Zoox launches free, fully driverless robotaxi rides on the Las Vegas Strip

LAS VEGAS — Amazon-owned Zoox has officially launched its robotaxi service in Las Vegas, making the city one of the first to host a fully driverless fleet open to the public.

The service, which debuted this week, allows riders to hail a Zoox vehicle through the company’s app and travel between five designated “hotspots” along or near the Strip. Current pickup and drop-off points include Resorts World Las Vegas, Luxor, New York-New York, AREA15, and Topgolf.

All rides are free during the initial rollout. Nevada regulators have authorized autonomous passenger trips but have not yet cleared Zoox to charge fares. Once that approval is granted, the company intends to expand operations and could deploy up to 100 vehicles under its state permit.

A vehicle built for autonomy

Zoox’s robotaxi is not a retrofit of a traditional car but a purpose-built electric vehicle designed for autonomy. It has no steering wheel, no pedals, and no driver’s seat. Instead, passengers sit facing one another on bench seats, surrounded by cameras, radar, and lidar sensors. Each vehicle carries up to four passengers and is programmed for trips of about three miles — suited for short hops along the Strip’s busy hotel and entertainment corridor.

Safety and accessibility features include in-car help buttons and app-based support, with staff on hand at certain pickup zones to assist riders.

Expansion plans beyond Las Vegas

Zoox, acquired by Amazon in 2020, has about 50 vehicles split between Las Vegas and San Francisco, with most stationed in Nevada. San Francisco is expected to be the next city for launch once regulators there authorize passenger service. The company has also identified Austin and Miami as future markets and operates a Hayward, California, facility capable of producing up to 10,000 vehicles a year.

Las Vegas as a proving ground