Amazon-owned autonomous mobility company Zoox has officially launched public robotaxi rides in San Francisco through its new Zoox Explorers program, marking a major step forward in the company’s commercial deployment roadmap. The move positions Zoox as one of the leading players in the urban robotaxi race, joining competitors already testing driverless services in the city.
According to the company, the program will allow selected residents—chosen from a waitlist—to experience free autonomous rides in specific San Francisco neighborhoods, including SoMa, the Mission District, and the Design District. The initiative aims to gather real-world user feedback while showcasing Zoox’s fully autonomous, purpose-built robotaxi, which operates without a steering wheel, pedals, or a traditional driver cabin.
Zoox’s unique vehicle design features four individual seats arranged face-to-face, advanced sensor arrays, and a proprietary software system that manages perception, navigation, and real-time decision-making. The robotaxi operates at speeds of up to 35 mph within defined geofenced zones, which have been mapped and tested extensively over the past several years.
The launch comes after years of supervised testing in both San Francisco and Las Vegas, where Zoox has accumulated millions of autonomous miles. The Explorers program is the company’s largest step toward integrating fully autonomous vehicles into public mobility networks. While the service remains free and non-commercial for now, the gradual expansion of test riders indicates Zoox’s ambition to scale into a fully paid robotaxi platform in the future.
Industry analysts note that Zoox’s entry into public operations intensifies the competition in the autonomous mobility sector. With its distinct vehicle architecture and backing from Amazon, the company is expected to accelerate innovation in last-mile transport, smart city integration, and sustainable urban mobility.
Zoox stated that expanding the program further will depend on feedback, regulatory approvals, and fleet availability. As the company continues to refine its technology, San Francisco residents will play an essential role in shaping the future of autonomous ride-hailing.
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