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New autonomous shuttles comes to Gwinnett city

A year-and-a-half after it was first announced, autonomous shuttles have hit the pavement in Peachtree Corners in Gwinnett County.

The vehicles, called Olli, are manufactured by Arizona-based Local Motors and will operate from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays.

The shuttles have seven regular stops along a 1.5-mile track on Technology Parkway and cover multiple hotels, office space and a brewery.

“I think the significance is not just that it’s fun to have something that your citizens may think is cool. It’s about economic development,” says Mayor Mike Mason.

The new shuttle is part of Peachtree Corners’ Curiosity Lab, described as a “living laboratory” to test self-driving vehicles and other cutting-edge technology.

Mason says it’s just the beginning when it comes to use of autonomous vehicles and hopes to eventually add a leg all the way to the city’s Town Center entertainment district.

“Traffic congestion is not going to be solved by one quick stroke. But if we can do these things, then we can reduce congestion within our city,” he says.

Alejandro Patino was among dozens of residents taking their first ride Tuesday.

“I thought it was fantastic. It’s the wave of the future. Autonomous vehicles (are) clean, efficient, rechargeable and safe,” he tells WSB’s Sandra Parrish.

Peachtree Corners is the 23rd location both nationally and internally chosen by Local Motors to test the vehicles citing among other things the city’s dedicated lane and it’s 5G technology.

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