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Zoox, the Amazon-owned company, is launching public robotaxi services in San Francisco after years of testing. The initiative targets early adopters via a waitlist program offering free rides in custom-built vehicles without steering wheels. While not a full commercial launch, the move marks progress toward competing with Waymo and expanding its service area. Zoox aims to eliminate the waitlist by 2026, with current operations covering specific neighborhoods in the city. Regulatory hurdles remain, including federal approvals for commercial operations and state permits for ride-hailing services.

Key facts

• Zoox is offering limited public robotaxi rides in San Francisco’s SoMa, Mission, and Design District neighborhoods.
• The early rider program provides free access to select waitlist participants using the Zoox app.
• The company plans to expand its service area and remove the waitlist entirely by 2026.
• Zoox operates approximately 50 custom-built robotaxis in San Francisco and Las Vegas.
• Regulatory approvals from NHTSA and California’s Public Utilities Commission are required for full commercial operations.