Local Motors by LM Industries Group Inc., known for 3D-Printed mobility solutions, has unveiled a global fleet challenge for its driverless shuttle known as Olli. Jay Rogers, CEO and co-founder of Local Motors, announced the start of the challenge while attending ITS World Congress in Copenhagen, Denmark, where Olli is offering rides to attendees and dignitaries throughout the conference.
This first-of-its-kind fleet challenge invites municipalities, campuses and designated districts to propose a short-term, local use for Olli, the world’s first co-created, self-driving electric shuttle. Entries will be evaluated by a panel of esteemed judges before an Olli fleet is deployed to a series of select locations.
“Olli is a transformative transportation option that is already in use, with success, in a number of places, including its most recent introduction at the University at Buffalo,” Rogers said. “As we move forward into new territory with self-driving vehicles, we absolutely appreciate that innovation in general requires opportunity. And a fleet challenge, we believe, could be that opportunity for progress for the locations that are selected.”
The first challenge is open to entries from the greater Sacramento, Calif. area and the greater Phoenix, Ariz. area. Selected locations will each receive a pair of eight-person Olli shuttles before the end of the year. The second fleet challenge will be open to Australia and the Nordics, where Autonomous Mobility is Olli’s exclusive operator and reseller for that region and the Baltic area. Additional challenges will follow in the coming months.
The challenge opens amidst a robust period of activity for Local Motors. The company recently reached an agreement with Goodyear Tire Company to be the exclusive supplier of tires for Olli, and earlier this month offered Olli to provide the first-ever autonomous transportation for attendees at the International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago, Ill.
In early August, Olli was deployed at the University at Buffalo as part of a partnership with the school and the State of New York. The shuttle is being used on campus for mapping, autonomous education and to test potential transportation options.
Olli, which employs a responsive cognitive function, is an environmentally-friendly vehicle designed to change the future of mobility. A safe and efficient shuttle, Olli is a viable and sustainable transportation option for cities, companies, hospitals, campuses, stadiums, entertainment districts and any other location where people need to move from one place to another.
To learn more about the fleet challenge, visit https://localmotors.com.
