A new way to get around Sacramento State was debuted Thursday with the roll out of Olli, a computer designed, 3-D printed autonomous shuttle. The technology will provide a green mobility option and give students a chance to study the concept up close.
Sac State competed to get Olli on campus. Congresswoman Doris Matsui was among the judges. The self-driving shuttles will be tested over the next three months, taking students, faculty and visitors to various campus locations. "It really is the cutting edge. I mean 3-D printed, right?" said Matsui. "And the fact is that you think about where they can do these things and where they can build these things, it's right here," added the congresswoman.
City officials and members of the Sacramento Area Council of Governments hope the test results in a new manufacturing push for the Sacramento region. The concept touches on two of Mayor Darrel Steinberg's favorite issues, innovation and local manufacturing. "Everything we do has to have a focus on job creation," said Steinberg. "We want to build a modern, inclusive economy but connected to the neighborhoods and especially those young people who too often get left behind."
Sacramento State will have use of two Olli shuttles during the three month test phase but local leaders say they hope it turns into an ongoing project.
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