Large-scale 3D printing technology will become an important development direction in the fields of mobile vehicles and logistics.
[Qiming Additive Manufacturing]Ukrainian startupLemki Robotix has partnered with German 3D printing company iSCALEto launch a fully3D printed off-road robot, made entirely from recyclable materials.
This robot belongs to the category of unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) and can be applied in logistics transportation for defense purposes. With its excellent all-terrain adaptability and intelligent navigation system, this innovative autonomous robot can also be used in the following scenarios: search and rescue operations, infrastructure inspection, precision agriculture, and transporting supplies to remote or hazardous areas.
This robot, hailed as the world’s first off-road robot, has nearly all its components manufactured using3D printing technology:
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The body is printed using glass fiber reinforced recycled polypropylene (PP) material, featuring complete sealing properties
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The wheels are formed using recycled polyurethane (PU) material
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The hub is printed using carbon fiber reinforced nylon (PA) material
The design of the robot’s wheels is particularly noteworthy: they adopt a airless tire structure, with an integrated buoyancy cavity design that allows it to tackle complex off-road terrains and even swim on water (at this time, the 3D printed tires will act as paddles). This airless tire design also has multiple advantages: low maintenance requirements, high load capacity, and most importantly, it completely eliminates the risk of punctures or blowouts.
Lemki Robotix pointed out: “For unmanned ground vehicles (UGV) operating in complex terrains, debris-laden areas, or extreme environments, traditional inflatable tires are a weak link. This is why more and more manufacturers are turning to airless tires. In the fields of military, agriculture, and rescue robots, airless tires are not only a trend but a necessity— they enhance platform survivability, reduce operational costs, and enable true all-terrain autonomous operations.
This all-terrain capable autonomous robot, in addition to its3D printed body and wheels, also integrates several core components of autonomous technology: a 360-degree panoramic camera, LiDAR, and Starlink satellite communication system. Its onboard neural network supports both manual and autonomous dual-mode control and can operate normally in areas without GPS signals.
Lemki and its partners recently showcased this off-road platform at the 3D Printing Expo in Lyon, France. Although the current version is a functional validation prototype, it has successfully validated the potential of large-scale 3D printing technology in mobile vehicle and logistics applications. The company’s ultimate goal is to achieve global localized manufacturing through a distributed production model, minimizing ecological footprints while building an autonomous logistics system.
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