AP CEO of Airbus Tom Enders presents the first 3D printed electric motorbike in Ottobrunn, Germany AP

WHAT WEIGHS 77 pounds, goes at 80 km/h and looks like a Swiss cheese on wheels?

An electric motorcycle made from tiny aluminum alloy particles using a 3D printer of course.

European aeronautics giant Airbus unveiled the ‘Light Rider’ in Germany on yesterday, with company boss Tom Enders taking a spin on the group’s latest innovation.

Manufactured by its subsidiary APWorks, a specialist in additive layer manufacturing, the motorcycle uses hollow frame parts that contain the cables and pipes.

AP Tom Enders (left) and Joachim Zettler AP

The frame weighs just 13 pounds, about 30% less than conventional e-motorbikes.

APWorks chief executive Joachim Zettler said the complex, branched hollow structure wouldn’t have been possible with conventional production technologies such as milling or welding. Airbus is trying to apply the same principle on aircraft.

The company is taking orders for a limited run of 50 motorbikes, costing €50,000 plus tax apiece.

AP AP

The bikes will have a range of 60 kilometres.

The group plans to present a 3D printed twin-engined aircraft prototype at the Berlin Air Show in June.

With AFP

Read: Yep, people are still pretty terrible at choosing passwords

Read: Stop closing down your apps, it only makes things worse

Making a difference

A mix of advertising and supporting contributions helps keep paywalls away from valuable information like this article. Over 5,000 readers like you have already stepped up and support us with a monthly payment or a once-off donation.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can make sure we can keep reliable, meaningful news open to everyone regardless of their ability to pay.

Support us Learn More