Urbee 2: The First #Hybrid Self Produced Car With A 3D Printer
Vishal Khan
Nov 16, 2013
Nothing says “Welcome to the Future” as a 3D-printed three-wheeled vehicle, with a hybrid engine, max speed of 70 mph, and the ability to carry up to 1,200 pounds. The Urbee 2 is the result of Jim Kor‘s (owner and chief designer of Kor Ecologic) vision for a modern and sustainable vehicle. The exterior is made up of lightweight ABS plastic, which allows for a minimum amount of resistance and fuel needed to operate the machine. It is stronger and easier to handle than steel and is able to hold two passengers. Urbee could very well be the next big thing in urban transport.
Firstly, the car of the future is ecological and economical; Urbee 2 uses hybrid energy (gasoline and ethanol) and consumption is 1.18 l/100 km on highway and 2.35 l/100km in the city. But more than a green revolution, this new construction technique in 3D printing is especially a great way for automakers to boost their productivity while reducing production costs. According to calculations by Stratasys, the printed vehicle would require 36 days of manufacture at a cost of $75,000 dollars against 85 days of manufacturing and $99,000 for a classic car.
“With Urbee 2, more than 50 percent of the car will be 3D printed,” says Jim Kor, “Everything you typically see and touch on the car, as you drive the car, will be 3D printed.”
Some key points about the Urbee
- A build volume of 36 x 24 x 36 inches (914 x 610 x 914 mm) and an accuracy of better than 0.004 in (0.1 mm)
- Is a series-parallel hybrid vehicle
- In the city, the Urbee runs on electricity stored in its batteries
- The front wheels are driven by a pair of 36 volt electric motors
The Urbee 2 already has 14 orders at $50,000 a piece. They hope to get Guinness involved as a way to generate interest and to set a new standard for the way the world moves. In order to produce the car, the owner estimates that they will need to raise $3 million. They have already turned towards Kickstarter that must be raised to fund development of the Urbee 2.
