Stratasys 3D Printing Solutions Integral to Launch New Light-Weight, Solar Powered 'e-floater' Electric Scooter

BADEN BADEN, Germany, December 15, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

"We would have not been able to take this product from development to launch without using Stratasys 3D printing to develop a working prototype - it's as simple as that," Oliver Risse, Floatility's founder 

Fully-functional 3D printed prototypes produced 50% faster using both FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies from Stratasys in comparison to silicon molding  

Stratasys EMEA, a subsidiary of Stratasys Ltd. (Nasdaq:SSYS), the 3D printing and additive manufacturing solutions company, today announced that German start-up business, Floatility GmbH, has developed a first-of-its-kind, lightweight, solar-powered, electric scooter using both Stratasys PolyJet and FDM 3D printing technology.

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295932 )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295933 )

     (Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20151215/295934 )

With the objective to 'redefine the modern way of travelling in cities worldwide', the 'e-floater' scooter houses an electric-motor and drives on three wheels, enabling users to stand upright and ride freely without physical exertion. As an 'intelligent' vehicle, the e-floater is also able to communicate to its owner in real time where it is located and the condition it is in.

In order meet the product's launch date of November, Floatility utilized both Stratasys FDM and PolyJet 3D printing technologies throughout the product development phase to create a working prototype. An additional benefit was that this was achieved significantly more cost-effectively than using traditional methods.

"The need to build prototypes that exactly resembled the final product and that would enable us to test everything thoroughly was vital to the successful launch of this product," says Oliver Risse, Floatility's founder. "3D printing was essential in this regard as it allowed the team to physically test the design and concept of e-floater as if it were the final product. This not only sped up the product development cycle, but dramatically reduced our product development costs. We would have not been able to take this product from concept to launch without using Stratasys 3D printing solutions to develop a working prototype - it's as simple as that."