Amazon's Zoox Begins Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Atlanta, Expands US Robotaxi Program

Amazon-owned Zoox is expanding its autonomous vehicle testing to Atlanta, making it the company's seventh U.S. test market alongside cities like San Francisco, Las Vegas, Miami, and Austin. Zoox's initial focus in Atlanta is on manual mapping and data collection using retrofitted Toyota Highlanders with safety drivers, before progressing to autonomous testing downtown this summer. The company aims to offer public robotaxi rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas by the end of the year, but has not set a timeline for Atlanta's public launch. Zoox's entry into Atlanta comes amid intensified competition, as Waymo—partnering with Uber—will also begin matching Atlanta riders with autonomous vehicles this summer. Atlanta is seen as a strategic market due to its status as a major ride-hailing hub and its diverse urban conditions, welcoming innovation in autonomous vehicle technology. Other companies, including May Mobility and Lyft, are also testing autonomous fleets in the city, underscoring Atlanta's growing role as a center for self-driving vehicle trials.