First, what is RepRap?
A universal constructor is a machine that can replicate itself and - in addition - make other industrial products. Such a machine would have a number of interesting characteristics, such as being subject to Darwinian evolution, increasing in number exponentially, and being extremely low-cost.
A rapid prototyper is a machine that can manufacture objects directly (usually, though not necessarily, in plastic) under the control of a computer.
The RepRap project is working towards creating a universal constructor by using rapid prototyping, and then giving the results away free under the GNU General Public Licence to allow other investigators to work on the same idea. We are trying to prove the hypothesis: Rapid prototyping and direct writing technologies are sufficiently versatile to allow them to be used to make a von Neumann Universal Constructor.
The big news is: RepRap has replicated for the first time.
First replication announcement
WorldChanging article on fabbing
Came to recognize the term “personal fabrication device” from a Science Channel series entitled “Visions of the Future.” This is an extremely intriguing area of research, especially when coupled with nanotechnology. Attempting to imagine a world in which machines replicate themselves and objects for personal use can be brought into being with utter immediacy from a unit the size of a microwave is fascinating. Congrats on this first stage of self replication.