Zevo wants to add robotaxis to its car-share fleet, starting with newcomer Tensor

The era of autonomous vehicles is rapidly approaching, with companies like Waymo already rolling out commercial robotaxi services in various cities. As the automotive industry evolves, many manufacturers are looking to bring this level of autonomy to privately-owned vehicles in the near future. One innovative player in this space is Zevo, a Dallas-based company that has been operating an electric vehicle-only car-sharing fleet for just over a year. Zevo is now setting its sights on integrating robotaxis into its offerings, beginning with a partnership with the startup Tensor. Tensor has emerged from a previous company, AutoX, and boldly asserts its goal to be the first to market fully autonomous cars for everyday consumers by 2026. Zevo plans to purchase up to 100 vehicles from Tensor, expanding its network with these advanced autonomous vehicles. However, the timeline for this development remains vague, and Tensor faces significant challenges in proving its capability to manufacture cars at scale and with reliability—a hurdle that many startups have stumbled upon in the past. If successful, Zevo's customers would have the opportunity to access Tensor’s autonomous vehicles, creating a decentralized robotaxi service that could redefine car-sharing. This announcement echoes the ambitious yet unmet promises from a decade ago when self-driving car excitement peaked. Yet, with operational robotaxis now on the streets, the prospect feels more attainable. Hugo Fozzati, Tensor’s chief business officer, shared the company’s vision of a future where individuals own their own Artificial General Intelligence, allowing for greater freedom and autonomy. He emphasized that partnering with Zevo is not merely a vehicle transaction; it empowers individuals and micro-entrepreneurs to engage in the autonomous vehicle business during this AI-driven era. This is not Zevo’s first venture into risky partnerships. Recently, the company placed a non-binding order for 1,000 vans from the struggling EV manufacturer, Faraday Future. Despite Faraday's challenges in delivering its flagship luxury SUV, it has begun importing more affordable electric vans from China for assembly in the U.S. Zevo’s co-founder, Hebron Sher, acknowledges that the appeal of working with startups like Tensor and Faraday Future lies in their willingness to negotiate favorable terms and their flexibility in software integration—essential for facilitating peer-to-peer sharing of robotaxis. In contrast, Sher criticizes established automakers for their rigid technology, stating that collaborating with other startups leads to innovative solutions. Sher views the partnership with Tensor as mutually beneficial, offering Tensor an early customer to validate its technology while allowing Zevo to secure a favorable deal and ensure deep software integration. However, he recognizes the inherent risks involved, emphasizing that embracing risk is what drives innovation in America.