Local Motors shows off 3D Printed auto it hopes to Sell Next Year

The soon-to-arrive model, called “Reload Redacted Swim/Sport”, will feature customizable, interchangeable, sleek parts that can be arranged to fit individual tastes and lifestyles.

“At Local Motors, we are hellbent on revolutionizing manufacturing”, said John B.

The Project Redacted was brought about to let the co-creation community challenge one another in imagining and designing the next generation of 3D-printed cars. “My top choice would be Reload Redacted – Swim/Sport because it’s sporty, fun and you can commute in it”. Rodgers Jr. revealed the victor, which was chosen by popular vote from the community as well as professional judges John Waraniak, vice president of vehicle technology with the Specialty Equipment Market Association, Sabic Innovative Plastics Senior manager Geert Jan Schellekens, and television host and automobile enthusiast Jay Leno. Lo, who has been a Local Motors co-creation community member for four years, created the vehicle with two different body types, the “Swim” and the “Sport”. The first iteration of the new EV will be priced at somewhere in the $18,000 to $30,000 range and will be a neighborhood vehicle. LOCO, short for Local Motors Co-Created University Vehicles, is one of the first steps in the company’s effort to change the automotive industry forever by partnering with some of the nation’s top universities and laboratories.

The company is also experimenting with 3D printing vehicles using multiple materials. “The auto”, he said, “is about the customer”. The Chandler-based company will be partnering with ASU on research into advanced materials used in the large-scale, manufacturing 3-D printer. This initiative will be the first testbed for on-demand autonomous vehicle transport, according to Local Motors.

DDM allows for the rapid adoption of new technology in vehicles.

The battery technology in the test platform uses the same lithium ion chemistry used in existing electric vehicles (as well as iPhones).

He spent hours online reading what the design community for Local Motors suggested to ideal his design. As a part of this program Local Motors has provided LOCO University Vehicles to these schools, and the schools will in turn hopefully amplify the research and development around 3D printed vehicles.