Skip to main content

Shapeways and KeyMe partner to 3D print and ship your house keys

Shapeways and KeyMe partner to 3D print and ship your house keys

Share this story

KeyMe Shapeways 3D printed house keys
KeyMe Shapeways 3D printed house keys

If you've ever been that person locked out of your house or apartment, you might have another option that'll get your door open. KeyMe, a small lock-and-key startup, is partnering with the 3D printing company Shapeways to let customers 3D print their keys from the KeyMe iOS app and have them delivered almost immediately. Using a digital copy of the key stored in KeyMe's cloud, customers can order keys online and have them delivered. You can get everything from a plastic key for $10, a ridiculous solid gold key for $4,000, and various keys in between. In New York, KeyMe is also offering an emergency lockout key delivery service at physical key cutting kiosks in 7-Eleven and Bed Bath & Beyond stores.

This partnership could be both convenient and dangerous. If the system works as planned, it could be a huge help for anyone who needs a key fast, or for anyone who doesn't have time to go to a local hardware store to get a key copied. While KeyMe kiosks require fingerprint identification and the iOS app needs your email to access any information, there's always a chance that something could slip through the cracks. It's a novel approach to a very real problem, but in the long run customers will have to be cautious when storing information in a cloud or phone that can literally open their doors to anyone.