Mobility challenges

Airbus has signed a new deal to manufacture drones and
self-driving cars with Local Motors Industries, a 3D-printing
start-up in San Francisco. The two companies are joining forces to
launch Neorizon, a venture which will build mobility and autonomy
solutions.

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Mobility challenges

“Every local and state government is faced with challenges
such as rapid urbanization and congestion, inefficient and
pollutive transport, and ever-changing and evolving technology,”
said in a statement Jay Rogers, CEO and founder of LM
Industries.

“Current transport infrastructure and existing mass
manufacturing are too inflexible and capital intense to service
evolving technology trends and changing consumer
demands.”

Neorizon’s aim will be to operate a “microfactory”
where new transportation products “will be built rapidly and
efficiently.” Neorizon’s operations will be based at Airbus’
Ludwig-Bölkow-Campus near Munich, Germany in conjunction with an
Innovation Campus including a new Technical University of Munich
Campus. 

“We’ve been working with LM Industries’ team at Local
Motors since early 2016 when we realized the unique value
proposition surrounding direct digital manufacturing and
open-source design. Both parties recognized the commercial
opportunities for pooling resources and expertise, specifically
combining LM Industries’ digital manufacturing with Airbus’
materials expertise, metal 3D printing and additive manufacturing,
and prototyping and serial production capabilities,”
said Peter Weckesser, Digital Transformation Officer of Airbus
Defence and Space.

Open to new partnerships

Essentially what Neorizon will be doing is 3D-printing
mobility solutions such as drones and self-driving cars. Dirk
Hoke, chief executive of Airbus Defence, told^[2]
the Financial Times the new venture is about driving
innovation and that they are open to working with more
partners.

“As a big company you struggle to have a good story on how
to drive innovation compared to little start-ups,” Hoke said. “Here
is a good combination: an open ecosystem for co-development,
prototyping and inviting other companies.”

In 2016, Local Motors 3D-printed Olli, a self-driving
shuttle built with 90% fewer parts than a traditional vehicle and
100% recyclable parts.