Amazon's Robotaxi Unit Launches In San Francisco Without Steering Wheels—Or Fees

Core Insights - Zoox, Amazon's self-driving technology company, has initiated free public rides in its robotaxis in San Francisco, following a similar launch in Las Vegas, with plans for commercial service next year if federal waivers are obtained [1][4]. Company Overview - Zoox was founded in 2014 and is based in Foster City, California, with a manufacturing facility in Hayward covering 220,000 square feet [7]. - The company currently operates a fleet of 50 robotaxis and is preparing for rapid scaling over the next year [7]. Vehicle Specifications - Zoox's robotaxis are designed without traditional controls, featuring inward-facing "carriage" seating and equipped with advanced sensors, including eight laser lidars, 10 radar units, 18 digital cameras, eight microphones, and four thermal cameras [5][7]. - The vehicles are built to operate on a "point to point" basis in San Francisco, allowing passengers to enter specific addresses or points of interest for pickup and drop-off [6][7]. Regulatory Environment - Zoox has received permission from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to test its vehicles on public roads and provide free rides under a research exemption [2][3]. - The company is pursuing a Part 555 exemption to operate a commercial fleet, which would allow it to charge fares and release up to 2,500 vehicles annually [3][4]. Competitive Landscape - The robotaxi market is becoming increasingly competitive, with companies like Waymo, Tesla, Uber, and others rapidly expanding their services [4][5]. - If Zoox secures the necessary approvals, its robotaxi service could surpass current offerings from industry leader Waymo [4].