Amazon’s Zoox launched its robotaxi service to the public, starting with the iconic Las Vegas Strip as its first stop.
The company said on Wednesday that it is offering free rides to the public for the initial launch, which will give riders a chance to familiarize themselves with the service and provide feedback.
The robotaxi cannot travel anywhere on the Strip. For now, pick-ups and drop-offs are limited to a handful of hotspot destinations, including Resorts World Las Vegas and AREA15.
Courtesy Zoox
The Zoox app is available to download for all iOS and Android users, but users must be within the geo-fence to order a ride.
The limited launch will tee up Zoox’s next target city, San Francisco, where Alphabet’s Waymo already offers paid-autonomous vehicle services.
“We’ve deployed a fleet of approximately 50 robotaxis between Las Vegas and San Francisco,” Marisa Wiggam, a Zoox spokesperson, told Business Insider. “The majority will be in Las Vegas, and over time, this will scale to both markets to meet increased demand.”
Zoox, which Amazon bought in 2020 for $1.2 billion, aims to differentiate itself from services like Waymo and Tesla Robotaxi.
Its in-house built robotaxi is a toaster-shaped vehicle with no steering wheel, no pedals, and no driver’s seat. The vehicle fits up to four people, with the riders facing each other.
Waymo, on the other hand, relies on original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), such as Jaguar, for its fleet and retrofits the vehicles with sensors that support autonomous capabilities.
Tesla uses its latest Model Y for its limited robotaxi service in Austin. However, the company said it aims to roll out a purpose-built robotaxi with no steering wheel, called the Cybercab, next year.
