Self-driving vehicle developer Zoox, owned by Amazon, has begun rolling out its autonomous robotaxis in San Francisco, California.
The vehicles operate without human intervention, and are currently being tested for research purposes, with the company aiming to invite passengers on board next year.
Unlike traditional vehicles, Zoox cars have been purpose-built for autonomy, with no steering wheel, pedals, or manual controls.
Instead, the vehicle features a pill-shaped cabin with two benches facing each other.
The vehicles are equipped with advanced sensors, and AI software.
Zoox’s technology includes six different types of airbags, sensors that prevent the vehicle from starting until all passengers are securely buckled up, and software designed to detect and avoid potential collisions in real time.
In addition to San Francisco, Zoox is also conducting tests near its headquarters in Foster City, California, and along the Las Vegas Strip, exploring various urban environments to fine-tune the vehicle’s performance.
The company has emphasised its commitment to “rigorous” safety standards and believes its technology is ready to move toward full-scale deployment in the near future.
Jesse Levinson, Co-Founder and CTO, said: “This expansion marks our third city for our robotaxi operations, following Foster City and Las Vegas.
“We’ve rigorously tested and validated our AI stack in multiple cities over the last seven years in preparation for the deployment of our robotaxi fleet. From day one, our robotaxis will be leveraging a deep history and understanding of this area.”
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