Local Motors to Offer Rides in Self-Driving Shuttle Bus at IMTS

Phoenix-based Local Motors Inc. plans to showcase its 3-D-printed, self-driving electric shuttle bus at next month’s International Manufacturing Technology Show (IMTS) in Chicago. Attendees will be able to take test rides in the vehicle, which is dubbed “Olli,” on a special track set up at the show.

The prototype vehicle, which can carry 12 people, uses more than 30 sensors to monitor its surroundings. Data is analyzed by IBM Corp.’s Watson Internet of Things for Automotive cloud-based computing technology. The system also enables passengers to converse with the vehicle.

The 3,300-lb vehicle is powered by a 30-kW electric motor. It can reach a speed of 25 mph but will be limited to 5 mph at IMTS. The shuttle has a driving range of 32 miles.

Local Motors plans to test Olli buses on pre-set routes in Denmark, Las Vegas, Miami and Washington, D.C., this year. During testing, an on-board conductor will monitor the vehicle and can take control if necessary.

Local Motors uses crowd-sourcing to help design its vehicles and produces them at small micro-factories across the U.S. The company demonstrated the technology by building copies of its 3-D-printed Strati car at several industry events, including IMTS in 2014 and last year’s Detroit auto show.