The Kinect Arm began as a Senior project by three students in a quest to create a robotic arm that can mimic human motion being captured by a Kinect.
Kinect
Released in 2010 the Xbox Kinect became a sensation with user and deverlopers everywhere as they saw the potential of a 3D scanner and camera.
3D Printer
3D printing started as a technology too pricey for average folk, later as the price dropped and printers became more affordable hobbyists and students began to see the true potential of 3D printers.