Zoox, Amazon’s robotaxi company, just unveiled an updated version of its self-driving ride. The company says the newest model is the “next evolution” of its purpose-built robotaxi and is set to enter large-scale production soon. The update comes as Zoox prepares to more directly enter the robotaxi industry that’s currently dominated by Alphabet’s Waymo. But unlike Waymo, which uses modified passenger vehicles, Zoox says it designed its robotaxis from the ground up to deliver a truly driverless ride-hailing experience. Since the vehicles are built around riders, not drivers, they do not have traditional controls like a steering wheel or pedals. That gives Zoox’s robotaxi its unique boxy, toaster-on-wheels look. The company is still waiting on approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to deploy these steering-wheel-less robotaxis commercially.
Amazon acquired Zoox for about $1.3 billion back in 2020. Since then, the company has started offering free rides in parts of Las Vegas and San Francisco and has also begun testing in other cities, including Austin and Miami. Zoox says the updates to the vehicle come from lessons learned during testing and feedback from half a million riders.
