Amazon Enters Robotaxi Market with Free Rides from Zoox in Las Vegas
Amazon.com Inc. has launched its long-awaited robotaxi service, Zoox, in Las Vegas, five years after acquiring the autonomous vehicle startup for $1.2 billion. The service, available through the Zoox app on both Android and iOS, currently offers complimentary rides exclusive to the Las Vegas Strip, targeting select resort and entertainment locations.
This free trial aims to familiarize users with the Zoox experience and gather valuable feedback before a broader rollout. Unlike competitors such as Waymo, which retrofits existing vehicles, Zoox brings an innovative twist with its “purpose-built autonomous pod.” Each of these fully electric vehicles spans approximately 3.6 meters (11.8 feet) and features a distinctive carriage-style design.
The pods are uniquely crafted with two facing bench seats, eliminating the need for a driver’s seat, steering wheel, or pedals. This interior design prioritizes passenger comfort and safety while enhancing autonomous capabilities.
Zoox employs cutting-edge technology, including lidar, radar, high-resolution cameras, and infrared sensors, to create a comprehensive 270-degree view around each pod. This advanced sensor array effectively reduces blind spots and ensures safe navigation in varied conditions, including low light and inclement weather.
Additionally, the pod’s bidirectional functionality allows it to move forward and backward without needing to turn around, streamlining its operation in urban settings.
“Eleven years ago, we began a journey to fundamentally rethink transportation,” stated Jesse Levinson, co-founder and CEO of Zoox. “The vision of Zoox has gone beyond making a car drive itself; it’s about creating an entirely new transport system.”
Looking ahead, Zoox is on a waitlist for San Francisco operation approval and plans to extend its services to other cities in the future.
