Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, announced on Monday that its self-driving robotaxis are now undergoing tests on the Las Vegas Strip. However, for now, the only passengers these cutting-edge vehicles will be transporting are Zoox employees. The company aims to open the service to the public next year as part of the Zoox Explorer program once the trials are deemed successful.
In a press release, Zoox highlighted the challenges presented by testing in such a bustling environment. “The Strip is one of the most highly trafficked areas in Las Vegas,” the release stated. “It is full of complex driving scenarios, including more than eight lanes with multiple turning lanes, high speeds, heavy pedestrian traffic, and large-scale intersections.” The complexity and high traffic volume make the Strip an ideal testing ground for the advanced autonomous technology Zoox is developing.
If Zoox’s trials succeed, it will become the second company to offer a robotaxi service in Las Vegas. Last year, Motional introduced a fully driverless taxi service that can be hailed via the Lyft app, utilizing vehicles based on the Hyundai IONIQ 5.
Founded in 2014 by Tim Kentley-Klay and Jesse Levinson in Foster City, California, Zoox was acquired by Amazon for $1.2 billion in 2020. The company has been testing a fleet of retrofitted Toyota Highlanders around Las Vegas since 2019. These tests are also being conducted in other major cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, Miami, and Austin, Texas.
In related news, Zoox has reportedly formed a partnership with the Las Vegas Golden Knights and may begin transporting players and staff to T-Mobile Arena starting next year. This partnership adds another layer of excitement and anticipation for the potential public rollout of Zoox’s robotaxis.
