In a first, Amazon’s self-driving car Zoox ferries people in California

  • The company said the robotaxi trip marks the first time that a vehicle designed without human controls has carried passengers on a public road.
This Toyota SUV has been modified by Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, which combines radars, lidar, and cameras to test its software. (AFP)
This Toyota SUV has been modified by Zoox, a subsidiary of Amazon, which combines radars, lidar, and cameras to test its software.

Zoox Inc., the self-driving startup owned by Amazon.com Inc., carried passengers in its fully autonomous vehicle on public roads for the first time.

Last week, the electric vehicle, which doesn’t have a steering wheel, ran a mile-long route carrying staff between Zoox’s two main buildings in Foster City, California, the company said in a statement. The firm will now operate a shuttle for employees on the same trip while it seeks additional clearances to expand its service to the public.

Also check these Cars

Find more Cars
Mahindra Ekuv100 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
BatteryCapacity Icon40 kWh Range Icon150 Km
₹ 8.25 - 10 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Porsche 911 Gt3 (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon3996.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 2.50 Cr
Compare
View Offers
Mahindra S204 (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
₹ 12 Lakhs
Alert Me When Launched
Lexus Nx (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2494.0 cc FuelType IconMultiple
₹ 64.90 Lakhs
Compare
View Offers
Rolls-royce New Ghost (HT Auto photo)
UPCOMING
Engine Icon6750 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 6.95 - 7.95 Cr
Alert Me When Launched
Mercedes-benz Amg E53 Cabriolet (HT Auto photo)
Engine Icon2999.0 cc FuelType IconPetrol
₹ 1.30 Cr
Compare

The company said the robotaxi trip marks the first time that a vehicle designed without human controls has carried passengers on a public road.

Zoox’s driverless testing permit, which it has held since September of 2020, was extended by California to include the purpose-built robotaxi. To date, Zoox’s public-road testing has been limited to a fleet of retrofitted gas-powered cars that carry sensors powering the self-driving technology.

Zoox, which Amazon acquired in 2020 for an undisclosed sum, is racing a collection of startups, including General Motors Co.’s Cruise, to deploy robotaxis. Meanwhile, scrutiny of the technology over safety concerns is increasing.

On Feb. 3, Cruise said it had received permission from California’s department of motor vehicles to test its own Origin shuttle on the state’s public roads. They have not yet done so.

The Zoox robotaxi doesn’t have traditional controls or pedals and can carry four passengers split across two inward facing rows of seats. On the Foster City route, it will travel at a top speed of 35 miles per hour.

Zoox unveiled its robotaxi at the end of 2020 and has been conducting testing at its own facility.

Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India.

First Published Date: 14 Feb 2023, 09:47 AM IST
NEXT ARTICLE BEGINS

Check Latest Offers

Please provide your details to get Personalized Offers

Choose city
+91 | Choose city
Choose city
Select a dealer

Want to get the best price for your existing car?

Powered by: Spinny Logo
By clicking "View Offers" you Agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy
Dear Name

Please verify your mobile number.

+91 | Choose city
Couldn't verify the OTP.
It's either expired or it's incorrect.