Heading 1: Zoox Begins Testing Fully Autonomous Pod on Public Roads in Las Vegas
Heading 2: Introduction to Zoox’s Autonomous Pod
Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, has recently announced that it has started testing a fully autonomous pod on public roads in Las Vegas. This marks a significant milestone for the company, as it is the first to deploy a completely driverless, purpose-built robotaxi in the state of Nevada.
Heading 2: Limited Testing Area and Restrictions
Since June 16, the Zoox vehicle has been operating on public roads in Nevada. However, it is currently limited to driving a one-mile loop around the company’s Las Vegas headquarters. Additionally, the vehicle is restricted to speeds of up to 35 mph (56 km/h). Initially, only employees of the company will be allowed to ride in the autonomous pod.
Heading 2: Similar Implementation in California
Zoox’s rollout in Nevada follows a similar implementation in California, where the autonomous pod served as a shuttle for Zoox employees. It transported them between different buildings within the company’s premises. Despite the limited routes in both locations, the vehicle operates on busy public roads, navigating through traffic and interacting with other drivers and cyclists. Zoox aims to leverage this testing phase to improve its technology and develop a better service for future commercial launch.
Heading 2: Valuable Learnings and Fine-Tuning Technology
Jesse Levinson, Zoox’s co-founder and CTO, emphasizes the significance of deploying their robotaxi on open public roads in California and Nevada. He believes that driving autonomously in these challenging locations will provide invaluable learnings for Zoox. These learnings will help the company fine-tune its technology in preparation for a successful commercial launch.
Heading 2: Zoox’s Presence in Las Vegas
Zoox first established its presence in Las Vegas in 2019 when it launched a test fleet of Toyota Highlanders. These vehicles were capable of autonomous driving but had a human safety operator inside to intervene if necessary. Since then, Zoox has been actively collecting data, mapping the area, and familiarizing itself with the unique driving conditions in the city.
Heading 2: Amazon’s Acquisition of Zoox
In 2020, Amazon acquired Zoox for $1.3 billion, recognizing the potential of autonomous taxis in the future transportation industry. Zoox is among a few companies working towards introducing fully autonomous taxis on American roads. Competitors such as GM’s Cruise and Alphabet’s Waymo are also operating autonomous vehicles on public roads.
Heading 2: Conclusion
Zoox’s testing of a fully autonomous pod on public roads in Las Vegas marks a significant milestone for the company and the state of Nevada. With restrictions in place, the company aims to gather valuable insights and improve its technology for a successful commercial launch. As competition in the autonomous vehicle industry continues to grow, Zoox’s progress showcases the advancements being made towards a future with fully autonomous taxis.