Focus Project ETH Zürich
NatureDrive
2025–2026 Project
A sustainable, load-bearing wooden car body engineered for mass production / built for our future.
Prototype 2
A sustainable, load-bearing wooden car body engineered for mass production / built for our future.
NatureDrive investigates the structural potential of engineered wood as a primary load-bearing material for automotive bodies. Our goal is to demonstrate that wood-based composites can meet automotive safety and production standards while reducing embodied carbon.
Working across CAD, FEA simulation, and material testing, our team integrates subframe components and body panels into two working prototypes. Precision engineering is merged with ecological intent.
| Institution | ETH Zürich, Department of Mechanical Engineering |
| Duration | September 2025 – May 2026 |
| Primary Material | Balsa Sandwich Panels, Engineered Wood Composites |
| Simulation | Finite Element Analysis (FEA) |
| Disciplines | Structural Engineering · Material Science · CAD/CAM · Sustainability |
| Output | Two Full-Scale Prototypes |
Each component is validated through finite element analysis before fabrication. The integration subteam coordinates CAD workflows, while our manufacturing process utilizes precision CNC milling to achieve the exact tolerances required for automotive-grade joints and panels.
NatureDrive is supported by leading industry partners committed to sustainable innovation.
