The Blade Supercar on display at CES 2017
We saw a lot of amazing things last week at CES 2017, and although it was impossible to get a close look at everything in the expansive show, we were thrilled to see, in person, so much of the work of the many 3D printing companies that we write about on a regular basis. One company that we’ve been following for a long time is Divergent 3D, which first grabbed the attention of the world with the 2015 introduction of the Blade, the first-ever 3D printed supercar.
When we spoke with Divergent 3D CEO Kevin Czinger in October, the company had just cemented a partnership with automotive manufacturer PSA Group; the two companies will work together to further the development of 3D printed automobiles using Divergent 3D’s remarkable technology. As Czinger explained to us, the technology behind the Blade has numerous benefits, including significant reductions in weight and number of parts required, lowered costs, and a much kinder environmental impact than most cars.
Czinger with Ford VP of Global Strategy John Casesa
What Czinger didn’t go into too much detail about, though, is just how cool-looking the Blade is. The brilliant magenta of the supercar was an instant crowd-gatherer at CES, where attendees clustered around it to marvel at its sleek design while learning more about Divergent 3D’s trademarked Planet-Saving Manufacturing, as they have christened the manufacturing process that slashes energy use and curtails the emissions and waste produced by conventional automobiles.
While it’s not clear when the Blade will be released into the market, the recent agreement with PSA Group is a big step towards seeing Divergent 3D’s technology move beyond prototypes and into functional automobiles. One thing’s for sure, though – the prototype alone had people plenty excited.
And the Blade wasn’t the only thing drawing crowds to Divergent 3D’s booth. In November, the company unveiled the equally sharply-named Dagger, a 3D printed motorcycle that made its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Like the Blade, the Dagger is dramatically lighter than its counterparts thanks to its 3D printed carbon fiber structure, and its super speed comes guilt-free, as it was designed, like the Blade, to produce minimal waste or pollution.
Divergent 3D’s 3D printing technology also allows for customization, an attractive notion for any bike enthusiast. The Dagger model on display at CES was plenty attractive to look at, with its curving, silver and sky blue body, but it’s hard to look at it without imagining the many ways the design could be altered to the whims of its rider.
CES attendees marvel at the 3D printed Dagger superbike
While Divergent 3D has gotten plenty of attention in the past, the company is really enjoying a moment in the spotlight right now, with the introduction of the Dagger, the announcement of the PSA Group partnership, and the show-stealing appearance at CES making them one of the most talked-about companies in the tech world at the moment. Divergent 3D makes saving the planet look good, and we look forward to continuing to follow the company as they wow the world with their technology. Discuss in the Divergent 3D forum at 3DPB.com.
[Images: Divergent 3D via Facebook]