Zoox to start charging for robotaxi rides in Las Vegas
Amazon-owned Zoox has received federal regulatory approval to begin charging for robotaxi rides in Las Vegas starting August 10. This marks a significant commercial milestone for the company after years of testing and development.
Why it matters
The transition to commercial operations for autonomous vehicles represents a major step in the scaling of driverless transportation technology.
Nearly a year ago, Zoox opened its robotaxi service to the public in Las Vegas. Now, it is ready to start charging for those rides.
The Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle technology company said that it will start charging for rides in Las Vegas starting August 10, marking the launch of its commercial operations. The company has spent years working towards this moment.
The Silicon Valley startup was founded in 2014 with a plan to develop a custom-built electric vehicle and the self-driving stack that would drive it, as well as an on-demand ride-sharing app. The company was acquired by Amazon in 2020, and later that year unveiled its robotaxi , a cube-like vehicle equipped with a self-driving system, loads of sensors, and a moonroof, but no steering wheel or pedals. Zoox has spent the past six years testing the vehicle and updating the hardware.
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