Two weeks ago Local Motors announced the addition of Bre Pettis, Makerbot’s CEO and Founder, to their board of directors. This in itself was a major move for the vehicle manufacturer, seeking to produce 3D printed parts for their electric vehicles. However an announcement by the company today is even a bigger headline grabber.
This afternoon Local Motors announced that they, along with the Association For Manufacturing Technology, plan to build the world’s first 3D printed electric vehicle, and present it in just seven months at the International Manufacturing Technology Show in Chicago, IL, on September 8-13.
The International Manufacturing Technology Show is held every two years, with the last show being held in 2012. At that time, Local Motors was present and wowed the crowds by building their Rally Fighter vehicle, from start to finish, in just 5 days. This year’s project will likely blow that away, if a success.
“IMTS is the perfect venue on which to showcase the next evolution of Local Motors’ World of Vehicle Innovations,“ said Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers. “To deliver the first co-created, locally relevant, 3D-printed vehicle on an international stage dedicated to celebrating cutting-edge manufacturing technology is powerful reinforcement of our commitment to driving the Third Industrial Revolution.”
The purpose of this project is to show the world how additive manufacturing, along with sustainable green tech can produce a reliable, safe, groundbreaking vehicle, while creating jobs, and reducing production costs significantly.
“Local Motors is undeniably the first disruptive entrant into the U.S. automotive industry in decades. The innovations they are driving in the design, manufacture and sale of vehicles has been empowering individual innovators since 2007. Partnering with them to deliver safer, more functional, lightweight and efficient vehicles via new, innovative manufacturing technologies is core to our commitment to bring global technology advancements to the local level,” stated Bonnie Gurney, Director of Communications for the Association For Manufacturing Technology.
More details on exactly how the vehicle will be manufactured will likely be released as we get closer to the show in September. Further details on the company can be found at their website in the meantime.
Discuss Local Motors, and this project.
Subscribe to Our Email Newsletter
Stay up-to-date on all the latest news from the 3D printing industry and receive information and offers from third party vendors.
You May Also Like
3D Printing Market Reaches $3.45B in Q2 2024, Marking 8.4% Year-Over-Year Growth
The global 3D printing market continued its upward trajectory in the second quarter of 2024, totaling $3.45 billion—a year-over-year increase of 8.4%. Despite a slight sequential decline from $3.47 billion...
New ABB Cobots Are 10 Times More Accurate for 3D Printing and More
ABB has introduced Ultra Accuracy GoFa cobots, which are ten times more accurate than the company’s previous cobots. While older industrial robots have driven innovation in concrete 3D printing, wire...
AM Expands Beyond 3D Printing at IMTS 2024
As discussed in our previous article on the Western hemisphere’s largest manufacturing trade show, the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS), the industrialization of 3D printing was on display. This was...
Ursa Major & US Navy Make $25M Joint Investment in New 3D Printed Rocket Motor Prototype
Ursa Major, the Colorado-based company dedicated to building a North American rocket propulsion supply chain with advanced manufacturing, has become one of the first recipients of funding from the DoD’s...