Amazon's Zoox launches its autonomous robotaxi service

Amazon's Zoox has announced that its robotaxi service is now available on and around the Las Vegas Strip after months of testing. The autonomous rides are free and can be booked through the Zoox app for iOS and Android devices. This is the company's first official service launch after Amazon acquired the self-driving startup in 2020.

The Las Vegas service will operate at select pickup and drop-off locations along the Strip, and riders will enter and exit the vehicles at each destination's ride-hail zone. Though the company didn't provide an exhaustive list of locations, Resorts World Las Vegas and AREA15 are official partner destinations. They will both feature dedicated areas just for Zoox riders, with an on-site concierge service to walk riders through the app and answer questions.

The company's autonomous vehicle is an odd duck, with two bench-like seats facing each other and ...