Amazon's Zoox makes history in Las Vegas with robotaxi rides in a purpose-built vehicle
Sep. 10, 2025 12:48 PM ET
By: Clark Schultz, SA News Editor
Amazon's (NASDAQ: AMZN) Zoox officially launched an autonomous vehicle service on and around the Las Vegas Strip on Wednesday. The rides are free and available through the Zoox app.
Notably, Zoox ( ZOOX) says it is the first company in history to provide a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in a purpose-built robotaxi. Of note, Tesla ( TSLA) has plans to unveil its CyberCab in 2026, which will be built strictly for robotaxi rides without steering wheels or pedals.
"The autonomous vehicle industry has made remarkable strides this year, bringing us closer to a future of safer, more accessible mobility. With the launch of our fully driverless ride-hailing service using a purposefully designed robotaxi, we're thrilled to be part of this groundbreaking journey," stated Zoox CEO Aicha Evans. "Las Vegas is a city famous for unforgettable moments, and it is the ideal location for our debut," added Evans.
After downloading the Zoox app, riders can select from several destinations, such as Resorts World Las Vegas, AREA15, Topgolf, and other resort and entertainment properties. Zoox ( ZOOX) plans to continue adding new destinations throughout the coming months as the service is expanded.
Zoox ( ZOOX) was co-founded by Tim Kentley-Klay and Jesse Levinson in 2014 with the vision of designing an autonomous vehicle from the ground up, rather than retrofitting existing cars. In 2020, Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) acquired Zoox for approximately $1.3 billion. The deal provided significant financial resources and positioned Zoox as a key asset within Amazon's ( AMZN) Devices & Services division. The company's stated goals are to commercialize its ride-hailing service, rapidly scale robotaxi production, and expand operations to major U.S. cities. |
