The Future Just Pulled Up: Zoox Goes Live in SF
Forget everything you know about cars. Amazon’s self-driving startup, Zoox, just launched its fully autonomous, sci-fi-inspired robotaxi in San Francisco. This isn’t a Tesla with fancy software—it’s a custom-built pod with no steering wheel, no pedals, and no human driver.
Starting this week, the service is offering free rides to early users through Zoox’s “Explorers” program. It’s available only in a limited area for now, but it’s a big step forward in the robotaxi race.
No Front. No Back. No Problem.
Zoox’s vehicle isn’t your average EV. It’s designed from the ground up as an autonomous shuttle. That means it doesn’t even have a front or rear—it can drive in both directions. With four-wheel steering, sliding doors, and two rows of bench seating facing each other, it looks more like a sci-fi lounge than a car.
Because it was built for autonomy from day one, the pod skips the traditional driver’s seat altogether. The U.S. government gave Zoox a regulatory green light in August, allowing it to operate these one-of-a-kind vehicles on public roads.
Free Rides for Now, Data for Later
To start, Zoox won’t charge passengers. That’s because its permit from California’s Public Utilities Commission only allows driverless rides without fares. The company plans to use feedback from early users to fine-tune the experience before scaling up.
And yes, it’s all fully electric.
Waymo, Tesla… and Now Zoox
Zoox joins a growing list of players trying to shape the future of urban mobility. Waymo currently leads the pack with its Jaguar I-Pace fleet and upcoming custom vehicles from Zeekr and Hyundai. Tesla is working on its own “Cybercab,” but it’s not ready yet.
Zoox, meanwhile, is already on the streets.
After kicking off in Las Vegas earlier this year, Zoox is now turning heads in San Francisco. The city just got a little more futuristic—and a lot more driverless.
