Neorizon: Pioneering the Future of Digital Mobility and Urban Transport with Additive Manufacturing

In a significant move poised to redefine the landscape of urban transportation, aerospace giant Airbus and innovative digital manufacturing leader LM Industries have joined forces to launch a groundbreaking digital mobility startup named Neorizon. This ambitious venture is much more than just a new company; it’s conceived as a microfactory dedicated to delivering disruptive and highly innovative products, with a sharp focus on local mobility solutions and advanced autonomy. Strategically located at Airbus’ prestigious Ludwig-Bölkow Campus near Munich, Germany, Neorizon is set to become a hub of innovation, leveraging cutting-edge technology to address some of the most pressing challenges facing modern cities. This partnership signals a powerful convergence of aerospace engineering prowess and agile digital manufacturing expertise, promising a new era for sustainable and efficient urban transport.

A Synergistic Partnership: Blending Aerospace Excellence with Digital Manufacturing Agility

Both Airbus and LM Industries bring formidable experience and unparalleled expertise to the table, particularly in the fields of digital manufacturing and 3D printing. LM Industries, renowned as the parent company of Local Motors, has already made significant strides in developing 3D printed electric and autonomous vehicles, most notably the Olli shuttle, along with its open innovation platform, Launch Forth. This deep-seated knowledge in rapidly prototyping and manufacturing complex autonomous systems through additive processes positions LM Industries as a pivotal contributor to Neorizon’s mission.

Jay Rogers, CEO and Founder of LM Industries, articulated the driving force behind this unprecedented collaboration, explaining the urgent need for Neorizon: “Every local and state government is faced with challenges such as rapid urbanization and congestion, inefficient and pollutive transport, and ever-changing and evolving technology. Current transport infrastructure and existing mass manufacturing are too inflexible and capital intense to service evolving technology trends and changing consumer demands.” This statement underscores the core problem Neorizon aims to solve: the increasing disconnect between static traditional manufacturing and the dynamic, evolving needs of modern urban mobility. The startup is envisioned as a flexible, responsive entity capable of adapting quickly to technological shifts and consumer preferences, a capability that traditional manufacturing often struggles to match.

Neorizon’s Vision: Redefining Transportation with Additive Manufacturing and AI

Essentially, Neorizon is designed to coalesce the extensive resources, cutting-edge technological innovations, and deep industry expertise of both Airbus and LM Industries. The primary objective is to conceive, develop, and deploy novel transportation and mobility solutions, with a strong emphasis on leveraging additive manufacturing. This revolutionary approach to production allows for unprecedented levels of customization, speed, and material efficiency, crucial factors for addressing the diverse and rapidly changing demands of urban environments.

The specific contributions of each partner create a powerful synergy. On one hand, LM Industries provides its robust, open autonomous vehicle (AV) shuttle platform, a proven foundation for developing intelligent, self-driving transportation. This platform is not just about moving people; it’s about creating flexible, data-driven systems that can integrate seamlessly into existing urban infrastructure. On the other hand, Airbus contributes its sophisticated positioning systems, initially developed for drones, which can be adapted for precise navigation and traffic management of ground-based autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, Airbus brings invaluable materials expertise, particularly in advanced composites and lightweight alloys, alongside its extensive capabilities in metal 3D printing, complex additive manufacturing processes, and large-scale prototyping and serial production.

Peter Weckesser, Digital Transformation Officer of Airbus Defense and Space, elaborated on the strategic rationale: “Both parties recognized the commercial opportunities for pooling resources and expertise, specifically combining LM Industries’ digital manufacturing with Airbus’ materials expertise, metal 3D printing and additive manufacturing, and prototyping and serial production capabilities.” This statement highlights the recognition of complementary strengths. LM Industries excels in the agility of digital design and localized production, while Airbus brings industrial-scale manufacturing rigor, advanced material science, and safety standards honed in the demanding aerospace sector. This fusion is expected to accelerate the development cycle from concept to scalable product, ensuring that Neorizon’s solutions are not only innovative but also reliable and viable for real-world deployment.

