Zoox
- Amazon subsidiary Zoox has opened a ride-hailing service in Las Vegas, using its autonomous pod that has zero driving controls.
- The rides, which are free for now, can currently only travel between select locations.
- Zoox plans to launch the service in San Francisco next.
Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon focused on autonomous driving, has taken a big step toward bringing self-driving cars into the mainstream. While the company had previously operated its pod-like vehicle on the streets around its headquarters in Foster City, California, giving rides to employees, Zoox has now announced that it has started running a ride-hailing service in Las Vegas that is open to the public. ZooxThe new Zoox service kicked off on September 10, offering free rides through the Zoox smartphone application. Rides are available on and around the Las Vegas Strip, although it appears the Zoox vehicle cannot take you wherever you want. Instead, riders can choose from a few destinations, including Resorts World Las Vegas, AREA15, Topgolf, and other entertainment spaces. Zoox says more destinations will be added in the next several months.Zoox claims that it is the first company to launch a “fully autonomous ride-hailing service in a purpose-built robotaxi,” distinguishing itself from services operated by the likes of Waymo, May Mobility, Tesla, and the now defunct General Motors division Cruise. Those companies have all used autonomous vehicles adapted from existing production models; Waymo uses Jaguar I-Paces and Cruise used Chevrolet Bolt EVs, for example.ZooxZoox’s vehicle, meanwhile, is built from the ground up as a robotaxi. Revealed in 2020, the Zoox robotaxi stretches 142.9 inches from nose to tail, making it about the same length as a Fiat 500e. Power comes from a pair of electric motors, and the cabin features no steering wheel or pedals—instead, a pair of benches face each other.While the service is initially free in Las Vegas, Zoox says it will introduce paid rides once the company gains “the necessary regulatory approval.” While it’s still early days for Zoox, the opening of its service in Las Vegas using purpose-built robotaxis is a significant move toward making self-driving cars a reality. Zoox plans to bring its ride-hailing service to San Francisco next, with Austin and Miami planned to follow down the line.More on Autonomous Cars
- Toyota and Waymo Will Partner on Autonomous Cars
- U.S. Goverment Relaxes Rules for Self-Driving Cars
- Tesla Robotaxi Service Starts Small but Has Issues
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Source: caranddriver.com
