APWorks has announced the world's first 3D-printed electric motorcycle.
APWorks, a subsidiary of aircraft giant Airbus, has unveiled a concept for an electric motorcycle powered by 3D printing technology. The motorcycle was named Light Rider, which is the most appropriate given that the vehicle weighs only 35 kg.
Optimizing the shape of the frame of the Light Rider motorcycle has made it look like an exoskeleton, which will allow the entire structure to withstand significant loads. Thanks to the 6 kW electric motor, the motorcycle can accelerate to 80 km / h. Thus, the Light Rider is more suitable for everyday city driving.
The Light Rider frame weighs only 6 kg and is made of material created and patented by APWorks itself. It is an alloy of aluminum, magnesium and scandium that is stronger than modern 3D printing materials.
The use of the new material allowed APWorks to create hollow frame parts that greatly simplified the construction of the entire motorcycle. In addition, this frame design hides most cables and other elements that might be seen on standard bikes.
Light Rider / © lightrider.apworks.de
The price of the Light Rider electric motorcycle is very high, but even so, it will not be easy to buy it. APWorks plans to produce only 50 copies. The final cost of the motorcycle will be 56 thousand dollars, but in order to become its owner, you will have to first deposit $ 2,450 into the manufacturer's account.
APWorks said they first want to experiment with different shapes and styles of motorcycles before moving on to mass production.