Hitus launches 500,000 yen crowdfunding campaign for 3D Printed Assistive Device Design Contest 2026 with ICT Rehabilitation Research Association

Hitus Co., Ltd. has initiated a crowdfunding campaign on the READYFOR platform to fund the 2026 3D Printed Assistive Device Design Contest. In partnership with the non-profit ICT Rehabilitation Research Association, the company aims to raise 500,000 yen using an all-or-nothing funding model. The initiative focuses on crowdsourcing design data for assistive devices used by elderly individuals, children, and people with disabilities, with the goal of expanding the COCRE HUB digital library from its current 300 entries to a target of 1,000 unique 3D models.

This initiative addresses a critical gap in the medical and rehabilitative sectors where custom-fit assistive tools are traditionally high-cost and slow to manufacture. By utilizing FDM/FFF technology to produce devices with material costs as low as 100 yen, Hitus and its partners are moving toward a decentralized production model. The project leverages the COCRE HUB platform to facilitate global access to validated 3D data, supporting international development efforts in regions like Bhutan and Nepal through organizations such as JICA and the Asian Development Bank. This shifts the value proposition from traditional high-margin manufacturing to a scalable, data-driven service model.

For the AM industry, this represents a practical application of distributed manufacturing where the primary asset is the digital design rather than the physical hardware. Hitus must now focus on the rigorous technical validation of incoming designs to ensure safety and durability standards are met before they are integrated into the COCRE HUB repository. Success will depend on the ability to maintain a high-quality, verified database that can be reliably utilized by local users worldwide via low-cost polymer extrusion.