Amazon's Zoox is turning its Las Vegas robotaxi service into a real business, starting to charge for rides on August 10 after nearly a year of free public rides. The move marks the launch of the company's commercial operations.
The company said fares will be built on a base charge plus distance and time traveled from pick-up to drop-off, with pricing similar to the "comfort" tier offered by other ride-hailing companies. Destination-specific fees, such as airport trips, will be disclosed upfront.
Riders won't pay more if the robotaxi takes a longer route than planned, and the final fee will be visible before booking.
The commercial launch follows a critical regulatory step. In July, federal regulators issued Zoox a temporary exemption from rules requiring human controls, clearing the way for it to charge fares.
The exemption was necessary because the purpose-built vehicle lacks a steering wheel, brake pedal, and mirrors, the controls normally required for human drivers.
Since launching free rides last year, Zoox has transported nearly one million passengers across Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, and Miami. The company also offers free robotaxi service in San Francisco and Austin, though it still needs additional permits to operate commercially in California.
Zoox has not disclosed when it will begin charging in other cities, and it will need state and local approvals to expand paid service beyond Las Vegas. For now, the toaster-shaped, purpose-built robotaxi, designed from scratch rather than converted from an existing car, will collect fares in the city.
