Amazon's Zoox Unveils Bidirectional Autonomous Robotaxi for Urban Ridesharing
Zoox, the self-driving startup acquired by Amazon, reveals a custom electric robotaxi built specifically for passenger ridesharing without a steering wheel. The unique vehicle features bidirectional driving and targets initial launches in San Francisco and Las Vegas.
Amazon's self-driving subsidiary Zoox unveils a custom-built electric robotaxi designed specifically for ride-hailing in dense urban environments. The carriage-style vehicle seats up to four passengers who face each other, completely eliminating the steering wheel and driver seat. An array of cameras, radar, and lidar sensors on all four corners provides a 270-degree field of view to eliminate typical blind spots.
The robotaxi features unique bidirectional driving capabilities and four-wheel steering, allowing it to change directions without needing to reverse or perform U-turns. It travels up to 75 miles per hour and runs for up to 16 continuous hours on a single battery charge. Safety remains a priority, as the vehicle includes custom airbag systems for all four passenger seats.
Amazon acquires Zoox in June and this unveiling provides the first clear look at how the startup's technology fits into the tech giant's broader logistics and transportation vision. Zoox currently tests the autonomous vehicles in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City. The company plans to launch a dedicated app-based ridesharing service, with San Francisco and Las Vegas serving as its initial target markets.