Light-weight, durable cars are the next frontier of 3D printing. Meet Urbee, the hybrid that, according to its inventor, will be the VW Bug of our century.
Imagine an economy car with only 50 individual light-weight but durable component parts that has the potential to reach 70 mph and make a cross-country trip from New York to California on just one 10-gallon tank of fuel.
Urbee, Manitoba-based Jim Kor's invention, may just fit this model.
The car's design includes a metal internal combustion engine, an electric motor and frame. Polymer-based, the latter, is 3D-printed over a 3-month period.
Kor is using RedEye's 3D printing facilities in Eden Prairie, MN to produce the car.
According to Kor, 3D printing provides design and budget flexibility because it reduces the number of component parts while not compromising complexity of form. Unlike sheet metal, which comes in uniform thickness, printed thermoplastics vary their thickness to provide strength where needed, while reducing the overall weight of the car's body.
FULL STORY: 3D printing's next level: economy cars (w/ video)

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

King County Supportive Housing Program Offers Hope for Unhoused Residents
The county is taking a ‘Housing First’ approach that prioritizes getting people into housing, then offering wraparound supportive services.

Researchers Use AI to Get Clearer Picture of US Housing
Analysts are using artificial intelligence to supercharge their research by allowing them to comb through data faster. Though these AI tools can be error prone, they save time and housing researchers are optimistic about the future.

Making Shared Micromobility More Inclusive
Cities and shared mobility system operators can do more to include people with disabilities in planning and operations, per a new report.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
planning NEXT
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie