In this article, LAS VEGAS — Amazon’s autonomous vehicle unit Zoox is gearing up for a pivotal year as it aims to expand its operations and commercialize its robotaxi business. Co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jesse Levinson revealed that Zoox plans to start offering rides to the public soon, broaden its operating regions, and significantly increase its self-driving vehicle fleet by 2025.
Despite waning investor interest in autonomous vehicles and the dissolution of self-driving units by legacy automakers like General Motors, Ford Motor, and Volkswagen, Zoox, acquired by Amazon for $1.3 billion in 2020, remains focused on its goals. The company has been testing its purpose-built robotaxis on public roads since early 2023 and is currently conducting tests in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City, California.
Zoox’s first commercial market is expected to be Las Vegas, with plans to launch an “Early Rider Program” in the city before opening it to the general public. San Francisco will follow suit. The company is also eyeing expansion to Miami, Austin, and other cities in the future. Levinson envisions Zoox becoming a preferred mode of transportation in major U.S. cities by the end of the decade.
Zoox’s robotaxi, distinct from others, was designed without a human driver from the outset. Unlike Alphabet-backed Waymo, which retrofits traditional vehicles for autonomous capabilities, Zoox’s robotaxis feature unique characteristics like doors that open from the middle and rows of seats facing each other.
During a test drive around Las Vegas, the Zoox autonomous vehicle demonstrated good handling, making appropriate turns and driving assertively. The company has focused on striking a balance between cautious and aggressive driving to ensure safety and efficiency. If Zoox successfully expands its operations this year, it could become a significant player in the robotaxi industry, albeit trailing behind Waymo.
The commercialization of autonomous vehicles remains a complex challenge, with companies like Waymo gradually expanding their services. While the technology is advancing, questions persist about the viability of the business model. The robotaxi industry has proven more difficult than anticipated, with high costs, regulatory uncertainties, and operational challenges hindering widespread adoption.
Waymo continues to lead the way in the robotaxi sector, expanding its services and partnerships. Despite the industry’s hurdles, companies like Zoox are pushing forward with innovative solutions to bring autonomous transportation to the masses.
