About
Local Motors was a Phoenix, Arizona-based automobile manufacturing company founded in 2007 by John B. Rogers Jr. It pioneered three transformative innovations in transportation: open-source co-creation design, rapid 3D-printed vehicle manufacturing, and AI-driven autonomous transit. Operating through agile 'microfactories,' Local Motors could develop and deliver a customized vehicle in weeks rather than the years typical of legacy automakers. Their most notable AI-focused product was Olli — an autonomous, electric-powered, partially 3D-printed shuttle unveiled in 2016. Olli 1.0 was designed for campuses, hospitals, and universities, running up to 60 miles per charge. The upgraded Olli 2.0 (2019) was 80% 3D-printed, offered 100 miles of range, and a top speed of 25 mph. Beyond Olli, Local Motors produced the world's first 3D-printed electric car (Strati, 2014) and the LM3D Swim (2015), which incorporated IBM IoT connectivity. Their Rally Fighter (2009) was among the first vehicles developed via global community co-creation. Local Motors attracted interest from enterprises, transit authorities, and research institutions seeking autonomous last-mile mobility solutions. The company leveraged an open-source design community and AI-enabled self-driving technology to redefine urban transit. It permanently closed operations on January 14, 2022.
Key Features
- Olli Autonomous Electric Shuttle: AI-powered, partly 3D-printed self-driving shuttle designed for low-speed environments like campuses, hospitals, and universities, with up to 100 miles of range.
- Microfactory Rapid Production: Agile manufacturing facilities enabling customized vehicle production in weeks rather than months or years, far outpacing traditional automotive timelines.
- Open-Source Co-Creation Design: Community-driven design platform that drew contributions from a global network of designers and engineers to develop vehicles collaboratively.
- 3D-Printed Vehicle Manufacturing: Industry-leading expertise in printing car bodies and components, including the world's first 3D-printed electric car (Strati) and the 80% 3D-printed Olli 2.0.
- IoT & AI Integration: Vehicles incorporated IBM IoT connectivity and self-driving AI systems, enabling smart, connected autonomous transit solutions.
Use Cases
- Autonomous last-mile transit on university campuses and corporate parks using the Olli self-driving shuttle
- Hospital and healthcare facility patient transport with AI-driven electric autonomous vehicles
- Smart city pilot programs testing self-driving electric transit in controlled low-speed urban zones
- Open-source collaborative vehicle design for automotive researchers, engineers, and designers worldwide
- Rapid prototyping and customized vehicle manufacturing via 3D printing and microfactory production models
Pros
- Groundbreaking Autonomous Technology: Olli was one of the earliest commercially deployed AI-driven autonomous shuttles, offering a viable self-driving solution for controlled low-speed environments.
- Rapid, Flexible Manufacturing: Microfactories and 3D printing enabled unprecedented speed and customization in vehicle production compared to traditional automotive manufacturers.
- Open-Source Community Model: Open design philosophy democratized vehicle innovation, allowing global contributors to shape products and accelerating development cycles.
Cons
- Company No Longer Operational: Local Motors permanently ceased operations in January 2022, meaning no new deployments, updates, or customer support are available.
- Limited Speed and Scale: Olli's 25 mph top speed and campus-focused design restricted use cases to low-speed, controlled environments rather than open public roads.
- Niche Market Fit: The technology was specialized for specific transit contexts (campuses, hospitals), limiting broader commercial adoption before the company closed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Local Motors best known for?
Local Motors was best known for three innovations: open-source co-creation vehicle design, 3D-printed car manufacturing (including the world's first 3D-printed electric car, the Strati), and the Olli autonomous electric shuttle powered by AI self-driving technology.
What was the Olli shuttle?
Olli was an autonomous, electric-powered, and partly 3D-printed shuttle designed for low-speed environments such as campuses, hospitals, and universities. Olli 1.0 (2016) offered 60 miles of range, while Olli 2.0 (2019) was 80% 3D-printed and offered 100 miles of range at up to 25 mph.
Is Local Motors still operating?
No. Local Motors permanently ceased operations on January 14, 2022, as announced by former employees on LinkedIn. The company is no longer accepting orders or providing services.
What made Local Motors' manufacturing approach unique?
Local Motors used 'microfactories' — small, flexible production facilities that could manufacture customized vehicles in weeks. Combined with 3D printing, this was far faster than traditional automotive production, which can take years to develop a new model.
Where was the Olli shuttle deployed?
Olli was deployed in controlled low-speed environments including university campuses, hospitals, and urban transit pilot programs. It was designed for environments where a top speed of 25 mph and short-range autonomous operation were appropriate.
