A 3D Printed Electric Motorcycle, Straight Out of Anime?
Who hasn’t wished they could join their anime heroes and comic book role models on adventures, defeating bad guys and enjoying victory? A 3D printed electric motorcycle that could have come straight out of Japanese anime classic Akira, which is reminiscent of Shotaro Kaneda’s emblematic bike, comes very close to this daydream. DAB Motors and the Vita Veloce Team (VTT) have now brought this unique motorcycle to life. It was presented for the first time at the birthday party of Colombian singer J Balvin, co-founder of VVT, together with designer Mattias Gollin. What makes the bike so special?
The electric motorcycle was created using a combination of artificial intelligence, 3D printing and manual work. Initial sketches and details were created with the help of AI tools and, and then the design was modeled. The bodywork was 3D printed, although the exact process is not known. However, it could have been SLS, as post-processing was carried out with sand, and sandblasting is a common process for SLS-printed components. Nevertheless, the chosen technology was not communicated. Ultimately, the body was sanded, painted and assembled by hand.
A 3D Printed Electric Motorcycle for All the Senses
The 3D printed electric motorcycle has an almost closed fairing and is painted in deep red. To make the bike look less than perfect, scratches have been deliberately incorporated, as if the electric bike had already been on numerous adventures. Additional LED strips under the bodywork make the bike glow at night and set the scene in blue-purple.
But it’s not just the look that’s impressive. The electric motorcycle is designed to offer an experience for all the senses. A sound-absorbing foam has been integrated between the rim and wheel cover. This ensures a deep, humming sound on the one hand and an intense, vibrating riding experience on the other. A windshield has also been fitted for faster rides.
You might think that DAB Motors and the Vita Veloce team had fulfilled a childhood dream with the electric motorcycle. However, it has not been officially confirmed that the model was the iconic bike from Akira. Furthermore, the 3D printed electric motorcycle is not just a show bike. It can be ridden and will be available for purchase in a limited edition. If you’ve now acquired a taste for it, you have the opportunity to do the same as Shotaro Kaneda and chase one adventure after the next on a sleek bike.
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*All Photo Credits: DAB Motors and Vita Veloce Team
