Despite the progress, the article also highlights the safety concerns and regulatory hurdles faced by autonomous vehicle companies. Incidents involving Zoox, Waymo, and Cruise have led to investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. However, these companies argue that AI and driverless tech could reduce road accidents caused by human error. Zoox has also worked with first responders to ensure they know how to handle incidents involving their unique vehicles.
Key takeaways:
- Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, is testing its self-driving vehicles in San Francisco and Las Vegas, with plans to launch commercially in the coming months.
- The Zoox robotaxi is designed from the ground up for passengers, with a "carriage-style" design that includes no steering wheel, pedals, or driver's seat. Instead, it features a spacious center with plenty of legroom and a touchscreen for controlling temperature, playing music, or looking at a route map.
- Zoox's robotaxi is symmetrical and bidirectional, meaning it never has to reverse out of a parking spot. It's also all-electric, like Waymo's and Cruise's fleets.
- Despite concerns about safety and acceptance, Zoox and other companies believe that autonomous vehicles could reduce accidents caused by human error. Zoox has also worked with first responders to ensure they know how to handle incidents involving their unique vehicles.