The Microfactory Model: Agility, Innovation, and Local Impact

While the exact details regarding the specific solutions Neorizon will produce remain under wraps, the microfactory model itself offers a clear indication of its operational philosophy. A microfactory, unlike traditional large-scale manufacturing plants, focuses on highly agile, localized, and often customized production. This approach dramatically reduces lead times, minimizes waste, and allows for rapid iteration of designs based on real-world feedback. For Neorizon, this means the ability to quickly develop, test, and deploy urban mobility solutions that are tailored to the unique needs of specific communities, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach. This localized manufacturing capability, powered by advanced digital tools and additive manufacturing, will be instrumental in making smart, sustainable transportation accessible and efficient.

Beyond its technological ambitions, Neorizon is also poised to be a significant economic driver. The microfactory is projected to create between 150 and 200 high-tech jobs, encompassing roles in design, engineering, software development, and advanced manufacturing. Furthermore, it will offer valuable design and engineering apprenticeship opportunities, fostering a new generation of skilled professionals in Germany’s thriving technological ecosystem. This commitment to local talent development reinforces the idea that Neorizon is not just building vehicles, but also building capabilities and communities.

The new company will be expertly led by Benjamin Queisser, a seasoned senior executive with extensive international business leadership experience. His vision for Neorizon aligns perfectly with the urgent need for dynamic urban solutions. He concluded: “We will address local mobility issues by rapidly producing concepts, prototypes, products, and solutions, in collaboration with the local technological ecosystem.” This statement emphasizes the collaborative nature of Neorizon’s mission, highlighting its intention to work closely with local authorities, academic institutions, and other innovators to ensure its solutions are truly integrated and effective within their intended environments.

Addressing Global Urbanization Challenges with Intelligent Mobility

The challenges of rapid urbanization are global. Cities are grappling with ever-increasing populations, leading to severe traffic congestion, elevated carbon emissions from traditional transport methods, and public health concerns related to air quality and noise pollution. Existing public transport systems, while vital, often struggle to keep pace with expansion and evolving demands, frequently hampered by high capital expenditure requirements and long development cycles. Neorizon aims to disrupt this paradigm by offering agile, digitally manufactured mobility options that can be deployed faster, customized more effectively, and updated more frequently than conventional vehicles. Imagine modular, autonomous shuttles that can adapt their routes and capacity based on real-time demand, or specialized last-mile delivery vehicles that reduce congestion in urban cores – these are the kinds of possibilities that Neorizon’s microfactory model, combined with additive manufacturing, can unlock.

The strategic location of Neorizon’s headquarters and microfactory at Airbus’ Ludwig-Bölkow Campus near Munich positions it at the heart of European innovation. This proximity to a major industrial player like Airbus provides not only logistical advantages but also fosters a culture of engineering excellence and rigorous standards, which are essential for developing safe and reliable autonomous mobility solutions. Furthermore, Germany’s strong focus on advanced manufacturing and sustainability creates an ideal environment for Neorizon to flourish and set new benchmarks in digital mobility.

The integration of autonomous vehicle technology with additive manufacturing processes allows for unprecedented design freedom and functional optimization. Components can be printed on demand, reducing inventory needs and supply chain complexities. Designs can be iterated rapidly, enabling quick responses to user feedback and technological advancements. This agility is precisely what is needed to navigate the fast-evolving landscape of urban mobility and ensure that solutions remain relevant and effective over time. Neorizon is thus not merely manufacturing vehicles; it is establishing a dynamic framework for continuous innovation in urban transportation.

What do you think of the ambitious mission Neorizon has set out to accomplish in transforming urban mobility? Share your thoughts and insights with us in a comment below or join the conversation on our Facebook and Twitter pages! Don’t miss out on the latest advancements in 3D printing and digital manufacturing; sign up for our free weekly Newsletter to get all the news straight to your inbox!