Zoox Launches Free Driverless Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas
- tech360.tv
- 9 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Amazon's Zoox launched its robotaxi service in Las Vegas on Wednesday, offering free rides through parts of the entertainment city. The driverless vehicles operate without a steering wheel, reflecting Zoox’s confidence in their safety after two years of local testing.
Initially available to employees, the service gradually expanded to friends and family. Now, anyone with the Zoox app can request a ride to five designated locations, including Resorts World, the Luxor hotel, and the New York-New York hotel.
These robotaxis will travel up to 4.8 kilometres, carrying a maximum of four passengers. All rides will be provided free for at least the first few months to promote the service in the popular travel destination.
Once charging begins in Las Vegas, Zoox states its prices will be comparable to traditional taxis and ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft. This initial period of free rides is supported by Amazon's substantial financial backing.
Amazon, the e-commerce powerhouse, acquired Zoox for $1.2 billion five years ago. This acquisition was part of Amazon’s efforts to establish a foothold in other technology fields.
The Las Vegas market represents Zoox's initial move to compete with robotaxi leader Waymo, a Google spin-off. Waymo already provides driverless rides in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas.
In Austin, Tesla is also in the testing phase of a robotaxi service, which its chief executive, Elon Musk, has promoted for the past decade. Unlike Waymo, which implants its driverless technology in vehicles built by traditional automakers, Zoox manufactures its distinctively designed robotaxis.
Production occurs at a former bus factory located in Hayward, California, about 40 kilometres southeast of San Francisco. Reflecting its ambitions, Zoox hopes to manufacture as many as 10,000 robotaxis annually as it expands into other markets.
The company is currently testing its vehicles in San Francisco and aims to open its service to all passengers next year. Some San Francisco passengers who signed up for Zoox’s testing programme are expected to begin receiving driverless rides before the end of this year.
Zoox currently operates about 50 vehicles in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with most of these vehicles presently located in Nevada. After it begins charging for rides in San Francisco, Zoox hopes to expand its service to Austin and Miami next.
Amazon's Zoox has launched its free driverless robotaxi service in Las Vegas after two years of testing.
The service offers rides to specific locations for up to four passengers over a maximum of 4.8 kilometres.
Zoox manufactures its distinct robotaxis and plans to expand its service to San Francisco, Austin, and Miami.
Source: AP NEWS