Amazon launches robotaxis in Las Vegas and gives away free rides

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Amazon’s autonomous taxi venture, Zoox, has formally commenced its ride-sharing service in Las Vegas. Following two years of local testing, the service is now providing complimentary rides to the general public.

Initially, driverless cars were only accessible by employees, later expanding to include friends and family. However, as of September 10, these cars are open to everyone who has the Zoox app. Now, you can request a ride within five specific destinations on the Strip, such as Resorts World, Luxor, and New York-New York. The service will cater trips up to three miles long, with a maximum capacity of four passengers.

Zoox announces that during the initial phase, rides will be complimentary to build recognition. Once pricing is introduced, it’s anticipated that fares will resemble those of conventional taxis and services like Uber and Lyft. At present, the company operates approximately 50 vehicles, mainly in Nevada, with the majority being based there.

Amazon-backed expansion

In 2020, Amazon purchased Zoox for $1.2 billion. Since then, Zoox has strived to set itself apart from competitors by producing its own self-driving vehicles at a former bus factory in Hayward, California. With plans to produce up to 10,000 robotaxis annually as it expands into various markets.

In simpler terms, Zoox’s debut event in Las Vegas marks their initial move to challenge Waymo, a company originating from Google, which has been offering autonomous rides in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin. Tesla too is experimenting with its much-awaited robotaxi service in Texas.

Zoox plans to expand to San Francisco for public use in 2026, followed by Austin and Miami.

This development follows the launch of Tesla’s Robotaxis, Elon Musk’s electric vehicle company, which took place in Texas in June.

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2025-09-10 19:19