The US manufacturer of autonomous e-shuttles, Local Motors, offers test drives for interested communities in the US.
In Europe, the manufacturer of autonomous e-shuttles is no longer represented, there was even a cooperation with the German train or with SBB, So shuttles from Local Motors also drove through Berlin or through Bad Birnbachwhere you meanwhile use two such shuttles from other manufacturers. Meanwhile, Local Motors relies more on companies such as Autonomous mobility,
Olli Autonomous Shuttle
The retreat may have to do with the high level of competition that is steadily growing. The two main players in this area are the companies EasyMile and Navya, Even Bosch has one now similar concept in the drawer.
Local Motors now offers a competition called its vehicles Olli on. Olli can carry up to eight people and drives at a speed of up to 25 km / h. So far, the use of campus and other closed areas is limited.
That should change and so can cities, communities, businesses or other organization in the District of Columbia (D.C.), So the Greater Washingtonto apply for the provision of a test fleet. If selected, Local Motors will provide the vehicles for three months. The application can be submitted until 6 February 2019 and on 19 March 2019 the winners will be announced.
But there are also conditions for participation in the raffle. For example, future partners must have links with local authorities. Because you need for the use of a license to operate the vehicles. In addition, the use of the vehicles is also associated with costs that you have to sometimes wear yourself.
The concept of the competition has, despite the limitations, already led to a lively interest. There should even have been an application from the White House.
source (English)
About David Flora
I’ve been writing about the topic of Autonomous & Connected Driving since 2011 and also talk about it on other sites like the Smart Mobility Hub. I studied social sciences at the HU Berlin and since 2012 I am a freelance journalist. Contact: mail@autonomes-fahren.de