Amazon’s self-driving car unit, Zoox, has recently announced plans to expand its testing of autonomous vehicles in California and Nevada to include a wider area, higher speeds, and nighttime driving in order to keep up with its competitor, Waymo. Zoox’s fleet of vehicles, which it designed and built itself, resemble toaster ovens on wheels and lack manual controls like steering wheels, pedals, and gear shifters. The company also utilizes retrofitted self-driving Toyota Highlanders in various cities. This move by Zoox is in response to Waymo’s recent announcement of launching a taxi service in Los Angeles in addition to its existing markets.
## Increased Speed and Range
Zoox has stated that it will allow its specially designed vehicles to drive at speeds up to 45 miles per hour, up from 35 mph. Additionally, the company has expanded the areas in which the cars can travel in Las Vegas to five miles from one mile, exposing the vehicles to busier conditions. This expansion aims to gather more data and improve the efficiency of the autonomous vehicles.
## Nighttime Driving and Rain Testing
In addition to increased speeds and range, Zoox vehicles will now also be able to operate in light rain and at night. This is crucial for the company to gather additional data and improve the safety and reliability of its self-driving technology. By operating in different weather conditions and times of day, Zoox aims to ensure that its autonomous vehicles can navigate various scenarios effectively.
## Future of Autonomous Vehicles
Similar to its competitors, Zoox envisions a future where human drivers are replaced by fully self-driving vehicles that are safer and more reliable due to the elimination of human error. While Zoox has not provided a specific timeline for when it expects its fully autonomous vehicles to become mainstream, the company is dedicated to advancing its technology to achieve this goal.
## Challenges and Setbacks
Rival General Motors’ Cruise faced setbacks in its testing of robotaxis when regulators alleged that executives withheld evidence from an accident involving one of its vehicles in San Francisco. The incident raised concerns about the safety and oversight of autonomous vehicles, prompting Cruise to halt its testing temporarily. This highlights the challenges and regulatory scrutiny faced by companies in the self-driving car industry.
## Amazon’s Acquisition of Zoox
Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for over $1 billion, sparking speculation about the e-commerce giant’s potential use of the autonomous vehicles for delivery purposes. While there have been rumors about leveraging Zoox’s technology for delivery services to reduce driver costs, the company has not made any official announcements regarding its future plans beyond robotaxis. Amazon’s ownership of Zoox positions the company to leverage autonomous vehicle technology for various applications in the future.
In conclusion, Zoox’s expansion of its testing program for self-driving vehicles reflects the company’s efforts to enhance its technology, compete with rivals, and pave the way for a future of autonomous transportation. By increasing speeds, expanding range, and testing in different conditions, Zoox aims to improve the safety, reliability, and efficiency of its autonomous vehicles. As the self-driving car industry continues to evolve, companies like Zoox and Waymo are at the forefront of innovation, shaping the future of transportation without human drivers.