Zoox Robotaxis Are Now Available for Free Rides in San Francisco - Here's How to Get Yours
I have some exciting news for those of you in San Francisco! Remember Zoox, the robotaxi company that Amazon acquired a few years back? Well, their self-driving vehicles are now offering rides to the public in your city. And I think that's really cool.
They've launched a program called "Zoox Explorers," and if you live in San Francisco, you can download their app and join the waitlist for a chance to snag a free ride. Seriously, who doesn't love free stuff?
Now, these Zoox vehicles aren't your typical cars. They're designed specifically as robotaxis, which means there's no steering wheel or pedals. Instead, the interior has two bench seats facing each other, kind of like a fancy ferris wheel gondola. Personally, I think it's a clever design that maximizes space and encourages conversation between passengers.
Currently, the Zoox Explorers program covers the Mission, SoMa, and Design District neighborhoods in San Francisco. What's interesting is that these areas are also frequented by Waymo vehicles, another player in the self-driving car game. It'll be fascinating to see how these two companies coexist and compete on the streets of San Francisco.
If you get accepted into the program, Zoox will notify you when you can start requesting rides. However, keep in mind that you won't be able to take over the driving. But you will have control over the temperature and music, and you can even initiate an emergency stop if needed – or what I would call "the holy s**t button"
Source: Gizmodo