Even though Google and several automakers see several years of testing before deploying autonomous cars, Local Motors co-founder and chief executive John Rogers said this vehicle is ready to go into service as soon as regulations allow it.
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To be clear, Olli will be using a special version of Watson aimed at automotive applications and it is not fully powering the car’s self-driving features, but rather aimed at “improving the passenger experience”, according to a statement from IBM. The smart 3D-printed electric minibus is designed by Local Motors and powered by IBM Watson. Thus passengers can interact with Olli when you take a ride from point A to point B. Though it is only day one for Olli, the goal would most likely be to replace some of the current public transit options cities have to offer. Also, riders can simply ask the bus to take them somewhere, with Local Motors using the example, “Olli, can you take me downtown?”
Olli learns from data produced by more than 30 sensors embedded throughout the vehicle, which will added and adjusted to meet passenger needs and local preferences.
Rogers said the company has an advantage over other systems because it is building the vehicles from the ground up, and producing most components with 3D printers. The self-driving vehicle can fit up to 12 people and is the first vehicle to use ‘Watson’, IBM’s machine-learning platform to communicate with the passengers. The program will expand to Miami and Las Vegas later this year.
As part of Olli’s debut, Local Motors officially opened its new National Harbor facility in Maryland today to serve as a public place where co-creation can flourish and vehicle technologies can rapidly advance.
National Harbor represents just one of 100 micro-factory facilities Local Motors wants to install around the world. Well, you’re in luck because American can manufacturer Local Motors has teamed up with computing giant IBM to create the Olli, a fleet of driverless buses that will be operating in the Washington DC area.
“National Harbor has a history of attracting unique and experiential shopping, dining and entertainment destinations, so we are an ideal launch pad for Local Motors”, said Jon Peterson, Principal of Peterson Companies, the developer of National Harbor.
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“IBM technology, including IBM Watson or IBM Watson IoT technology, does not control, navigate or drive Olli”.
