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Edison2 Collaborates with Local Motors Open Source Community for Mechanical Design Challenge

Sunday, August 5, 2012 1:58

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(Before It's News)

(Press Release)

X PRIZE winner Edison2 has teamed up with Local Motors (LM) open source community and Siemens PLM Software, provider of Solid Edge Design1TM software, on an exciting design challenge to create a new component for the pre-production version of the Very Light Car (VLC). For full design challenge details visit www.localmotors.com/edison2.

Together, Edison2 and the LM Community will create an aerodynamic new door handle for the VLC, challenging participants to meet both aesthetics and functionality goals. Participants will be able to use their existing Solid Edge® software or download a free trial of Solid Edge Design1 software being offered by LM for the duration of the challenge. Solid Edge Design1, which is based on Siemens PLM Software’s Solid Edge, makes professional-level computer-aided design (CAD) software available to the design enthusiast. To download the free trial of Solid Edge Design1 visit www.localmotors.com/design1.

About the VLC

Edison2 won the top prize ($5 million) in the 2010 Progressive Insurance Automotive X PRIZE with the Very Light Car, an unprecedented combination of light weight and low aerodynamic drag. Weighing 830 pounds and with a drag coefficient of 0.160 – lowest ever recorded at the GM Aero Lab – the VLC achieved 110 MPGe (EPA combined cycle) and 129 MPGe (highway) at the X Prize, using a 250 cc internal combustion engine.

Since winning the X PRIZE, Edison2 has been working in their Lynchburg, Virginia, facility on a stunning new version of the Very Light Car (VLC). Although the next generation VLC uses the same architecture and virtues of efficiency that won Edison2 the X Prize, it is a completely new vehicle, capable of meeting regulatory requirements, and will have production-car fit-and-finish, safety, comfort and handling.

Edison2 is excited to work with Local Motors and the Forge community to come up with clever, thoughtful, and elegant designs for the next Very Light Car.

Competition Details