Zoox's Robotaxis Hit Austin Streets: First Rides for Employees

0:00It's March 25th. Welcome to El Paso News Today, powered by AI. I'm Cory with the story. Zoax is gearing up to test its driverless robo taxes on the streets of Austin, Texas, marking a big step for autonomous vehicles in the city. Unlike Waymo's service, these tests from Zoax have no set start date yet, but they'll also roll out in Miami while expanding rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The company calls this their year of growth, building on evaluations with a retrofitted testing fleet that began in mid-2024, both Austin and Miami. These upcoming trials represent the next phase in safely scaling up their robo taxi operations nationwide. For now, initial rides will be limited to Zoax employees, along with their families and friends, to gather early feedback in real-world conditions. Later this year, a waitlist opens in Austin for an early rider program offering free trips to volunteers who share their input. Zoax vehicles compact with safety tech, including seatbelt monitors, active suspension for

1:03better handling, wrap around airbags, and a full three. 160-degree view using cameras, lidar, and radar. Remote operators stand ready to assist if needed. As Zoax pushes forward, riders and more cities can look ahead to a unique autonomous experience designed with safety first, steadily bringing robo taxis closer to everyday