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Evan Frost
St. Paul

Thanks, snowbot! 3D-printed snowblower makes shovels obsolete

Ryan Butler stands with the snow blower robot he made.
Ryan Butler stands with the snowblower robot he made in the driveway of his St. Paul home on Tuesday.
Evan Frost | MPR News

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If he wanted to, St. Paul resident Ryan Butler could clear his driveway from the comfort of his living room. He designed and 3D-printed his own remote control snowblower.

The snowblower is almost entirely made of plastic and powered by six 12-volt batteries. Butler can raise and lower the plow, change the direction of the chute and drive the plow over almost any winter terrain.

He's been interested in robotics since he was a kid, now he designs and sells the plans on his website. Want your own? You'll have to print and assemble it yourself for now.