Amazon-Backed Zoox Launches Custom Robotaxis in Two Major Cities
Zoox is testing its custom-built, steering-wheel-free robotaxis on public roads in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The company currently transports only employees but plans to invite early public riders in 2025.
Zoox is testing its custom-built robotaxis on public roads in San Francisco and the Las Vegas Strip. These autonomous vehicles feature a unique design that completely removes traditional human controls like steering wheels and pedals. This public rollout serves as a major show of force for the Amazon-backed company following an initial announcement at TechCrunch Disrupt.
Federal regulations currently prohibit the commercial use of autonomous vehicles that lack manual driving controls. While companies can apply for exemptions to this rule, Zoox bypasses this process by self-certifying that its vehicles meet National Highway Traffic Safety Administration safety standards. The NHTSA is actively investigating this self-certification claim but declines to comment on the ongoing probe.
For now, Zoox restricts its passenger service exclusively to company employees traveling within specific areas like San Francisco's SoMa neighborhood and the vicinity of the Vegas Strip. The company outlines an expansion strategy for 2025 that includes a "Zoox Explorer" program to begin testing the service with early public riders.