Amazon’s Zoox opens its first major robotaxi production facility

Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has officially inaugurated its first large-scale production facility, with plans to manufacture up to 10,000 robotaxis annually. This milestone signifies a significant transition for Zoox as it moves beyond the development stage. Currently, the company is conducting tests of its vehicles across various U.S. cities, including providing rides to employees in Las Vegas and San Francisco. Public access to these self-driving rides is set to commence with an early-rider program anticipated in 2026. The new factory spans 220,000 square feet and is strategically situated in Hayward, California, close to Zoox's headquarters in Foster City. This facility becomes the second production site in the Bay Area, complementing the assembly warehouse located in Fremont. According to Zoox, the Hayward facility will serve multiple purposes, including engineering, software and hardware integration, assembly, storage, and rigorous testing. The custom-designed robotaxis will first operate in Las Vegas, followed by expansions into San Francisco, with future plans for commercial services in Austin and Miami. The innovative layout and specialized equipment of the new facility are designed to accommodate a variety of vehicle designs, allowing for an adaptive approach as Zoox expands its robotaxi offerings. The production will involve a combination of human labor and robotic assistance, where human workers will primarily manage the assembly, while robots will assist with specific tasks, such as applying adhesive for glass installation and moving vehicles along the assembly line.