Blue Peter visit the Lazerian studio

For an upcoming episode of the popular children’s television program Blue Peter, the show’s team and presenters made a visit to the Lazerian workshop in Manchester to feature a unique project: the ewaste race car. This car, constructed entirely from discarded electronic waste, represents an innovative approach to sustainability and technology. During the visit, the Blue Peter team interviewed Art Hopkins, son of Liam Hopkins, the creative head of Lazerian, to gain a youthful insight into the concept and motivation behind this eco-conscious creation.

The E-Waste Race Car: A Sustainable Innovation

The central focus of the Blue Peter feature was the E-Waste Race Car, a groundbreaking vehicle that stands out for its unconventional construction. Instead of using new materials, the car is built entirely from electronic waste, offering a compelling example of recycling and resourcefulness in the automotive industry. It serves as a powerful symbol of sustainability and responsible consumption, offering a unique perspective on repurposing electronic components.

Formula E World Championship Finale: A Triumph for Envision Racing

In addition to their visit to the Lazerian workshop, the Blue Peter team attended the Formula E World Championship finals, where Envision Racing, the commissioning entity behind the E-Waste Race Car, emerged as the victors. This connection between Envision Racing and the sustainable ethos of the E-Waste Race Car underscores the relevance of green technology in the world of competitive racing.

Abby Cook’s Test Drive

Blue Peter presenter, Abby Cook, had the opportunity to test drive the E-Waste Race Car on the track at the London e prix Formula E World Championship. This hands-on experience allowed her to witness the vehicle’s performance and feel its unique blend of speed and sustainability. Her test drive served as a symbol of the ongoing effort to harmonize technology with environmental responsibility.

The Blue Peter visit to the Lazerian workshop provided a platform to spotlight the innovative use of electronic waste in the creation of the E-Waste Race Car. As the airing date approaches, viewers can look forward to an informative exploration of this pioneering project. The E-Waste Race Car and the Formula E World Championship race competition win demonstrate the potential for innovation and sustainability to coexist in the automotive industry. Join us on Blue Peter on October 6th to celebrate a step forward in the pursuit of a greener, more responsible future.

What is the Recover E e-waste race car?

Commissioned with a clear and visionary mission, this project sought to birth a fully operational replica Gen 3 racing car from the ashes of discarded electronic waste, a concept that marries innovation and sustainability in a profound way.

The challenge was elegantly straightforward yet incredibly impactful: construct an electric race car using exclusively e-waste, rescuing these materials from an ignominious end in landfills. The partnership between Lazerian and Envision Racing epitomized a steadfast commitment to sustainable practices, giving birth to an unparalleled endeavor that pushes the boundaries of innovation and environmental consciousness.

Fueled by a collective ardor for sustainability and technological progress, the Lazerian team, spearheaded by creative visionary Liam Hopkins, embarked on a journey that defied conventional norms. Abandoning the traditional materials employed in the automotive industry, they harnessed the latent potential within discarded electronics to craft a fully functional Gen 3 race car—a testament to human ingenuity and adaptability. This mobile manifestation of electronic waste made its debut at the London e-prix.

Environmental art with an important message

The e-waste car, an exact replica of its racing counterpart, transcends the realm of mere projects. It stands as a profound statement challenging our preconceived notions and reshaping our understanding of what becomes achievable when innovation embraces sustainability. This transformative initiative urges us to envision a future where discarded electronic waste finds a renewed purpose at the forefront of cutting-edge mobility. In tandem with Envision Racing, Lazerian has been at the forefront of other sustainable initiatives, including the creation of a plastic race car replica and the launch of a global competition to engage young minds in the battle against electronic waste.

Born from Discarded Electronics the journey commenced with a call to action, encouraging individuals and businesses to contribute their electronic waste—a treasure trove of old smartphones, laptops, tablets, gaming consoles, and an array of electronic relics, each with its own unique narrative. These once-prized possessions had outlived their original utility, unaware that their next chapter would be a thrilling one.

Generous donations from Music Magpie, including mobile phones, and the Manchester University Society UOMSEI, were gratefully received, playing a pivotal role in the realization of the e-waste race car.

Within the workshop, each piece of donated e-waste was meticulously disassembled, unveiling the intricate world of microchips, circuitry, and wires hidden within. With every electronic device taken apart, the potential and beauty concealed beneath the surface came to light. The vision was to capture this essence and breathe new life into it through the creation of a formidable race car.

From the disarray of disassembled electronic artifacts arose the very foundation of their creation—the chassis. The team fastidiously selected and melded together the metal frames of laptops, tablets, and gaming consoles to construct the robust framework of the e-waste race car. These individual components, once scattered, now stood united, symbolizing the harmonious union of technology and sustainability. The design philosophy behind this electronic waste racing car revolves around narrating the captivating story of disassembling electronic devices to reveal their inner workings, components, materials, and inherent beauty. The racing car vehicle aims to convey a sense of velocity, as though it’s peeling away the layers of electronic goods to unveil the hidden treasures beneath. This journey is represented from the front to the rear of the car, symbolizing the process of exploration and revelation.

At the racing car front, the design ingeniously incorporates the outer casings of electronic devices. The front spoiler, ingeniously crafted from phones, emits a guiding light for the vehicle. As one moves along the contours of the car, laptops, and tablets shape the nose, inviting exploration into the concealed underbelly of these devices, typically unseen. This exposes the intricate structures and textures within.