Imagine the car of the future. It’s not a Tesla. Rather, it’s 3D printed and recyclable.
According to a report published by Forbes, Arizona-based Local Motors plans to debut its new LM3D in 2016, which would be the first 3D printed car to hit the highways and be available for purchase (for about $53,000).
3D printed cars have been popular experiments in recent years. But turning them into a product for the masses has been a challenge. That’s why Local Motors has made the process an open-sourced endeavor.
After collecting over 200 designs online, they settled on a winning entry from Kevin Lo of Portland.
The design was selected in July. By September, the model had been completed. With an open-top and seating for two to four passengers, the car isn’t designed to fit all the needs of the market. But it’s a starting point.
Moreover, the company argues that 3D printing could turn the auto industry on its head. In case of an accident or a fender bender, the damaged part can be printed and replaced quickly—perhaps even at one of the company's “microfactories”.
If that’s the case, then one car could last a lifetime.
Currently, about 75% of the car parts are 3D printing. The company says they want to make that 90%. The materials used are 80% ABS plastic and 20% carbon fiber. The car consists of 50 individual parts, far less than a traditional vehicle (which is manufactured with roughly 30,000 parts).
The project is not complete, though. Local Motors will launch a crowdfunding campaign in spring 2016, which would help the team reach that goal of 90% 3D printed parts.
The website states: “Local Motors plans to launch a crowdfunding campaign via Indiegogo in Q2 of 2016. Buyers who want to be the first in the world to own a car in the LM3D series of vehicles will be able to put down a deposit toward the car through the website.”
As for safety, the company says that they’re already putting the vehicle through the rigors of safety testing and intend on making it as safe, if not safer, than what’s currently on the market.
CEO John Rogers says he took a book with him that urged him to rethink the auto industry. The book, "Winning the Oil Endgame", became more than a pastime read; it compelled him to start Local Motors.
In 2016, could Rogers revolutionize the industry with the crowdsourced LM3D?
