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Zoox Plans to Expand Robotaxi Rides to Austin, Miami
Amazon-Backed Company Also Will Widen San Francisco, Las Vegas Service
Amazon.com Inc.’s Zoox robotaxi division is bringing its ride-hailing service to more U.S. cities this year and expanding existing operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco.
In the coming months, Zoox will start operating driverless vehicles in Austin and Miami, CEO Aicha Evans said in an interview. The expansions will be implemented in the coming months, with Austin deployments by the end of March.
When deciding where to expand, Evans said Zoox considers ride-hailing demand, the weather and regulatory climate. “We also look at what we think will be a viable business,” she said.
In Las Vegas, the company plans to double the number of destinations, including service to the city’s airport. Zoox says it will also quadruple its ride-hailing offerings in San Francisco, providing rides in northeastern neighborhoods to begin with and the entire city by year-end.
The startup doesn’t currently charge fares, but regulators have opened a public comment period that could pave the way for Zoox to do so. More than 500,000 people have signed up to be on the company’s waitlist, Zoox said.
Foster City, Calif.-based Zoox is one of several technology companies contesting the emerging robotaxi market. Its vehicle, which resembles an airport shuttle, has four inward facing seats and no driver controls. Rival companies typically use retrofitted passengers cars with steering wheels.
Zoox is scaling! Here's a sneak peek of what’s ahead:
📍Service area expansion across Las Vegas (including ) and San Francisco
🤖 Robotaxi testing heading to Austin and Miami
🎵 New product features to personalize your ride
More details here: — Zoox (@zoox)
Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo has fielded the largest commercial service and fleet, charging fares around the clock in 10 U.S. markets, with plans to start service in more than 20 cities this year. In Atlanta and Austin, Waymo offers rides through Uber Technologies Inc.’s app.
Initially, the robotaxis in Austin and Miami will offer rides to employees, opening up later to friends and family, before eventually being offered to members of the public.
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To date, Zoox has operated a limited service through its own app. In Las Vegas, the company ferries passengers around the strip between predetermined locations. The San Francisco service is currently confined to three of the city’s southeastern districts.
Zoox recently agreed to make its robotaxis available through Uber, starting in Las Vegas this summer and Los Angeles next year.
Evans, who is also a member of Amazon’s leadership team, said the expansions will bring Zoox’s fleet of robotaxis to about 100 vehicles. The company’s factory in Fremont is capable of building 10,000 robotaxis per year.
“Obviously, we’re not going to go to 10,000 overnight,” Evans said. “But the ramp is now starting.”
