Honda exhibited its “MC-β” small-scale micro commuter vehicle. Most of the external features of this vehicle were created using a 3D printer.

Unique frame structure employed

MC-β is a 4-wheeler, 2-seater micro EV developed by Honda for short urban trips. The vehicle has a buggy-like structure that combines ladder and pipe framing. This unique frame structure has the advantage of enabling easy bodywork and exchange of interiors and exteriors. MC-β’s original body structure can be customized for deliveries or mobility applications.

Created with these characteristics, the “Toshimaya” delivery vehicle on display in the booth is designed to look like the familiar Toshimaya sable cookies. As a delivery vehicle, the rear seat has been removed to create a luggage space. The exterior design of the vehicle reflects the Toshimaya HQ in old Kamakura, and is the work of the Kabuku Company.

Kabuku is a venture company developing 3D printing businesses. Parts such as the Toshimaya emblem, front cowling, rear quarter and rear gate are mostly created using 3D printing. To emphasize the 3D printed material, the display features some unfinished processing – the company has purposely left some unprocessed resinous layering of the 3D printer for visitors to see.

Accumulated experimental achievements

Although MC-β is not on sale yet, Honda has demonstrated this vehicle in uses such as public vehicles, sightseeing rental cars and car sharing vehicles in local governments in Kumamoto City, Saitama City, Miyakojima and others. An application is being processed to acquire number plates for the Toshimaya model as an ultracompact mobility vehicle in Kamakura City.

According to specs, the vehicle can achieve speeds up to 70 km/h, and it takes seven hours to charge it on a household 100V supply. This means a full charge would only take 3 hours on a 200V supply. Instead of the standardized CHAdeMO charging method, the vehicle uses an ordinary standard plug and socket as its charging cable. The battery gives the vehicle a range of around 80 km. Since the battery capacity isn’t so large, it doesn’t support rapid charging.

One-off features used in the vehicle

Since exterior parts are created with a 3-D printer, and no metal paneling is required, the time from designed to manufacture is remarkably shortened. However cost wise, costs do not fall so much when considering the cost of materials to output large parts and the cost of using a large 3-D printer, even when substituting the costs of metal paneling.

Thus, this technology is oriented towards one-off vehicles or vehicles for special purposes. Nevertheless, the cost problem could be solved by establishing a reasonable business model in which a range of user-selectable design variations are prepared rather than customizing every single order.

freely designed exterior to suit various applications

Exhibit area

Community area

Booth number

2S59

Related links

http://www.honda.co.jp/mc-beta/about.html

Exhibit Information

Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
http://www.ceatec.com/en/exhibitors/detail.html?id=6812