Zoox produces its robotaxis fully in-house at its {custom} serial manufacturing facility. | Supply: Zoox
Amazon subsidiary Zoox right this moment launched its robotaxi service to the general public on and across the Las Vegas Strip. Rides are free and accessible via the Zoox app, which could be downloaded on each iOS and Android gadgets, the corporate mentioned.
Zoox has spent greater than a decade growing and rolling out its custom-built robotaxis. The corporate’s distinctive automobile doesn’t have a driver’s seat, steering wheel, or brake pedals. As an alternative, the inside of the automobile options rows of seating that face one another, permitting riders to higher join throughout rides. Zoox mentioned it will probably produce as much as 10,000 of those automobiles a yr in its manufacturing facility.
“The autonomous automobile business has made outstanding strides this yr, bringing us nearer to a way forward for safer, extra accessible mobility. With the launch of our absolutely driverless ride-hailing service utilizing a purposefully designed robotaxi, we’re thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking journey,” mentioned Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox. “Las Vegas is a metropolis well-known for unforgettable moments, and it’s the excellent location for our debut. Zoox is about remodeling the complete ride-hailing expertise, making each trip a pleasant expertise.”
The Foster Metropolis, Calif.-based firm can be testing its purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco and Foster Metropolis. Throughout the testing part, its automobiles are open to Zoox workers so the corporate can refine the using expertise. It has additional plans to check in Austin and Miami within the coming years.
Mike Oitzman, senior editor of The Robotic Report, took a trip in a Zoox robotaxi across the Las Vegas Strip throughout CES 2025. You’ll be able to watch the trip under.
How will the service work?
Zoox mentioned Las Vegas makes an excellent location for its service launch. The town welcomes over 40 million guests yearly, who will now have the chance to discover the strip in a Zoox automobile.
After downloading the Zoox app, riders can choose from a number of locations, reminiscent of Resorts World Las Vegas, AREA15, Topgolf, and different resort and leisure properties. The corporate plans so as to add extra locations all through the approaching months because it expands its service.
Pickups and drop-offs will occur at every vacation spot’s ride-hail zone. At some locations, like Resorts World Las Vegas and AREA15, the corporate has arrange devoted areas designed for Zoox riders. At these areas, an on-site Zoox Concierge will probably be there to welcome riders, stroll them via the app, and reply questions.
To assist riders determine their robotaxi, the automobile’s license plate quantity will probably be displayed within the app. The app may even embrace estimated pickup occasions, real-time arrival updates, and post-ride summaries with suggestions choices.
To start out, the service is free for all riders. The corporate mentioned it will assist riders develop into extra acquainted with Zoox, its service, and share suggestions earlier than Zoox begins to scale. Zoox mentioned it plans to introduce paid rides when it secures the mandatory regulatory approval.
How does Zoox examine to different robotaxi builders?
Zoox stands out for its distinctive robotaxi design, but it surely isn’t the one firm operating robotaxis companies within the U.S. Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary, is a transparent chief within the house. In July 2025, the corporate introduced it had surpassed 100 million absolutely autonomous miles and not using a human driver behind the wheel. The Robotic Report named Waymo its 2025 Robotic of the 12 months.
The firm is now driving greater than 2 million absolutely autonomous miles and offering over 1 / 4 million rides per week, it mentioned. It has served greater than 10 million absolutely autonomous journeys so far. Waymo presently operates companies in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin.
Nuro, a Mountain View, Calif.-based developer, has additionally been working to commercialize robotaxi companies. The corporate is taking a multi-pronged strategy to autonomous driving. Along with robotaxi companies, It licenses its autonomous driving system to automotive producers and mobility suppliers.
Tesla has additionally just lately entered the robotaxi house. In June 2025, Tesla formally launched its first robotaxi service in Austin to a choose group of traders and influencers.
