Zoox to Start Charging for Robotaxi Rides in Las Vegas

After nearly a year of offering its robotaxi service to the public in Las Vegas for free, Zoox is finally ready to start charging for those rides.

Zoox Receives Federal Exemption to Operate Commercially

The Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle technology company said that it will start charging for rides in Las Vegas starting August 10, marking the launch of its commercial operations. The company has spent years working towards this moment, and the news comes after it received a temporary exemption from certain federal motor vehicle safety standards.

The exemption, issued by National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), allows the company to charge customers for rides in its robotaxi. Because Zoox vehicles lack many of the traditional controls required under federal law, it needed an exemption in order to operate.

Background on Zoox

Zoox was founded in 2014 with a plan to develop a custom-built electric vehicle and the self-driving stack that would drive it, as well as an on-demand ride-sharing app. The company was acquired by Amazon in 2020, and later that year unveiled its robotaxi, a cube-like vehicle equipped with a self-driving system, loads of sensors, and a moonroof, but no steering wheel or pedals.

Challenges Faced by Zoox

Zoox has faced a number of hurdles over its 12 years, including funding, technical development, securing the proper permits for testing, and even several recalls. One major obstacle was lifted last week, when federal safety regulators gave Zoox a temporary exemption from certain federal motor vehicle safety standards.

How Zoox Robotaxi Fares Will Be Calculated

Zoox said robotaxi fares will be calculated based on a base fare, plus distance and time traveled from pick-up to drop-off. The company said the final fee will be calculated based on the best route, and be visible before booking. That fare will not change even if the Zoox robotaxi ends up taking a different route.

• Destination fees, such as trips to or from the airport, or a high-traffic event at the Sphere or T-Mobile Arena may also be included in the pricing.
• Zoox said it is trying to be competitive with the "comfort" pricing levels offered by traditional ride-hail services.

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Next Steps for Zoox

Zoox will have to offer robotaxis in other markets, such as San Francisco and Austin, for free for now. In California, Zoox still needs two more permits to operate commercially.