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Jun 72 min read

Zoox Expands Autonomous Vehicle Testing to Austin and Miami Amidst NHTSA Investigation

Amazon's robotaxi unit Zoox to begin testing in Austin, Miami. Zoox to deploy retrofitted Toyota Highlanders with human safety drivers in small areas near business and entertainment districts. Expansion to Austin and Miami marks Zoox's first trial sites outside of the western United States.

Zoox, a self-driving vehicle owned by Amazon

This represents the company's first trial sites outside of the western United States. Zoox plans to deploy a fleet of converted Toyota Highlanders with human safety drivers in small regions around each cities' commercial and entertainment zones.


Zoox has been testing its self-designed autonomous vehicles in California and Nevada, which are equipped with no steering wheels or pedals and can seat four people, two of whom face each other. However, the company's recent revelation coincides with a current investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of 500 Zoox vehicles outfitted with autonomous driving systems after two crashes.


Zoox will add Austin and Miami as its fourth and fifth public testing areas, following San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Seattle. While Zoox will not be giving public rides in Austin or Miami at this time, the firm is actively exploring numerous cities for prospective commercial services following its initial launch in its target markets of Las Vegas and San Francisco.


Zoox is not the only self-driving robotaxi business under investigation by the NHTSA. General Motors' Cruise and Alphabet's Waymo have both been involved in examinations into the performance of self-driving automobiles. Cruise recently stated that it has started operations in Dallas, Texas, using a small fleet of human drivers, following a temporary halt due to an incident involving one of its robotaxis in San Francisco in October last year.

 

  • Amazon's robotaxi unit Zoox to begin testing in Austin, Miami

  • Zoox to deploy retrofitted Toyota Highlanders with human safety drivers in small areas near business and entertainment districts

  • Expansion to Austin and Miami marks Zoox's first trial sites outside of the western United States


Source: REUTERS

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