Carbon DLS 3D printing technology enables new headrest design for Lotus Theory 1 concept car

Carbon’s Digital Gentle Synthesis 3D printing know-how has been leveraged for the manufacturing of headrests for Lotus’ Idea 1 idea automotive.

The Lotus Idea 1 is the corporate’s is the primary idea automotive to be unveiled as a part of the automotive firm’s Lotus Idea new design manifesto, which can kind the muse for all future Lotus fashions.

To this finish, Lotus has developed the proprietary LOTUSWEAR driver system, an immersive system that goals to ship a personalised expertise to ever occupant within the automotive. That is stated to characteristic an adaptive mushy and light-weight robotic textile materials, with inflatable pods able to reacting in actual time to supply extra help, grip and refined prompts being integrated into the seating and steering wheel.

As well as, LOTUSWEAR options 3D printed lattice construction headrests which were developed in collaboration with Carbon. These 3D printed headrests have been designed to supply all occupants of the automotive ‘most consolation’ whereas lowering the burden, bettering materials effectivity and optimising aerodynamics. A part of the headrest can also be a binaural audio system, designed in collaboration with KEF to ship a ‘actually immersive and distinctive audio expertise.’ It’s stated to supply particular person bespoke soundscapes for every of the occupants, additional enhanced by the subwoofer speaker positioned behind the driving force seat. With this headrest, occupants can improve ‘pace’ sounds to ship a ‘sense of thrill, exhilaration and enjoyable’ whereas additionally benefitting from noise cancelling skills to enhance focus. 

“With Idea 1, we’ve constructed on all the things Lotus has achieved thus far in its 76-year historical past, to push the boundaries for what it means to drive a efficiency automobile,” stated Ben Payne, Vice President of Design at Lotus Group. “We wish to display that you just don’t have to compromise – with each digital and analogue capabilities working harmoniously sooner or later automotive. In doing this, we’re in a position to carry drivers the very best immersive driving expertise with uncooked emotion, performance and connectivity, on the core.”

The improvements introduced by this Idea 1 idea automotive venture are anticipated to be applied into future Lotus automobiles within the coming years. 

A full run-down of the developments to be featured within the Idea 1 idea automotive will be discovered right here.