Amazon’s autonomous vehicle division, Zoox, is set to commence mapping and data collection in Atlanta, Georgia, as it prepares to test its self-driving technology and eventually provide public rides in the city. Atlanta will be the seventh location in the U.S. where Zoox will conduct these trials.
This announcement follows closely on the heels of Waymo’s partnership with Uber, which revealed plans to start offering rides through its own robotaxi service to selected users in Atlanta ahead of a broader launch slated for this summer.
Zoox’s approach to introducing its robotaxi service is deliberate. Initially, the company will deploy modified Toyota Highlander vehicles in Atlanta to gather crucial data, such as road geometries and traffic light placements. This groundwork is essential before advancing to testing its autonomous vehicle solutions.
Currently, Zoox is also conducting tests with its bespoke robotaxi—without a safety operator—across various Californian cities like Foster City and San Francisco, as well as in Las Vegas, Nevada. The firm aims to initiate public rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas by the end of this year.
To facilitate these efforts, Zoox is diligently refining its autonomous vehicle technology. Notably, the company has implemented software updates in response to issues encountered during testing, leading to recalls issued in March and May of this year.
As Zoox enters this new phase in Atlanta, it aims to position itself within the evolving landscape of autonomous transportation, signalling its readiness to compete with other players in the growing robotaxi market.
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