Source: The Verge
Summary
Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, has started testing its robotaxis in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The testing is a precursor to launching commercial robotaxis in those cities, pending federal approval. The company is still waiting for permission to operate its purpose-built autonomous vehicles (AVs) commercially.
Our Reading
The launch follows a familiar script.
Zoox is testing its robotaxis in two new cities, because what’s new is always better. The company’s “purpose-built AV” is just a fancy way of saying “car without a driver”. Amazon’s ownership is no surprise, because who doesn’t love a good oligopoly? The testing is a necessary step before Zoox can launch its commercial robotaxis, because someone has to make sure the robots don’t crash.
It’s just another iteration of the same old promise: robotaxis are coming, and they’ll change everything. Just you wait.
Author: Evan Null
