With the help of lasers and origami folds, a team of United Kingdom designers have been hired by Lexus to build an electric cardboard vehicle that gives new meaning to “going green”.
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Continue reading for the full story. The Origami auto is a faithful and life-size version of the Lexus IS saloon. Lexus collaborated with the UK’s Lasercut Works, which has experience in designing things like prototypes and architectural models.
In total, the collaboration used 1,700 laser-cut sheets of recycled cardboard which covers both the exterior and interior down to the seatbelt buckle and gearstick. Finally, each slice was given a reference number for assembly. Crafted from 1,700 fully recyclable laser-cut cardboard pieces, the project is a great example of what can be achieved when you combine today’s technology with engineering, design and the construction capabilities of living, breathing people.
Founder of Scales and Models told City A.M.
Now, it wouldn’t be possible to make a working auto completely out of cardboard – that would be madness, just think of the mess adding petrol would cause. You though carbon fiber is cool?
But just because it can be driven, doesn’t necessarily mean that it should.
In a release, the Japanese automaker called the auto “a celebration of the human craftsmanship skills that go into every vehicle Lexus makes”. The origami vehicle takes the spirit of this talent to a far higher level, while also embracing the spirit of Lexus” “Creating Amazing’ global brand campaign. Inside, the paper auto has everything a regular Lexus would, while functioning doors, headlights, and rolling wheels accurately complete the big picture.
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Perhaps I shouldn’t say it’s made completely of cardboard, because its body is mounted on a steel and aluminum frame and is powered by an electric motor. Each piece was printed to scale using a digital 3D model of the sedan provided by Lexus.
