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Local Motors debuts autonomous shuttle on California campus

Sacramento State competed in and won an Olli fleet challenge for presenting a best-use scenario for the eight-person vehicle.

March 4, 2019
Local Motors debuts autonomous shuttle on California campus

Sacramento State will have use of two Olli shuttles, which are the first co-created, self-driving, electric vehicles designed to transport small groups at low speeds. Photo: Local Motors

2 min to read


Sacramento State will have use of two Olli shuttles, which are the first co-created, self-driving, electric vehicles designed to transport small groups at low speeds. Photo: Local Motors

Local Motors introduced its self-driving shuttle known as Olli to the California-based campus of Sacramento State. The arrival of the autonomous shuttle on campus is the result of Sacramento State competing in and winning an Olli fleet challenge for presenting a best-use scenario for the eight-person vehicle.

Sacramento State will have use of two Olli shuttles, which are the first co-created, self-driving, electric vehicles designed to transport small groups at low speeds. The shuttle is equipped with cognitive response technology, utilizes sensors and cameras throughout the vehicle, and relies on a first-of-its-kind obstacle-avoidance system.

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Sacramento State’s entry, developed in cooperation with the Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG), was selected by a panel of judges as the most viable among the field of entries due in part to its proposed use and the population of riders it will serve.

Local Motors officials, in cooperation with Sacramento State, have mapped a route that the Olli shuttles will use for the next few months.

While the Olli shuttles will be on campus at Sacramento State, they will be available for use by members of the public who want to give the autonomous vehicle a try.

The Olli shuttle deployment at the university comes as Local Motors prepares to award a deployment for its second fleet challenge, this time in the Washington, D.C. area, and begins receiving applications for its first international fleet challenge, which is open to all of Australia. Additional fleet challenges will be announced in the coming months.


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