BMW i Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount in Desktop Metals with the hope of using 3-D printing technology within its design and manufacturing process.
by Staff
February 6, 2017
Photo courtesy of Desktop Metal.
1 min to read
Photo courtesy of Desktop Metal.
BMW i Ventures has invested an undisclosed amount in Desktop Metals with the hope of using 3-D printing technology within its design and manufacturing process.
"From rapid prototyping and printing exceptional quality parts for end-use production, to freedom of design and mass customization, Desktop Metal is shaping the way cars will be imaged, designed and manufactured," said Uwe Higgen, managing partner of BMW i Ventures.
Ad Loading...
Desktop Metal has developed ways to use metal 3-D printing in manufacturing through the creation of innovative technology that produces complex parts. The company employes 75 engineers.
"Just as plastic has redefined rapid prototyping, metal 3-D printing will make a profound impact on the way companies manufacture rapid prototypes and mass produce parts across all major industries," said Ric Fulop, CEO and co-founder of Desktop Metal.
Desktop Metal has raised $97 million in equity funding since its founding in October 2015. The latest round of $45 million came from GV (formerly Google Ventures), BMW i Ventures, and Lowe's Ventures, the company announced.
AI is no longer a future concept for fleets—it’s already embedded in the tools, data, and decisions that operators rely on every day. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, recorded live at Fleet Forward, industry leaders take the conversation beyond hype to examine what responsible AI adoption really looks like in fleet operations.
As fleets rethink how they capture, manage, and act on vehicle data, telematics is at a major inflection point. In this episode of the Fleet Forward Podcast, we dive deep into one of the most pressing questions facing fleet leaders today: Should you rely on OEM factory-installed connectivity, aftermarket devices, or a hybrid of both?
Experts from telematics analytics, fleet-as-a-service operations, and national EV benchmarking share how real-time data is reshaping fleet strategy—dispelling assumptions, validating best practices, and exposing costly missteps.
A powerhouse panel featuring experts from the American Automotive Leasing Association, CalSTART, and municipal fleet leadership dives into the realities of navigating shifting emissions rules, regulatory waivers, federal agency actions, the future of the EPA’s endangerment finding, and the push for unified standards. They also examine the impacts of tariffs, autonomous vehicle policy, battery innovation, and the accelerating global EV market.
This episode kicks off with a deep dive into the technologies and market forces reshaping today’s fleet landscape. Host Chris Brown is joined by Laolu Adeola (Leke Services), Tyson Jomini (J.D. Power), and Richard Hall (ZappiRide) to break down real-world data, shifting incentives, and practical strategies fleet leaders can use right now.
In the middle of natural disasters fleet managers must shift priorities to protect people and assets. What policy items should be loosened, and when should the line be held?
In this episode, fleet leaders from municipal, university, and private-sector organizations share a candid EV reality check. From infrastructure setbacks and policy whiplash to grant funding, total cost of ownership, and charging resiliency, this conversation dives into what it actually takes to scale electrification in the real world.
After a decade of lagging compensation, fleet manager pay is climbing. But expanding responsibilities, larger fleets, and growing complexity continue to redefine the role.