Zoox, the autonomous mobility unit owned by Amazon, has begun public road testing of driverless vehicles. In California, Zoox robot taxis have started shuttling company staff between home and workplace and back, marking a notable step forward for autonomous passenger services. The move signals a transition from controlled trials to real-world operation, where the vehicles navigate streets, respond to traffic dynamics, and carry passengers without a human driver behind the wheel.
Zoox states that this is the first instance of a vehicle transporting passengers on public roads without any human supervision. The vehicle is designed without a steering wheel or pedals and is capable of seating four passengers. This minimalist interior and autonomous drive system are intended to provide a seamless, ride-hail style experience, with safety as a central design priority and continuous monitoring by remote staff and engineering teams.
Engineering specifications highlight that the robot taxi can reach speeds up to 120 km/h and operates with a fully electric powertrain. A single battery charge purportedly enables up to sixteen hours of continuous driving, depending on conditions such as road layout, temperature, and mission profile. While formal plans for a commercial launch have not been announced, the testing phase is expected to yield important insights into reliability, passenger comfort, and city-scale deployment considerations.
- Video footage showing the vehicle in operation has been published on YouTube to illustrate its driving behavior and user interface.
As this program progresses, observers in the United States and Canada will watch closely how regulators, insurers, and local communities respond to autonomous passenger transport at street level. The Zoox initiative reflects broader industry efforts to advance driverless mobility while addressing questions about safety protocols, cybersecurity, and the integration of autonomous fleets into existing transportation networks.