Zoox robotaxis are now available for the public to hail in Las Vegas. These custom-built, all-electric, and fully autonomous vehicles operate without a steering wheel or pedals. This is not yet a commercial service, and for now, all rides are offered for free.
The Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company launched this free service after working toward this milestone for years. The company spent six years developing its technology before unveiling its purpose-built electric robotaxis. Zoox began testing its cube-like vehicles on public streets in Las Vegas in 2023. The initial test area was a one-mile loop around its facilities in the southwest part of the city. The testing area later expanded to include public streets around its depot, the entire length of the Las Vegas Strip, and some adjacent roads.
Earlier this year, the Foster City, California-based company launched the Zoox Explorer program, a limited pilot for early public riders in Las Vegas. The new launch opens the service to any adult who downloads the Zoox app on iOS or Android devices.
While the robotaxi service covers the Las Vegas Strip, riders cannot be picked up or dropped off anywhere. The service is currently only accessible at five designated locations. These include Las Vegas landmarks like Resorts World Las Vegas, AREA15, Topgolf, New York New York, and the Luxor. A Zoox spokesperson stated the company will continue to add new destinations in the coming months.
It is unclear how long the rides will remain free. The company stated it needs “regulatory approval” before it can charge for rides. While Zoox does not explicitly list which regulations it must meet, this requirement is likely connected to a recent agreement with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the federal agency that oversees vehicle safety standards.
Last month, NHTSA granted Zoox an exemption to demonstrate its custom-built robotaxis on public roads. This decision resolved a long-standing debate over whether Zoox’s vehicles complied with federal motor vehicle safety standards, which typically require features like a steering wheel and pedals. However, the current exemption only allows Zoox to demonstrate the robotaxis, not to operate them commercially.
Zoox also appears to be preparing for a similar launch in San Francisco, where it is already testing its robotaxis on public streets. The company announced that the public can now join a San Francisco waitlist via the Zoox app.