Zoox, the autonomous vehicle unit of Amazon.com Inc, said it has launched testing operations in Los Angeles, its sixth U.S. city, as it moves forward with plans to deploy its purpose-built robotaxis in urban environments.
The company will begin by operating a small fleet of retrofitted vehicles equipped with LiDAR and other sensors, alongside safety drivers, in a limited area of the city, focusing initially on Hollywood. Fully autonomous testing is expected to begin later this summer following preliminary mapping missions.
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“Similar to our efforts in Austin and Miami, deploying in Los Angeles provides us with an opportunity to gather valuable feedback and insights,” the company said in a statement. “While traffic rules are consistent across different locations, there are a variety of driving conditions, potential roadwork, city events, and other map changes we want to learn about before expanding to other neighborhoods.”
Founded in 2014 and acquired by Amazon in 2020, Zoox is developing an autonomous vehicle designed from the ground up without a steering wheel or pedals. While that vehicle has already begun testing in select areas, most current operations rely on converted electric vehicles to gather real-world driving data and test system performance.
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Zoox first began on-road testing in Foster City, California, in early 2023, followed by an initial deployment in Las Vegas later that year. In early 2024, the company expanded its Las Vegas test zone to cover a five-mile corridor near the Strip, increasing speeds to 45 mph. It has since added test programs in Miami, Austin, San Francisco, and Seattle.
The company said Los Angeles presents both challenges and opportunities. According to Zoox, in 2024, the average Los Angeles driver spent 157 hours in traffic, nearly twice the amount recorded the year before.
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“Zoox sees potential in testing in Los Angeles and is excited to be able to give those that live, work, and travel to LA time back to socialize, relax, or work in the Zoox robotaxi en route to their destination,” it added.
Zoox said it will share updates on when autonomous ride services may become available in Los Angeles as testing progresses. The company also plans to launch public robotaxi rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas later this year, pending regulatory approval.
Source: Zoox