3D-printed car contest winner is road ready by design
Earlier this year Local Motors set forth a challenge for the 3D printing community to design a road-ready vehicle, and now there's a winner. What you're looking at above is the Reload Redacted - Swim and Sport from Kevin Lo. It beat out over 60 other designs and Local Motors says that the Swim and Sport was chosen in part because it reflects the benefits of the company's Direct Digital Manufacturing, like the chance at a totally customizable vehicle with removable body panels. The outfit says a Low Speed Electric Vehicle (LSEV) version should ship to consumers early next year, and a prototype is on deck for a September release.
That 3D-printed doggie in the window will run you between $18,000 and $30,000 and a highway-ready version of the ride'll tentatively be ready next year. Will we see this get printed at any upcoming auto shows? Given the company's history I wouldn't rule it out, but manufacturing is set for Local Motors' Knoxville microfactory.
