J Balvin celebrated his 40th birthday in style with A-list celebrities, and a surprise red electric motorbike that is designed by Vita Veloce Team (VVT), which is the singing sensation’s maiden venture with designer Mattias Gollin. Although the star singer was fully abreast of the close development of the anime-themed bike developed in collaboration with DAB Motors, little did he know the bike would debut at his star-studded bash!
According to Gollin and Simon Dabadie, founder of DAB, who played a key role in the development of this two-wheeler, the Colombian singing sensation had “no idea when it would be ready. We kept the manufacturing of the motorcycle completely secret. Rolling it out at Castello di Velona, surrounded by friends—that moment felt special.”
Designer: DAB Motors and VVT
It was a surprise for him as he never anticipated the arrival of this cool electric bike (developed under his close watch) at his birthday event. The VVT team members later confirmed that the motorcycle is heavily inspired by Shotaro Kaneda’s red bike in Akira, a hit Japanese anime series. The one-off prototype was conceived, designed, and constructed in mere three weeks using AI-powered design tools. Developed on the DAB Motors’ trusted 1α platform, the bike is a part sculpture, part anime, and completely rideable. Gollin wanted the electric bike to feel like riding through a dream, hence the sound-absorbing foam in the wheel covers and rims that creates a hypnotic low-frequency sound when cruising down the alley. This futurism is matched by the purplish blue LED light strips in the wheels that create a sense of motion.
The two-seater motorbike can reach a top speed of 130 km/h and which is the reason it retains the sturdy windshield. Having a monolithic enclosed design aesthetic, the frame of the bike wraps the chunky wheels. The bodywork is 3D-printed and then sanded to perfection to achieve the futuristic appeal. After the extensive matte red paint job, the surface is patinaed to achieve a rusty look, as if the bike has aged on purpose, even though it is brand new. The stickers and decals all over the bodywork lend it a domineer akin to the ones that lay a heavy price on their presence. The total charge time of three hours and 30 minutes gets the bike ready for late-night skirmishes outside the city limits.
Interestingly, DAB Motors and VVT confirm the existence of the futuristic bike beyond the prototype. A limited production run is in the works, and that should excite motorheads and collectors alike. The price should be steep given DAB Motors’ pedigree for premium builds and the Balvin association. We presume, even before than happens, the prototype is destined for a sci-fi movie or series appearance, it is that cool. For us, the DAB Motors and VVT creation is a perfect crossover of art, engineering and design.
The post J Balvin and DAB Motors create Cyberpunk’ish electric bike using AI design tools and 3D printed tech first appeared on Yanko Design.