Inside ZOOX: Amazon’s Robotaxi Now Testing in San Francisco

They look like small futuristic cubes, gliding silently through the streets of SoMa and the Mission District. Already operating in Las Vegas, they have no driver, no steering wheel, not even a windshield through which you can “keep an eye” on the road.

Welcome aboard Zoox, Amazon’s robotaxi, now being tested at full scale in San Francisco.

A taxi with no driver… and no steering wheel

The first impression is disorienting: there’s no front seat or back seat, since the vehicle can drive in either direction. Inside, four seats face each other around a surprisingly spacious cabin.

Each passenger has a navigation screen to adjust the temperature, follow the trip in real time, and choose their music. If a soothing ambiance welcomes you at the start, you can then switch to your own playlist and fully enjoy the immersive sound system. One extra perk at night: the ceiling is lit up with stars!

Zoox, Amazon’s vision for the future of mobility

Founded in 2014 in the Bay Area and acquired by Amazon in 2020 for over one billion dollars, Zoox aims to completely rethink urban mobility. The company develops its autonomous driving software, sensors, and the vehicle itself in-house, designing a purpose-built robotaxi specifically for shared urban transportation.

Each robotaxi is equipped with LiDAR sensors, cameras, and radar systems that provide 360-degree awareness, enabling the vehicle to detect pedestrians, cyclists, and obstacles with extreme precision. The goal is to offer a safe, quiet, and zero-emission alternative to private cars while helping reduce urban congestion.

Free rides during the test phase

Since early October, Zoox has been offering its first rides to a limited group in SoMa and the Mission, after several months of internal testing. Rides are free during this pilot phase. All you have to do is sign up for the waitlist and download the Zoox app; then, when it’s your turn, the team will contact you to activate your account.

For its launch, Zoox is also partnering with local businesses: for instance, last October, you simply had to show the app on your phone to enjoy a complimentary pastry and drink at Tartine Bakery!

Next stops: Austin and Miami

Following launches in Las Vegas and San Francisco, Zoox’s next deployments are planned for Austin and Miami. These two strategic cities will allow the company to test its service in very different urban and climatic environments, ahead of a potential wider rollout.