LAS VEGAS (KLAS)– Zoox has introduced its driverless robotaxi, set to transport passengers from the Las Vegas Strip to various destinations across the valley.
Starting next year, passengers will be able to enjoy rides in Zoox’s driverless robotaxi around Las Vegas. Self-driving vehicles have been tested in the valley for years, but their size and scope have often been limited.
The robotaxi differs significantly from Zoox’s test vehicle. Since 2019, Zoox’s white test cars have been traversing the valley to map the roads for their fully autonomous robotaxi.
Since establishing their presence in the city, they have added hundreds of jobs and expanded their fleet of vehicles.
Las Vegas will be their first commercial operation in the country when they pick up their first passengers in 2025. These robots are built in California by Zoox and include a variety of features for passengers but most notably no spot for a driver.
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Las Vegas will be their first commercial operation in the country when they pick up their first passengers in 2025. (KLAS) -
8 News Now road along in first driverless test drive before it takes passengers next year. (KLAS) -
Next year passengers can hop on board Zoox’s driverless robotaxi for rides around Las Vegas. (KLAS)
“It has crab steering it’s a carriage-style vehicle, so you have four people that are able to sit inside and converse with each other. It has a very similar sensor architecture to the vehicles that are currently out on the road and that is why it is so important we have our retrofitted highlanders out on the street because we have to build that safety case,” Justin Windus, director of Fleet Operations in Las Vegas for Zoox said.
8 News Now was one of the first to ride along in the fully autonomous robotaxi.
The vehicle has a star-like ceiling, surrounded by windows along with state-of-the-art safety features. Those include seatbelts, a 360 airbag an emergency lever to open the doors and a communications system that will inform first responders if a crash happens.
When the vehicles are on the road, Zoox’s staff will continuously monitor them. Each vehicle is equipped with a variety of sensors, including radar, imaging technology, and cameras.
Zoox has partnered with the Las Vegas Golden Knights and could soon be transporting players and staff to the fortress along with regular passengers.
The company was acquired by Amazon and will expand to Miami and California roads after they launch in Las Vegas next year.
