Amazon-owned Zoox has begun offering its custom-built robotaxis to the public in San Francisco, marking a significant step towards launching a full commercial service and directly competing with Waymo. These unique vehicles, designed without a steering wheel or pedals, have been navigating San Francisco streets for nearly a year, though access was previously limited to employees and their close contacts.
This initial rollout is not a large-scale commercial launch. Instead, Zoox is inviting select individuals from its waitlist to participate in the "Zoox Explorer" early rider initiative. Participants in this program will gain access to the service, which is currently offered free of charge.
Zoox plans to gradually move more riders off the waitlist as it expands its robotaxi fleet and service coverage. The company aims to eliminate the waitlist entirely by 2026. While Zoox did not disclose the number of current waitlist members or those granted public access, it currently operates approximately 50 robotaxis across Las Vegas and San Francisco. Once approved, riders can use the Zoox app to hail a vehicle within its designated San Francisco service area, which includes the SoMA, Mission, and Design districts.
Though Zoox's current service area is considerably smaller than the 260 square miles covered by Alphabet-owned Waymo, this public launch significantly narrows the competitive gap. Acquired by Amazon in 2020, Foster City-based Zoox has dedicated over a decade to developing its commercial robotaxi service. While its early test vehicles, modified Toyota Highlanders, were a familiar sight in the Bay Area, it's the company's distinctive, purpose-built robotaxis that have truly garnered public interest.
"Zoox has been testing our autonomous technology in San Francisco since 2017," stated CEO Aicha Evans. "It's our home – a city of innovation and progress with an amazing mobility ecosystem that we feel Zoox can truly complement. We've observed incredible interest in Zoox within this market and are excited about this initial step to bring our purpose-built robotaxi experience to more people."
Before Zoox can launch a fully commercial robotaxi service, it must clear two significant regulatory hurdles. First, the company needs to secure a permit from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), the body responsible for regulating ride-hailing services, to legally charge passengers for rides in the state. Second, Zoox must obtain approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to use its custom-built robotaxis for commercial operations.
Zoox has already achieved some progress on the federal front. In August, NHTSA granted the company an exemption, allowing it to demonstrate its unique robotaxis on public roads. This ruling resolved a long-standing debate regarding whether Zoox's custom autonomous vehicles complied with federal motor vehicle safety standards, which typically mandate features like steering wheels and pedals. While this exemption permits Zoox to offer free rides, it cannot charge for its service until NHTSA expands the exemption to include commercial operations.
