Zoox launches robotaxi service in Las Vegas
With the launch of its service, Zoox claims that it is the “first company in history to provide a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in a purpose-built robotaxi.” This is not the end of the company’s ambitions, though, and in the launch announcement, there is already a call to sign up for the service in San Francisco, although no launch date is currently set.
The free pricing in Las Vegas is to be phased out “as a next step and once we receive the necessary regulatory approval,” the company wrote. No mention is made of what prices will be charged, however.
Currently, Zoox’s transport model is based on pre-determined pick-up and drop-off locations, which Zoox refers to as a ride-hail zone. At the moment, these include partner destinations, such as Resorts World Las Vegas and AREA15. More areas are to be successively added.
Safety measures have also been set up, so “to help riders identify their robotaxi, the vehicle’s license plate number will be displayed in the app. The app will also include estimated pickup times, real-time arrival updates, and post-ride summaries with feedback options.” A ‘help’ button is also included in the app, which then contacts a member of the remote Zoox support team.
“The autonomous vehicle industry has made remarkable strides this year, bringing us closer to a future of safer, more accessible mobility. With the launch of our fully driverless ride-hailing service using a purposefully designed robotaxi, we’re thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking journey,” said Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox. “Las Vegas is a city famous for unforgettable moments, and it is the ideal location for our debut. Zoox is about transforming the entire ride-hailing experience, making every ride a delightful experience.”
Jesse Levinson, Co-Founder and CTO of Zoox, added: “Eleven years ago, we started on a journey to fundamentally rethink transportation. The idea for Zoox was never to make a car drive itself; it was about creating an entirely new mode of transportation. After more than a decade of research, innovation, and testing, we’re incredibly excited to finally bring that vision to the public, starting in Las Vegas. Today’s launch of our service is only the beginning, and we look forward to scaling this safer, more enjoyable, and truly personal way to travel within Las Vegas and across more U.S. markets in the coming months and years.”
Autonomous taxi operations are picking up across the U.S., and San Francisco recently saw the launch of Tesla’s ride-hailing service, which is trying to catch up to Waymo, which recently expanded operations to Atlanta. Waymo recently also saw some difficulties and had to launch a major recall across the USA. However, considering that Waymo has Toyota’s backing, the company will likely bounce back.
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