

"Although printable sensors may lack the robust structural strength and reliability of other sensors, they have many potential applications such as low-cost rapid prototyping and manufacturing of customised designs in residential homes."