Robotaxi market: Uber teams up with Amazon subsidiary Zoox

Uber integrates robotaxis from Amazon subsidiary Zoox into its platform. As the ride-hailing company announced, the partnership will initially start in Las Vegas and be expanded to Los Angeles next year. The aim is to expand the offering of autonomous ride services in several US cities.

Vehicles without a steering wheel and pedals

The vehicles used are specially developed robotaxis from Zoox. The cars have neither a steering wheel nor pedals. They offer seating for four passengers who sit facing each other inside the cabin. They are structurally distinct from conventional passenger cars.

Zoox is already testing its vehicles in Las Vegas and San Francisco. There, the robotaxis have so far been operating to a limited extent and transport passengers without payment. For regular commercial operation, however, vehicles without traditional controls require approval from the relevant U.S. authorities.

Platform strategy with multiple providers

Uber, according to its own statements, aims to establish itself as a central platform for robotaxis from various providers. In Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix, the company already dispatches autonomous vehicles from Google's sister company Waymo.

Furthermore, Uber plans to bring Lucid's electric cars with autonomous driving technology from the startup Nuro onto the platform. This would add further vehicle types and technology partners to the offering.