Zoox and Uber Announce Robotaxi Partnership Starting in Las Vegas
TECHNOLOGY
Zoox robotaxis will roll out on Uber in Las Vegas this summer and Los Angeles in 2027.
Zoox and Uber Technologies, Inc. (NYSE: UBER) have announced a strategic partnership to deploy Zoox purpose-built robotaxis on the Uber platform. The collaboration marks the first time Amazon-owned Zoox has partnered with a third-party platform, expanding access to autonomous vehicles for Uber riders.
Multi-City Deployment Timeline
The partnership is planned to launch in Las Vegas this summer and in Los Angeles by mid-2027. Zoox robotaxis will be available through the Uber app, with riders having the opportunity to be matched with a Zoox robotaxi on eligible trips after launch.
Zoox will continue to offer its service through the Zoox app in both Las Vegas and Los Angeles, maintaining dual distribution channels. This approach allows Zoox to serve riders through both its proprietary app and Uber's established platform.
Purpose-Built Vehicle Design
Zoox robotaxis are unique in that they are not retrofitted passenger cars. Instead, they are built specifically for ride-hailing and designed for comfort, conversation, and connection with friends and family. The vehicles have been nicknamed "toasters" due to their distinctive shape, featuring a low step, automatically opening and closing doors, and seats that face each other.
Aicha Evans, CEO of Zoox, explained the partnership's strategic value. "We are excited to partner with Uber, a company that shares our vision for transforming mobility," Evans said. "This partnership is an opportunity to continue advancing the use of autonomous mobility in daily life. Through our collaboration, Zoox will provide a differentiated rider experience to those who already know and love the convenience of riding with Uber."
Uber's Autonomous Vehicle Strategy
Dara Khosrowshahi, CEO of Uber, emphasized Zoox's unique vehicle technology. "The Zoox robotaxi is unlike any other vehicle on the planet, it was purpose-built from the ground up to deliver an extraordinary experience," Khosrowshahi said. "Zoox's commitment to safety and their advanced autonomous driving technology make them an ideal partner."
Uber currently offers autonomous vehicle rides in Abu Dhabi, Atlanta, Austin, Dallas, Dubai, Phoenix, and Riyadh. The company expects to facilitate AV trips in as many as 15 cities globally by the end of 2026 and intends to be the largest facilitator of AV trips in the world by 2029.
During Uber's fourth-quarter earnings call in February, Khosrowshahi told analysts that autonomous vehicles available via Uber's app attain significantly higher utilization than robotaxis hailed on standalone platforms. Trips per AV per day are 30% higher on Uber, according to the company.
Regulatory Pathway
Before commercial deployment can begin, Zoox still needs approval from the federal government to commercially deploy its robotaxis, which don't have a steering wheel or pedals. This requires exemptions from the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS).
On Tuesday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began taking public comment on Zoox's application for those exemptions. Zoox currently has an exemption that allows the custom-built robotaxis to operate as a demonstration, not commercially.
Zoox is pursuing federal permission to put as many as 2,500 of its vehicles into commercial service on U.S. roads. If and when Zoox gets approval, the company plans to launch its own commercial robotaxi service first, before making the vehicles available on Uber in Las Vegas.
Competitive Landscape
The partnership positions both companies in an increasingly competitive autonomous vehicle market. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020, but the company is significantly behind Alphabet's Waymo, the U.S. robotaxi leader. Waymo reported in February that it had surpassed 400,000 weekly rides across six U.S. metro areas and is now operating commercially in 10 U.S. cities.
Uber already arranges Waymo rides on its app in Austin, Atlanta, and Phoenix. The ride-hailing giant has more than 20 autonomous partnerships in the U.S. and abroad, mainly in the Middle East. Uber has partnerships with companies including Lucid Group Inc., Wayve Technologies Ltd., and Baidu Inc.
Zoox Operations to Date
Over the past year, Zoox began commercial service in Las Vegas and launched the Zoox Explorers program in San Francisco. The company has logged more than one million autonomous miles and served over 300,000 riders to date. While Zoox has served hundreds of thousands of riders, the company is not yet offering paid rides.
The partnership could provide validation for Uber's bid to become the leading aggregator of robotaxi services and a commercial partner for companies developing self-driving technology. For Zoox, the collaboration offers accelerated access to Uber's established rider base and platform infrastructure.
Zoox is based in Foster City, California, and is focused on reinventing personal transportation by building a safer, cleaner, and more enjoyable future on the road.