The future is a difficult thing to predict - unless your obsession is cars and you're an Engineer or Designer. You'll likely be making these very vehicles a reality! But one thing that was hard to predict was which one would be the winner. According to Bre Pettis, CEO of Makerbot. “We were amazed and awed by the designs submitted for the MakerBot and GrabCAD 3D Print Challenge. Judging was incredibly difficult, especially since many, including myself, are major automotive enthusiasts.” So without further ado, congratulations to GrabCADr Omega for winning first prize, a Makerbot Replicator 2!

1st Place - ALPHA by Omega

This futuristic aerodynamic flying spacecraft combines gorgeous curves with hot rod triple exhaust and spoilers. The description of Alpha reads: After solving the energy crisis with cold fusion in 2039, scientists made two very important breakthroughs in energy storage and propulsion. A new type of capacitor with an enormous energy density of 1MWh/dm^3 emerged out of a billon dollar project. Secondly, a highly advanced circular magnetoplasmadynamic thruster (cMPD) entered a practical stage. It works by accelerating hydrogen atoms very efficient almost to the speed of light. Through the relativistic mass dilatation, which occurs at such particle velocities, only a very small amount of working mass has to be carried along the vehicle. In 2040 the prototype Alpha, utilizing this technology, was built in cooperation with MakerBot Industries. The first flight beat all expectations. From then on it was an ease taking off vertically and flying out into space. Only a year later, the Alpha consumer product came to the market. Traffic was quickly heaved into the third dimension, and after two decades, massive autonomous cargo ships left earth heading towards Mars to initiate large-scale terrafomation.

…And so a new area for mankind began.

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Gaberiel Ortin describes his vehicle as: This rugged automobile concept for the year 2040 is designed for individuals that can’t live without a fundamental driving experience. The concept features a rigid, lightweight construction and is entirely operated with by-wire technology. The electronic steering and propulsion systems allow for an intuitive, direct experience. The suspended seats rotate with the car when turning for enhanced visibility and the driver is directly connected to the road.

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Matthew Gueller created this beautiful single passenger vehicle that is based around today’s hot rod motorcycles, but with a look toward the year 2040 as a rugged and stable vehicle to ride the ground.

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4th Place Firanse R3 by Luis Cordoba

Luis Cordoba envisioned he Firanse R3 in the year 2040 where there are not limits for what could be 3D printed, every material and size is possible, and the recycling process has been completely rewritten. He noted: The products are cheaper and more efficient because the internal parts could be more complex, resistant and smaller, printed directly in place. And if something is broken it can simply be reduced to its original material and reprinted again, and the owner could even could collect several things and make something completely different and convenient with one's lifestyle. This is where the Firanse R3 takes place as a completely affordable, personalized and ecological car. This concept vehicle consists of two parts, the first one is the cab that holds the seats, batteries and the principal controls, and second part are the modular wheels that have the engines, brakes, suspension and direction system.

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5th Place The Sampa by Brian

Brian describes the Sampa or "Gunnar" is a: jet powered 'motorcycle' designed to have individual internal parts 3d printed with carbon/aluminum panel overlay. This will allow for a lighter final design and ease of replacement. I thought it would be a cool concept as a hover bike or air-to-air personal transport, allowing you to fit into small spaces and yet carry a top speed comparable to an aircraft. All parts modeled by Brian T. Acton.

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6th Place LB1 by Marcos

The LB1 is a personal flying vehicle, rounded on all sides for easy maneuverability and with a closed cockpit door for safety and wind resistance.

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