Zoox Expands Robotaxi Testing in San Francisco

Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, has begun testing its unique, purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco, specifically in the SoMa neighborhood, following successful tests in Foster City and Las Vegas. Unlike traditional vehicles, Zoox's autonomous taxis have no steering wheels or driver's seats, featuring a cabin with two bench seats facing each other, designed to enhance social interaction during rides. While the vehicles currently operate with Zoox employees as passengers, the company plans to expand testing to additional neighborhoods and eventually offer rides to the public next year. This marks Zoox's entry into a market already featuring competitors like Waymo, which uses modified Jaguar I-Pace SUVs for its autonomous services. Zoox's robotaxis have been in development since 2017 and have passed critical safety validations, allowing the company to expand its geofencing and testing operations further. The company aims to make public rides in its Las Vegas operations available by 2025.