Zoox’s autonomous vehicles are now hitting the streets of Las Vegas, marking a significant stride in the company’s quest to expand its testing capabilities and rival Waymo’s advancements. Amazon.com’s self-driving car unit, Zoox, has announced plans to broaden its testing scope in California and Nevada, encompassing a larger area, higher speeds, and nighttime driving.
The announcement, made on Thursday, pertains to Zoox’s fleet of uniquely designed and constructed vehicles, which resemble toaster ovens on wheels and notably lack traditional manual controls such as steering wheels, pedals, and gear shifters. In addition to its in-house designed vehicles, Zoox operates retrofitted self-driving Toyota Highlanders in various cities, including Seattle, Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City, California.
While Zoox’s initiatives may seem modest compared to Waymo’s expansive plans, such as launching a taxi service in Los Angeles, the company is making significant strides. Zoox has boosted the speed capability of its vehicles to up to 45 miles per hour (72 kph), expanded the Las Vegas operational area to five miles from one mile, and enhanced driving conditions to include light rain and nighttime driving, crucial for gathering comprehensive data.
The ultimate goal, shared by Zoox and its competitors, is to replace human drivers with fully autonomous vehicles, deemed safer and more reliable due to their immunity to human error. However, Zoox has not provided a specific timeline for the widespread adoption of its fully autonomous vehicles.
In summary, Zoox’s expansion in Las Vegas underscores its commitment to advancing autonomous vehicle technology and competing in the rapidly evolving landscape of self-driving transportation.
