As its business continues to expand, luxury car maker Lamborghini has entered the realm of unforgeable tokens (NFTs). The company has unveiled a space-themed artwork dubbed the Lamborghini Space Key.
The exclusive artwork, which was created as part of a joint research project, is centred on 3D-printed carbon fibre blocks that Lamborghini sent to the International Space Station (ISS) back in 2019. Since returning to Earth, the material has served as the basis for the space key, linked to an exclusive, digital-only artwork created by an unnamed artist.
Lamborghini has only built five space keys, each linked to an exclusive space-themed NFT, which will be officially unveiled and auctioned in the coming weeks.
"Innovation is an ingrained part of the Lamborghini DNA," said Stephan Winkelmann, Chairman and CEO of Lamborghini Motors. As a leader in carbon fiber composites for the automotive industry, we pushed the boundaries two and a half years ago with our Joint Space research program. Now, entering the metaverse is proof that Lamborghini has been setting sail for new horizons. The world of NFT has been calling us, and we are excited to partner with this passionate and innovative community. "
Lamborghini Space Key. Image from Lamborghini
3D printing technology in Lamborghini
Lamborghini has been using 3D printing for commercial use in its supercars for some time, using Stratasys' FDM technology to produce terminal parts for some of its non-critical components.
The company then signed an agreement with 3D printer OEM Carbon in 2019 to 3D print parts for its Urus super SUV model, namely textured fuel cap and air tube clamp parts. Later that year, Lamborghini and Carbon expanded their partnership to 3D-print center and side dashboard air vents for the automaker's first hybrid powertrain production vehicle, the Sian FKP37.
In the midst of the pandemic, Lamborghini has also played a role in fighting the COVID-19 outbreak in Italy by reusing its in-house 3D printing facilities to make medical devices, such as lung simulators.
On the back of the space key is a QR code connected to the digital artwork NFT. Image from Lamborghini.
Enter the Metaverse
In its latest 3D-printing-related project, Lamborghini has entered the NFT space by creating an exclusive, purely digital space-themed artwork.
NFTS are unique identifiers recorded on a distributed blockchain ledger, linked to digital assets such as pictures, videos or music. Each NFT token is completely unique, so owners can guarantee the authenticity, rarity, and traceability of their assets.
Backed by white-label NFT specialists NFTPro, Lamborghini will officially reveal the nature of its first NFT, as well as the name of the artist, in the coming weeks. The date and time of the auction, as well as the auction house and registration, will also be revealed in due course.
The space 3D-printed carbon fiber works that make up the physical elements of the "Space Key" have a QR code associated with the digital artwork on the back. After being tested on the International Space Station and fulfilling its research purpose, the carbon fiber was flown back to Earth and became the physical backbone of Lamborghini's first-ever NFT project. Only five space keys have been created as part of the project, each linked to an exclusive artwork whose author has yet to be announced.
"I've always been curious about blockchain and all the possibilities this technology offers," Tim Bravo, head of public relations at Lamborghini, said in a LinkedIn post. Indeed, cryptocurrencies and unforgeable tokens are by far the most popular, and perhaps the least visible, applications of blockchain. However, I believe their popularity has opened the door to all those non-speculative, sophisticated applications that will help improve our lives and even our society.
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