Apr 13, 2017 | By Tess
A team of students from a German university has built a single-person racing vehicle using 3D printing technologies. The impressive racer, called “TOXIC,” is powered by a single cordless electric drill—the kind you might find in your own tool kit.
Last summer we wrote about the annual Akkuschrauberrennen (Cordless Screwdriver Race) that is hosted by the HAWK University of Applied Sciences and Arts in Hildesheim, Germany. For nearly a decade, the event has brought together students teams from various universities to design and build the fastest one-person vehicles operated by nothing but a cordless electric screwdriver.
For the 2016 races, the competition required that all teams use an organic-inspired design and incorporate at least one 3D printed component into their racer. Obviously, this piqued our interest immensely. (You can read more about the races and their results here.)
Team Toxic, comprised of five students from Hochschule Coburg (or the Coburg University of Applied Sciences), built a truly stunning 3D printed vehicle for the races that we would be remiss to not mention.
The vehicle’s structure (as well as its name) was inspired by the shape of a stinging scorpion, which can kind of be discerned by looking at it. Its framework, however, is what we really want to draw attention to. The racer’s 3D printed framework integrates a visually striking triangular structure which provides strength and durability to the vehicle without adding on too much weight.
Of course, being built for one purpose (going fast while only being powered by a cordless drill), the rest of the vehicle is quite rudimentary, using the driver’s shifting weight for steering, for instance. At its full power, the TOXIC racer has reached speeds of up to 12 miles per hour. (A full battery runs for about a mile.)
Impressively, Team Toxic took home the second place audience award with its 3D printed vehicle at the 2016 races, which took place on June 25, 2016. As the 2017 annual Akkuschrauberrennen approaches, we can’t wait to see what kind of 3D printed vehicles will be showcased this year!
Students Achim Staude, Bastian Reichhardt, Christian Kropfeld, Martin Ehlers, and Christoph Uebel all worked on Team Toxic.
Posted in 3D Printing Application
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That is some pretty hefty music for 12mph! Still, it looks very nice! :-)
Eric Spidell wrote at 4/14/2017 12:05:29 AM:
Wow! I want the files to print my own!