Zoox Trials Self-Driving Cars in Washington D.C. Soon

09/30/2025 Transportation

Guess what? Zoox, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon, is hitting the streets of Washington D.C.! I think it's a smart move, really. They're not just diving in headfirst; they're starting by mapping the city using Toyota Highlanders fitted with their tech. It makes total sense because you need to know the terrain before unleashing self-driving cars.

The reason they've chosen D.C. is pretty straightforward. As they mentioned, the city has a growing population and a big need for different ways to get around. It’s perfect for testing and refining their autonomous tech on the East Coast. I mean, think about it: navigating D.C. traffic is no joke, so if they can make it there, they can make it anywhere!

While Zoox is keeping the exact number of test vehicles under wraps, they're starting with a small fleet. So, don't expect to see robotaxis on every corner just yet. They'll expand as things progress, which is a sensible approach, in my opinion. You can't rush perfection, especially when it involves self-driving cars.

Based in California, Zoox has been expanding its testing grounds beyond Silicon Valley for a while now. They’re already running tests in several major cities like Austin, Atlanta, Los Angeles, and Miami. D.C. will be their eighth test location, showing just how serious they are about getting this technology right.

Ultimately, Zoox wants to launch a robotaxi service. They've already launched a free robotaxi service in Las Vegas. Last November, Zoox began testing its custom self-driving vehicles in San Francisco. They’re even working with custom-built robotaxis that ditch the steering wheel and pedals, which sounds like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. It's a bold vision, and I'm curious to see how it plays out.

However, there are still some hurdles to clear. Zoox needs the green light from regulators to roll out their driverless vehicles commercially. They did get an exemption to test these vehicles, but that’s just for research and demonstrations. Zoox has applied for a broader exemption that would allow them to launch a full-blown robotaxi service.

So, while you might not be hailing a Zoox robotaxi tomorrow, keep an eye on Washington D.C. because the future of transportation might just be driving around the corner.