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Amazon’s Zoox Starts Free Robotaxi Rides in San Francisco

The limited rollout serves as a step toward fare authorization from California regulators.

Overview

  • Service is restricted to select San Francisco neighborhoods and is available only to people on a waitlist.
  • Rides use Zoox’s purpose-built, gondola-style vehicles that operate without a steering wheel or pedals.
  • Zoox is not charging fares as it awaits state approval to transition from promotional rides to paid service.
  • Rival Waymo already charges riders, is operating in multiple U.S. cities and on some highways, and announced plans to add Miami, Dallas, San Antonio, Houston and Orlando with rides expected in 2026.
  • Amazon is scaling Zoox production at a converted Hayward, California plant targeting up to 10,000 vehicles per year and is signaling expansions to cities such as Austin and Miami after a recent Las Vegas launch.