Local Motors' self-driving shuttle makes University at Buffalo debut

Local Motors by LM Industries, known for 3D-Printed mobility solutions, announced the deployment and launch of operations of Olli at the University at Buffalo (UB). Olli is the world’s first co-created, self-driving, electric vehicle, designed to reinvent the future of urban mobility and sustainability.

Ultimately, UB researchers will use Olli — as well as other vehicles and simulators — to conduct comprehensive testing of autonomous and connected vehicles. The goal is to inform decisions regarding policy, safety, reliability and other future transportation issues. UB has no current plans to transport students in the shuttle; however, researchers will examine the feasibility and benefits of doing so on UB campuses, including the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus.

The project, which is being co-managed by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority and the New York State Department of Transportation, supports Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s clean energy goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2030.

“We’re excited to have the Olli shuttle on campus, advancing the state as a leader in driverless technology while expanding our knowledge of human-automation interaction, critical to understanding artificial intelligence and machine learning” said University at Buffalo VP for Research and Economic Development Venu Govindaraju.

Created in 2016 by LM Industries’ subsidiary, Local Motors, Olli is a 3D-printed, self-driving, smart shuttle, built to change the future of mobility. Olli autonomously drives passengers to their desired destination, providing a safe, efficient, customizable, and environmentally-friendly transportation option for cities, companies, hospitals, stadiums and anywhere else around the world where people need to move.