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Carbonite Yourself Like Han Solo With This Kinect Hack

If you’ve ever wanted to 3D print yourself frozen in carbonite, then you’re in luck. That dream may soon come true.

We all remember that bit in Empire Strikes Back when Vader freezes Han in carbonite—his form rigid, hands outstretched, mouth agape in a silent cry that no doubt rang out moments before he was placed in perfect hibernation. Some of you lucky few may even have had the carbonite-Han toy.

And now, thanks to the Kinect, Processing, and Michael Zöllner, you will eventually be able to be that toy. Zöllner’s making an open-source program that will allow users to pose in front of the Kinect and create a 3D model of themselves stuck in a virtual carbonite, which can be exported and 3D printed. Then, you can keep it as a souvenir or send it to a 600-year-old morbidly obese galactic crime lord. Whatever takes your fancy.

While some people have been hacking the Kinect as a tool to produce music videos, VJing tools, robotics, and interactive installations, Michael Zöllner is realizing a dream his 8-year-old self would be proud of.

May the 4th be with you.

[via Make]