Robotic 3D printing builds 6-meter open-water catamaran in one piece

V2 Group (Spain) and Caracol AM (Italy) have collaboratively developed the first functional 6-meter-long monolithic catamaran for open-water use, fabricated entirely through robotic large-format 3D printing. Unlike traditional boatbuilding, which relies on molds and extensive manual labor, this project produced the hull as a single-piece structure, minimizing joints and assembly steps to enhance structural integrity and streamline production. The initiative focused not only on creating a prototype but also on analyzing the full naval-grade manufacturing workflow—including design, material selection, printing optimization, post-processing, and testing—with scalability, sustainability, and economic efficiency as core objectives. The catamaran was engineered to meet real marine conditions, emphasizing buoyancy, rigidity, and durability, marking a significant step toward industrial-scale additive manufacturing in the nautical sector. The use of robotic extrusion systems allows for highly customizable designs, efficient material use, and reduced environmental impact compared to conventional composite methods. This digital-first approach enables rapid design iterations without new tooling,