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(CNN) -- Turning images on your PC into real-life computer chips with your home printer sounds like science fiction, yet the first prototype is already in operation.
Dubbed Santa Claus machines, these three dimensional printers "print" real objects instead of messages -- but never before have electronics been included in a product.
Soon fully assembled electric and electronic gadgets could be constructed in one go without having to add the components at great cost afterwards.
Yet no one, aside from the U.S.-based Berkeley crew, has yet to crack the printing of electronics. "I'll be happy if we can get a printed joint going... After that, we will try to make some very simple crawling critters," says Canny.