During CES 2025, the Las Vegas Strip was one adventurous ride in a Zoox autonomous taxi. From tricky traffic scenarios to a quiet ride home, Zoox showed off its self-driving prowess. Despite some mid-ride hiccups, the autonomous vehicle (AV) proved promising.
Streaming through the Chaos with Zoox
From handling complex driving situations – or “edge cases” – to ensuring passenger comfort, Zoox’s ambitious aim is to make its driverless cabs as mundane as hailing a rideshare vehicle. The progress made by its global team, spanning Las Vegas to the United Kingdom, is commendable.
New Generation of Zoox AVs
Zoox’s new generation autonomous vehicle sports several hardware upgrades since its last model. CTO Jesse Levinson revealed that changes spanned across brakes, suspension, drive units and more robust computers. Additional features include a comfy bench, upgraded touchscreen interface, and an exterior audio system for improved communication.
The Amazon-owned enterprise began testing Zoox’s unique electric robotaxis on Las Vegas’s public streets more than a year ago. Currently focused on private tests, Zoox plans to open up to the public in Las Vegas and San Francisco in 2025.
Journeying Down the Strip
The Zoox autonomous rides felt safe, accelerating and changing lanes smoothly. Nevertheless, the self-driving system behaved like a novice driver at times, particularly at construction zones and traffic lights. The overall ride exhibited a safer approach but Zoox needs to address the comfort aspect.
Challenges Ahead
Zoox’s true achievement was efficiently handling complex scenarios involving car crashes. However, flawless autonomous rides alone won’t ensure a successful business. A solid foundation is crucial before opening up to the public, and these two rides show Zoox’s readiness for this next big step.
Original source: Read the full article on TechCrunch
