Zoox bets massive, launches robotaxi service on Vegas Strip

Amazon subsidiary Zoox right this moment launched its robotaxi service to the general public on and across the Las Vegas Strip. Rides are free and out there by means of the Zoox app, which may be downloaded on each iOS and Android units, the corporate stated.

Zoox has spent greater than a decade creating and rolling out its custom-built robotaxis. The corporate’s distinctive car doesn’t have a driver’s seat, steering wheel, or brake pedals. As an alternative, the inside of the car options rows of seating that face one another, permitting riders to raised join throughout rides. Zoox stated it might probably produce as much as 10,000 of those automobiles a yr in its manufacturing facility.

“The autonomous car business has made exceptional strides this yr, bringing us nearer to a way forward for safer, extra accessible mobility. With the launch of our totally driverless ride-hailing service utilizing a purposefully designed robotaxi, we’re thrilled to be a part of this groundbreaking journey,” stated Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox. “Las Vegas is a metropolis well-known for unforgettable moments, and it’s the excellent location for our debut. Zoox is about reworking all the ride-hailing expertise, making each trip a pleasant expertise.”

The Foster Metropolis, Calif.-based firm can also be testing its purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco and Foster Metropolis. Through the testing part, its automobiles are open to Zoox workers so the corporate can refine the driving expertise. It has additional plans to check in Austin and Miami within the coming years.

Mike Oitzman, senior editor of The Robotic Report, took a trip in a Zoox robotaxi across the Las Vegas Strip throughout CES 2025. You’ll be able to watch the trip beneath.

How will the service work?

Zoox stated Las Vegas makes a really perfect location for its service launch. The town welcomes over 40 million guests yearly, who will now have the chance to discover the strip in a Zoox car. 

After downloading the Zoox app, riders can choose from a number of locations, similar to Resorts World Las Vegas, AREA15, Topgolf, and different resort and leisure properties. The corporate plans so as to add extra locations all through the approaching months because it expands its service. 

Pickups and drop-offs will occur at every vacation spot’s ride-hail zone. At some locations, like Resorts World Las Vegas and AREA15, the corporate has arrange devoted areas designed for Zoox riders. At these places, an on-site Zoox Concierge will likely be there to welcome riders, stroll them by means of the app, and reply questions.

To assist riders establish their robotaxi, the car’s license plate quantity will likely be displayed within the app. The app can even embrace estimated pickup occasions, real-time arrival updates, and post-ride summaries with suggestions choices.

To start out, the service is free for all riders. The corporate stated this may assist riders develop into extra aware of Zoox, its service, and share suggestions earlier than Zoox begins to scale. Zoox stated it plans to introduce paid rides when it secures the mandatory regulatory approval.

How does Zoox evaluate to different robotaxi builders?

Zoox stands out for its distinctive robotaxi design, however it isn’t the one firm operating robotaxis providers within the U.S. Waymo, an Alphabet subsidiary, is a transparent chief within the area. In July 2025, the corporate introduced it had surpassed 100 million totally autonomous miles with out a human driver behind the wheel. The Robotic Report named Waymo its 2025 Robotic of the Yr.

The firm is now driving greater than 2 million totally autonomous miles and offering over 1 / 4 million rides per week, it stated. It has served greater than 10 million totally autonomous journeys up to now. Waymo at present operates providers in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin.

Nuro, a Mountain View, Calif.-based developer, has additionally been working to commercialize robotaxi providers. The corporate is taking a multi-pronged method to autonomous driving. Along with robotaxi providers, It licenses its autonomous driving system to automotive producers and mobility suppliers.

Tesla has additionally lately entered the robotaxi area. In June 2025, Tesla formally launched its first robotaxi service in Austin to a choose group of buyers and influencers.