Honda and Kabuku Inc. collaborated to unveil one of the largest products produced in Japan using 3D printing technology - a short range 'Micro Commuter' electric vehicle!
The little vehicle, which was unveiled at CEATEC Japan 2016, was developed for the Japanese confectionary maker, Toshimaya. The company will use it for local deliveries of Toshiyama's most famous product, dove shaped shortbread know as 'Hato sablé''. Micro Commuter provides space for a driver only, but also has a lot of room to carry deliveries of sweet treats.
The new vehicle's chassis is constructed from Honda's rigid but lightweight pipe frame structure. To create the exterior panels and luggage space, 3D printing techniques were used. Micro Commuter, which only weighs 600 kilograms, is powered by Honda's Micro EV technology, the 11 kW electric motor, that ensures maximum speed of 70 km/h and short-range trips of up to approximately 80 km on a fully charged battery.