College students prepare startup for 3D-printed headsets

A startup team of college students in Xi'an, Shaanxi province is preparing to launch a special kind of customized headset manufactured with 3D printing technology. (Photo source: Xinhuanet.com)

A startup team of college students in Xi'an, Shaanxi province is preparing to launch a special kind of customized headset manufactured with 3D printing technology. (Photo source: Xinhuanet.com)

(ECNS) -- A startup team of college students in Xi'an, Shaanxi province is preparing to launch a special kind of customized headset manufactured with 3D printing technology, Xinhuanet.com observed on Thursday.

Yu Chen, a postgraduate student majoring in microelectronics at Xidian University, formed the startup with two other students in 2013.

As fans of headsets, the three have been committed to producing the most comfortable design.

"We first take pictures of a customer's ears, and then upload the photos online to form a 3D model. By importing the virtual model into a 3D printer, a customized headset can be made," according to Qi Weijia, a student at Shaanxi University of Science and Technology who is in charge of the team's product design.

"The headset market has strong prospects, and the growth of 3D printing technology brings us more opportunities," said Qi.

Official statistics show that in 2013, the number of headsets sold in China reached 900 million, 23 percent of which were high-end headphones costing more than 800 yuan ($128). The sales quantity is expected to reach 120 million in 2015.

The startup's plan has received support from Xidian University, according to Li Jin, a teacher and leader of the university's entrepreneurial incubator.

The incubator provided financial support for the project earlier this year, and is also helping the startup attract more investors, said Li.

The entrepreneur team is negotiating with several investors for further cooperation.