Webinar Summary Looking at the Future of Mobility and Manufacturing

A webinar conducted by Pamela Gauci, Senior Marketing Manager at Velodyne Lidar, and Vikrant Aggarwal, President of Local Motors, discussed the impact of COVID-19 on the mobility sector and Local Motors’ strategy to reinvent automobile manufacturing.

The episode was part of the digital learning series on “Automation and Safety During COVID-19,” organized by Velodyne.

Local Motors is a ground mobility for service company. Founded in 2007 with a belief in collaboration and co-creation, Local Motors began low volume vehicle manufacturing of open-source designs using multiple micro-factories. Local Motors has developed a self-driving, electric vehicle, called Olli, that can provide slow-speed shuttle services in a variety of settings, including neighborhoods, campuses and more. Olli uses seven Velodyne Puck™ sensors which allow the shuttle to capture a 360-degree view of the vehicle and its surroundings, enabling Olli to perceive and navigate the environment. 

Here are three takeaways from the webinar:

1. COVID-19 is stretching supply chains, forcing companies to rethink their models.

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted supply chains, leading manufacturers to look for new ways of doing business. Vikrant discussed how the Local Motors supply chain provides a model for progressive manufacturers. Olli manufacturing uses 80 percent 3D printed materials, consumes 40 percent less energy to produce, and requires less capital investment and space for production. This approach helps enable Local Motors to localize manufacturing.

2. Manufacturing success is about partnerships.

Vikrant outlined a production model where manufacturers tap multiple companies to bring their expertise to the ecosystem. He said mobility manufacturers need to rely on lidar, 3D printing, wheel, battery pack, software and other companies for manufacturing success. Vikrant added having an open platform allows companies, like Local Motors, to collaborate with some of the best suppliers available to provide end users and operators an optimal solution.

3. COVID-19 is hastening the need for shared mobility as a service.

Vikrant discussed that he sees the coronavirus pandemic accelerating the shared mobility as a service market. He said Local Motors is responding to this opportunity with plans to install cleaning processes and systems in their shuttles to further enhance rider safety and comfort. Vikrant added the ease of localizing Olli manufacturing processes will also be attractive to regions where the pandemic has negatively impacted local economies and employment.

Watch the full webinar below!