Jacksonville Receives Custom Autonomous Vehicle From Beep, Local Motors, and Robotic Research

The Jacksonville Transportation Authority (JTA) welcomed its newest autonomous vehicle into the JTA Test & Learn program with the Olli 2.0 from Beep, Local Motors by LM Industries, and Robotic Research LLC.

The Olli 2.0 was delivered to Jacksonville in late August through a partnership with Beep, a Florida-based autonomous mobility-as-a-service provider, Local Motors by LM Industries, a digital vehicle manufacture, and Robotic Research LLC, a connected, autonomous technology providers.

This is Local Motor’s first electric, autonomous, 3D-printed shuttle to be built in the United States. It will lead the next phase of the JTA’s Test & Learn activities at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Cecil Center Campus and the JTA’s Armsdale Test and Learn facilities.

This is the fifth autonomous vehicle the JTA has tested since it launched its Ultimate Urban Circulator program in 2017. The U2C program will transform and modernize the existing Skyway APM system in Downtown Jacksonville to support autonomous vehicles and related technologies. The multi-phase program includes the full conversion of the existing Skyway infrastructure and neighborhood expansions through ground-level connections, creating a 10-mile urban transit network.

Beep’s long-standing relationship as an autonomous shuttle service provider to the JTA’s Test & Learn program and a recent supplier agreement with Local Motors enabled the integration of the Olli 2.0 with the JTA’s existing Test and Learn program. Beep will ensure the safe and seamless operation of the Olli 2.0 in Jacksonville and, with Robotic Research, will support the team in extending its knowledge of evolving AV technologies.