MAKIES respond to Toy Like Me campaign with new inclusive range

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Whether it is a desktop 3D printed prosthetic like RoboHand, a straw holder, 3D prints of famous illustrations for the visually impaired or high-end 3D printed exoskeletons additive manufacturing's unique ability to create tailor-made devices at no extra cost has enhanced thousands of lives for people with disabilities. Through MAKIE dolls the technology is now also helping raising awareness as the London-based toymaker responds to the #ToyLikeMe campaign.

The campaign started life as a Facebook group for parents to post pictures of current toys they had madeover and morphed into a campaign calling for manufacturers like Playmobil and Mattel to create more diversity in the toy box.  

MAKIES, whose dolls are printed on demand using SLS technologies after customers have customised using an app, were the first manufacturer to respond to the campaign by launching a series of accessories including hearing and walking aids as well as allowing the users to design bespoke facial characteristics to match birth marks.

The Toy Like Me Facebook page has heralded MAKIES new range as a huge success with their followers unanimous in praise for the first 3D printed toy manufacturer to receive the CE mark.

This is an example of how MAKIES and other 3D printing manufacturers can be ahead of the curve on traditional manufacturers, who may well have plans for a range but getting a toy from idea to production at a place like Mattel can take months if not years. Because MAKIES are customisable and all one-of-a-kind products and the business model has always been as such, they are in a position to be much more flexible for meeting demands of the public.  

MakieLab CTO Matthew Wiggins said, "It’s fantastic that our supercharged design and manufacturing process means we can respond to a need that’s not met by traditional toy companies. We’re hoping to make some kids - and their parents! - really happy with these inclusive accessories."

Mattel had previously touched on the idea of bringing diversity to the toy box in 1996 when they launched Share a Smile Becky – Barbie’s friend and wheelchair user – but ran into some criticism when it was discovered that Becky and her wheelchair could not fit into the elevator in some of the Barbie’s Dream House models mimicking accessibility issues that faced wheelchair users across the globe.

MAKIES’ CEO Alice Taylor confirmed that they also would be working on creating a wheelchair for the poseable 3D printed dolls. We’re sure that as the success of the new range will lead to more requests from parents for a range of accessories for diversity, the beauty of MAKIES is that responding to these will not be an issue. 

WATCH ALICE TAYLOR'S TALK AT TCT SHOW 2013: