On the Road in San Francisco: Zoox Enters the Robotaxi Competition | WPN World People News

Amazon’s autonomous-driving subsidiary Zoox launched a trial robotaxi service on selected streets in San Francisco on the 18th (local time), deploying around 50 driverless vehicles. Just days after Alphabet’s Waymo began offering robotaxi rides in the same city, the two companies are now officially going head-to-head in this market.

Zoox stated that passengers who register for the “Zoox Explorer” program can ride the company’s autonomous vehicles for free within designated neighborhoods in San Francisco—including SoMa, the Mission District, and the Design District—and share feedback to help improve user experience and support future service expansion. The Zoox vehicle, which resembles a toaster on wheels, is purpose-built for autonomous driving, featuring no steering wheel, pedals, or other manual controls. Passengers sit facing each other, giving the vehicle a look and ride experience distinct from its competitors.

Founded in 2014, Zoox was acquired by Amazon in 2020 for USD 1.3 billion. The company designed its autonomous vehicle from the ground up, abandoning traditional car architecture and removing the steering wheel entirely. In 2023, its “toaster-shaped” autonomous shuttle first hit the roads. Since September this year, Zoox has already been offering free robotaxi rides to the public on the Las Vegas Strip in Nevada and nearby areas. The company says it hopes to completely eliminate its waitlist by 2026.

Zoox’s major rival in the robotaxi space is Waymo, developed in 2009 under Google’s parent company Alphabet. Waymo’s robotaxis have provided more than 10 million paid rides to date. The service has recently expanded into Los Angeles, San Francisco, and San Jose, with future plans to enter New York, Washington, D.C., and London.

Compared with Waymo’s 260-square-mile service area, Zoox still has a long way to go. However, by publicly launching its service in San Francisco, Zoox is taking a significant step toward direct competition with Waymo. Zoox’s factory in Hayward, California, is expected to produce up to 10,000 robotaxis per year. The unfolding battle for dominance in the robotaxi market is certainly one to watch.