Zoox Launches First Public Robotaxi Service in Las Vegas with Free Rides

Las Vegas, NV – Amazon-owned Zoox officially commenced its public robotaxi service in Las Vegas on September 10, offering free rides on and around the Las Vegas Strip. This marks the first time a purpose-built, fully autonomous ride-hailing service without manual controls has been made available to the public in the U.S. The launch represents a significant step for the autonomous vehicle industry, as noted by tech industry advocate Adam Kovacevich, who stated on social media, "Zoox is live to the public in Las Vegas. Another great day for autonomous vehicle progress."

The Zoox robotaxi stands out with its unique design, resembling a "toaster on wheels" due to its symmetrical, bidirectional structure that lacks a steering wheel or pedals. Passengers sit facing each other in two rows of seats, designed for social interaction. Zoox CEO Aicha Evans emphasized that the vehicle was "built from the ground up around the rider," providing a distinct experience compared to retrofitted cars.

Initially, the service is free, with rides bookable via the Zoox app from select locations, including major resorts like Resorts World Las Vegas and entertainment venues such as AREA15. Zoox aims to familiarize the public with its autonomous technology before seeking regulatory approval to begin charging fares in the coming months. The company has been testing its vehicles in Las Vegas since 2019, with a fleet of approximately 50 purpose-built robotaxis, the majority of which are deployed in the city.

Zoox, acquired by Amazon for $1.3 billion in 2020, plans to expand its service beyond Las Vegas. Executives indicated that San Francisco would be the next market, with a waitlist already open for riders there. Future expansion targets include Miami, Austin, Atlanta, and Los Angeles, signaling Zoox's ambition to compete in the growing U.S. robotaxi market against rivals like Waymo and Tesla.

Despite previous minor incidents during testing that led to software updates, Zoox leadership maintains a strong focus on safety. Co-founder and CTO Jesse Levinson stated that their goal is to be "significantly safer than a human" driver, acknowledging continuous efforts to improve their software. The company's long-term vision involves scaling its manufacturing capabilities, with a new facility in Hayward, California, projected to produce up to 10,000 vehicles annually at full capacity.