Zoox Opens Robotaxi Service to the Public in San Francisco
▼ Summary
– Zoox is expanding its robotaxi service in San Francisco by inviting members off its public waitlist to hail rides in its autonomous vehicles.
– The company uses fully driverless, purpose-built vehicles that lack traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals, distinguishing it from competitors.
– Riders can request point-to-point travel within designated San Francisco neighborhoods, selecting destinations via address, pin drop, or suggested locations.
– Zoox operates a fleet of approximately 50 robotaxis across San Francisco and Las Vegas, with a waitlist accessible through its app.
– Rides are currently free due to regulatory exemptions for demonstration purposes, with no timeline for when paid services will begin.
The wait is over for many in San Francisco as Zoox opens its robotaxi service to the public, marking a major step forward for the Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company. After a period of limited access, Zoox is now inviting members of its public waitlist, known as “Zoox Explorers,” to request rides in its unique, driverless vehicles. This expansion signals steady progress toward a full commercial launch.
What makes Zoox stand out is its approach to vehicle design. The company uses a purpose-built autonomous vehicle that completely does away with traditional driving features, there is no steering wheel, no pedals, and no sideview mirrors. This distinguishes Zoox from competitors who often retrofit existing car models with self-driving technology. While the company’s Las Vegas operation is confined to specific pickup and drop-off spots, its San Francisco service promises more flexibility, allowing for dynamic, point-to-point travel within a designated area.
Riders in San Francisco can hail a Zoox robotaxi across most of the SoMa, Mission, and Design District neighborhoods. The process is designed for ease and convenience: passengers can choose their destination by entering a street address, dropping a pin on a map, or picking from a list of popular local spots. If the vehicle can’t pull up directly at the final stop, the app will provide walking directions to complete the journey.
Currently, Zoox operates a combined fleet of roughly 50 robotaxis in both San Francisco and Las Vegas. The company has not revealed how many people are signed up on its waitlist, though interested customers can still join through the Zoox mobile app. For now, all rides are being offered free of charge. This is because Zoox is operating under a demonstration permit from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which grants an exemption from standard federal safety rules that require traditional vehicle controls. It remains uncertain when the company will receive approval to begin charging passengers for trips.
(Source: The Verge)
