Zoox offers its first public autonomous rides in San Francisco - The Robot Report

Zoox has launched its Zoox Explorers program in San Francisco, offering the public free autonomous rides as part of a pilot to gather feedback and refine its robotaxi service before wider deployment. The company, which has been testing autonomous technology in San Francisco since 2017, invites early riders from its waitlist to experience rides within key neighborhoods such as SoMa, Mission, and the Design District. Zoox’s vehicle is uniquely designed for autonomous driving, lacking traditional controls like a steering wheel or driver’s seat, and features two rows of seats facing each other. Riders can hail the robotaxi via the Zoox app and select destinations within the service area, with drop-offs near the final location accompanied by walking directions. Zoox’s San Francisco initiative follows its earlier launch of a fully driverless ride-hailing service in Las Vegas, marking it as the first company to operate purpose-built robotaxis without safety drivers in that city. The company is also testing fleets in multiple other U.S. cities,