Zoox Begins Testing Purpose-Built Robotaxis in San Francisco
Zoox officially starts testing its unique, purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco, marking its second commercial market. Employee-only testing begins in the SoMa neighborhood as the company expands beyond its existing Las Vegas operations.
Zoox officially begins testing its unique, purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco, marking its second commercial market. Unlike competitors that convert existing electric vehicles, Zoox designs bespoke vehicles entirely without steering wheels or pedals. The company confirms that its autonomous fleet passes all necessary safety measures to start official driverless testing on the city's streets.
Initial testing in San Francisco remains exclusive to Zoox employees for validation purposes, focusing specifically on the SoMa neighborhood. This careful rollout mirrors the company's earlier approach in Foster City, California, where it achieved the first public road rides for a purpose-built autonomous vehicle without manual controls. Zoox has actually tested with human drivers in San Francisco since 2017, but this step represents a major leap toward full autonomy.
This expansion comes as Zoox simultaneously grows its presence in Las Vegas, where it now operates on a five-mile route stretching from its headquarters to the south end of the Strip at speeds up to 45 mph. The bi-directional robotaxis carry up to four passengers and boast a top design speed of 75 mph. As Zoox validates its technology with employees in San Francisco, it plans to expand to offer driverless rides to local residents in the coming months.