Local Motors Shuts Down - Olli Autonomous Shuttle Maker

Local Motors to Cease Operations

Local Motors, renowned for developing the crowdsourced Olli autonomous shuttle and the Rally Fighter, is reportedly ending its operations this Friday. This information stems from multiple posts shared by employees on LinkedIn.

An official announcement from the company is still pending; however, a significant number of employees have already begun seeking alternative employment opportunities.

Employee Reactions to the Shutdown

Chris Stoner, previously the VP of Sales and Customer Success, expressed his disappointment. He stated that Local Motors would no longer be in operation after January 14th.

Despite a short tenure, Stoner valued his time with the company and the connections he made. He believes the autonomous vehicle market holds substantial promise and is confident in the future of vehicles like Olli.

Jeff Hollowell, former VP of Information Technology, reflected on his experience, describing it as exciting, challenging, and educational.

Hollowell emphasized the team’s accomplishments in building something considered impossible and expressed gratitude to colleagues and partners.

About the Olli Shuttle

Olli, the company’s signature shuttle, is characterized by its rectangular shape, large windows, and rounded frame.

It was specifically designed for use in controlled environments, such as campuses, hospitals, military installations, and universities.

Olli's Development and Pilot Programs

The initial version of the shuttle was unveiled in 2016 in National Harbor, Maryland, within a mixed-use development.

Olli 2.0, a next-generation, 3D-printed, all-electric self-driving shuttle, was slated to begin a pilot program in Toronto last spring.

The pilot aimed to transport passengers between West Rouge and Rouge Hill GO station, facilitating connections to the area’s light rail network.

However, updates regarding this pilot program have been scarce since an announcement in October 2020.

Recent Leadership Changes

The closure follows a recent change in leadership, with Vikrant Aggarwal assuming the role of CEO a few months prior.

Aggarwal had previously served as president and chief operating officer, and the transition coincided with plans for global production scaling.

Former CEO Jay Rogers moved into an advisory position on the company’s board.