Olli minibus integrates the automatic steering technology and artificial intelligence


Olli minibus

When automotive manufacturers are competing to develop electric technology and automatic steering cars, a minibus named Olli has started crossing the public streets in Washington D.C. by itself and without producing carbon emissions. Not only that, Olli is ready to serve passengers as friendly as possible.

Olli is designed and made by a manufacturer named Local Motors. Just for information, Local Motors got a highlight two years ago when it introduced the world's first 3D printed car. Olli cabin could accommodate up to 12 passengers. The automatic steering system is designed entirely by Local Motors, and at the same time Local Motors also embeds artificial intelligence systems (AI) IBM Watson, making it capable of interacting with passengers naturally like a real driver.

Thanks to Watson, Olli can understand the questions and passengers' requests, for example when a passenger wants be delivered to a specific location, or when passenger asks about how Olli works - Watson can access data that has been collected by about 30 external sensors of Olli.

Watson's presence also allows Olli to perform duties as a tour guide; it will deliver information about popular restaurants and historic sites based on the tastes of each passenger. A driver with tour guide capability is an interesting combination.

In the next few months, Olli will be tested on public roads of Washington D.C. before being brought to Miami and Las Vegas at the end of the year. Local Motors also has a vision to bring Olli outside the United States by building small factories in various regions that can print and assemble the Olli's unit within only 10 hours.