Amazon's Zoox expands robotaxi service to Austin and Miami as fleet reaches 100 vehicles

Amazon's Zoox Plans to Expand Robotaxi Rides to Austin, Miami

Ask Mark Gurman Anything About Apple Ask Mark Gurman Anything About Apple Ask Mark Gurman Anything About Apple From its latest devices, to an AI comeback and the future after Tim Cook, join the live conversation on Thursday, March 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. From its latest devices, to an AI comeback and the future after Tim Cook, join the live conversation on Thursday, March 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. From its latest devices, to an AI comeback and the future after Tim Cook, join the live conversation on Thursday, March 26 at 11 a.m. EDT. Click to listen Click to listen Click to listen Click to listen Amazon.com Inc.'s Zoox robotaxi division is bringing its ride-hailing service to more US cities this year and expanding existing operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco. In the coming months, Zoox will start operating driverless vehicles in Austin and Miami, Chief Executive Officer Aicha Evans said in an interview. The expansions will be implemented in the coming months, with Austin deployments by the end of March. When deciding where to expand, Evans said Zoox considers ride-hailing demand, the weather and regulatory climate. "We also look at what we think will be a viable business," she said. In Las Vegas, the company plans to double the number of destinations, including service to the city's airport. Zoox says it will also quadruple its ride-hailing offerings in San Francisco, providing rides in northeastern neighborhoods to begin with and the entire city by year-end. The startup doesn't currently charge fares, but regulators have opened a public comment period that could pave the way for Zoox to do so. More than 500,000 people have signed up to be on the company's waitlist, Zoox said. Foster City, California-based Zoox is one of several technology companies contesting the emerging robotaxi market. Its vehicle, which resembles an airport shuttle, has four inward facing seats and no driver controls. Rival companies typically use retrofitted passengers cars with steering wheels. Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo has fielded the largest commercial service and fleet, charging fares around the clock in 10 US markets, with plans to start service in more than 20 cities this year. In Atlanta and Austin, Waymo offers rides through Uber Technologies Inc.'s app. Initially, the robotaxis in Austin and Miami will offer rides to employees, opening up later to friends and family, before eventually being offered to members of the public. To date, Zoox has operated a limited service through its own app. In Las Vegas, the company ferries passengers around the strip between predetermined locations. The San Francisco service is currently confined to three of the city's southeastern districts. Zoox recently agreed to make its robotaxis available through Uber, starting in Las Vegas this summer and Los Angeles next year. Evans, who is also a member of Amazon's leadership team, said the expansions will bring Zoox's fleet of robotaxis to about 100 vehicles. The company's factory in Fremont is capable of building 10,000 robotaxis per year. "Obviously, we're not going to go to 10,000 overnight," Evans said. "But the ramp is now starting."

Zoox to launch robotaxis in Austin and Miami later this year By Investing.com

Investing.com -- Amazon's self-driving unit Zoox announced Tuesday it will launch its robotaxi service in Austin and Miami later this year, marking the latest expansion for the company. Zoox will deploy its toaster-shaped robotaxis, which have no steering wheel or pedals, for testing in a small area of both cities. Trips will initially be limited to Zoox employees and their family and friends before launching its Explorer program, where the public can join a waitlist to ride in the vehicles. The company began offering free driverless rides last year around the Las Vegas Strip and certain San Francisco neighborhoods. As of late March, Zoox said it had served 350,000 riders and about 500,000 people have joined its waitlist. As part of Tuesday's announcement, Zoox is also expanding its service areas in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The company is currently testing its autonomous technology in 10 U.S. cities. Zoox's robotaxis will soon roam the streets of Atlanta and Los Angeles, CEO Aicha Evans said in an interview. Its modified Toyota Highlanders have been gathering data there since last year. Zoox will have 100 robotaxis on public roads once its service scales in Las Vegas and San Francisco, and it begins testing in Austin and Miami. The company is awaiting approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration to operate as many as 2,500 of its self-driving cars on public roads for commercial purposes. The agency will publish its decision on Zoox's proposal after a 30-day comment period, which began on March 11. Zoox has yet to launch a paid service, though CEO Aicha Evans said the company is ready to start charging fares once it receives regulatory approval. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020. This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.