Stratasys, a manufacturer of 3-D print technology, has teamed up with the Kor Ecologic Engineering Group to develop the Urbee, a fuel-efficient car with a body printed using the additive manufacturing process.
The Urbee is a low-emissions car that uses either gasoline or ethanol. The car also employs alternative sources of energy, such as wind and solar power. See more shots of the Urbee car above.
Implications - Rapid technological advancements have made 3-D printing more accessible to companies and product designers. This has enabled a new wave of innovation using 3-D printing, including car parts. This environmentally car, for example, features printed body panels to reduce resource waste during the manufacturing process.
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- 3-D Printing Cars
- The advancement of 3-D printing technology has opened up opportunities to print car parts and reduce resource waste.
- Alternative Energy Vehicles
- The use of alternative energy sources such as wind and solar power in vehicles presents disruptive innovation opportunities for the automotive industry.
- Additive Manufacturing
- The additive manufacturing process offers potential for product designers to create innovative and eco-friendly designs, like the Urbee car's printed body panels.
Where This Applies
- Automotive
- The automotive industry can leverage the advancements in 3-D printing and alternative energy sources to develop fuel-efficient and eco-friendly vehicles.
- Manufacturing
- The manufacturing industry has the opportunity to incorporate additive manufacturing processes to reduce resource waste and create innovative products like 3-D printed car parts.
- Renewable Energy
- The renewable energy industry can explore collaborations with the automotive sector to integrate wind and solar power into vehicles for a more sustainable transportation solution.
