Amazon’s Zoox is set to launch its robotaxi service in San Francisco, offering complimentary rides in select neighborhoods. This initiative aims to compete with Waymo, which has been an early leader in the self-driving transport sector. The service, announced recently, will be limited to individuals who have signed up on a waiting list for rides in Zoox’s distinctive gondola-shaped vehicles, which do not feature a steering wheel. This rollout follows Zoox’s initial launch of a ride-hailing service on the Las Vegas strip less than three months earlier.
Unlike Waymo, which charges passengers for its services in Phoenix and other cities, Zoox is currently not placing fees on rides. This approach marks a significant phase in Zoox’s operations before it possibly moves to charge fares like those of traditional ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.2 billion as part of its broader strategy to enter the autonomous driving space.
However, Zoox still requires approval from California regulators to begin charging for rides. Waymo received such approval in August 2023, having addressed safety concerns expressed by city officials. Since gaining this clearance, Waymo’s self-driving vehicles have become a common sight in San Francisco.
Waymo operates in multiple locations across California, including San Jose and Los Angeles, and is planning expansions into cities like New York, Washington DC, and London in the coming year. Additionally, Waymo is extending its routes to include highways alongside urban streets. Plans for further expansion into Dallas, San Antonio, Houston, Miami, and Orlando have also been announced, though rides in these areas will not commence until next year.
To bolster Zoox’s growth, Amazon has transformed a former bus factory in Hayward, California, into a state-of-the-art robotaxi manufacturing facility, aiming for an annual production of up to 10,000 vehicles.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/nov/18/amazon-launches-robotaxi-service-san-francisco