Key facts
- Zoox has expanded its commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas to include rides to and from Harry Reid International Airport.
- The service to the airport begins on Thursday.
- Zoox received a temporary exemption from federal safety regulators in August, allowing it to charge for rides.
- The exemption permits Zoox to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles.
- Zoox is the only robotaxi company currently operating a service to the Las Vegas airport.
Amazon-owned Zoox has expanded its commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas to include rides to and from Harry Reid International Airport, beginning Thursday. The company spent over a decade developing its custom robotaxi, which lacks traditional controls like a steering wheel and pedals.
Zoox received a temporary exemption in August from federal safety regulators, allowing it to charge for rides and deploy up to 2,500 vehicles. This exemption covers eight federal motor vehicle safety standards, including windshield defrosting and light vehicle braking systems.
The expansion to the airport provides Zoox with an advantage over traditional ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft, as its robotaxis will pick up and drop off riders directly at the terminals near baggage claim. Currently, Zoox is the only robotaxi company operating a service to the Las Vegas airport.
However, competition is increasing. Tesla, Uber, and Waymo have all received permits from the Nevada Transportation Authority to operate commercial robotaxi services in Clark County, home to Las Vegas. These permits collectively allow for the deployment of up to 8,000 robotaxis in the county over the next 12 months.