The Royal College of Art, London, hosted a competition sponsored by Hyundai and Royal College of Art (RCA) Vehicle Design programme to develop a concept of future mobility.

Design students at the Royal College of Art this week presented their work at the RCA’s work in progress show. Among the vehicle design students, Robert Hagenstrom presented his model that was printed on the Matrix 300. The brief called for a four-metre long, four-seater vehicle, with an elevated seating position targeted for a first time car buyer from Generation Z, with a time to market within five to ten years.

Robert’s concept managed to create a vehicle with a modular personal space inside, using only three metres of length. This was accomplished by putting two small direct drive electrical engines under the rear passenger seats, with batteries under the front seats, and having no explicit cargo space. Because all four seats are seldom in constant use, the vacant ones can be folded and used to store items on. “The quality of the surface on of the Matrix model seems to be equally as high as stereolithography, which is amazing,” said Robert.

The Matrix series of 3D printers converts 3D digital data into 3D models using A4 paper that are up to 50 times less expensive than competitors’ current technologies and the system is considered the ‘greenest’ 3D printer in the world. "We are very pleased to see the Matrix being utilised for such an innovative exhibition, sponsored by such a forward thinking company like Hyundai," said Dr Conor MacCormack, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer, Mcor Technologies. “Robert’s model illustrates the core benefits of the Matrix by providing accurate parts that can fit together to make large models that are inexpensive and eco-friendly.”

“The Hyundai van is the first time we have built a model larger than the build volume of the Matrix," said Nick Grace, Manager, RapidformRCA, Royal College of Art. "We were apprehensive about how well the component parts would fit together so were delighted when both the accuracy and the surface finish exceeded our expectations. We look forward to exploring this technology further; I think it has a great future."

The Matrix 300 3D printer is now available in Ireland and the UK. Distribution into Europe and the US will commence second and third quarter of 2010.