Zoox begins offering robotaxi rides in San Francisco, facing off with Waymo

Zoox has officially entered the driverless vehicle arena in San Francisco, allowing select users to request rides in its unique robotaxis, marking a competitive move against Waymo for the first time in this bustling market. Starting Tuesday, residents can join the 'Zoox Explorers' program to catch complimentary rides in the company's distinctively designed, box-shaped vehicles across various neighborhoods, including SoMa and the Mission District. As the company expands its fleet, it plans to gradually reduce the current waitlist for potential riders. According to Zoox spokesperson Marisa Wiggam, the aim is to eliminate the waitlist entirely by 2026. Founded in 2014 and acquired by Amazon for a staggering $1.3 billion in 2020, Zoox is carving out its place in the robotaxi sector, providing a different approach by creating vehicles without traditional steering wheels. This innovative design sets them apart from other competitors. Zoox celebrated a significant achievement in September when it launched its robotaxi service to the public in Las Vegas, offering free rides around the Las Vegas Strip while awaiting regulatory approval for a paid service. The company has been refining its autonomous technology in San Francisco since 2017, initially using retrofitted Toyota Highlander SUVs before deploying its uniquely shaped driverless shuttles last year. Previously, only friends and family of Zoox employees could hail rides in certain areas of the city. Currently, Zoox operates a fleet of 50 robotaxis across San Francisco and Las Vegas, as confirmed by the company in September. In contrast, Waymo opened its service to the general public in San Francisco in June 2024 and has provided over 10 million paid rides since its Phoenix launch in 2020. Recently, Waymo announced plans to extend its services to include freeway rides in multiple markets, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, as well as expanding to San Jose and the San Jose Mineta International Airport. As Zoox continues to build its operation, it has also deployed test fleets in cities such as Seattle, Austin, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Washington, D.C. The competition in the robotaxi landscape is heating up, and all eyes are on how both companies will evolve their services in the months ahead.