During CES 2025, I experienced two test rides in Zoox's latest autonomous robotaxi on the bustling Las Vegas Strip, encountering everything from construction zones to car crashes. While the rides showcased impressive capabilities, they also revealed areas still needing refinement.
The next-generation Zoox vehicle features numerous hardware upgrades, including enhanced suspension, brakes, and more powerful computers. Notable improvements include a more comfortable bench seat and an updated touchscreen interface. The robotaxi also sports a new two-way audio system for communicating with first responders and law enforcement.
In complex scenarios, the autonomous system demonstrated remarkable competence. When encountering a car accident scene, the robotaxi intelligently assessed the situation, backed up slowly, and smoothly merged into another lane - all without human intervention. The vehicle handled lane changes confidently and maintained steady acceleration throughout the rides.
However, some driving behaviors still mirror those of an inexperienced driver. At construction zones, rather than merging early like most human drivers would, the robotaxi drove up to the cone barrier before changing lanes. The vehicle also occasionally applied brakes too abruptly when stopping at traffic lights, creating a slightly jarring experience.
The Amazon-owned company has been testing these purpose-built electric robotaxis on Las Vegas public streets since June 2023. While currently limited to media and employee demonstrations, Zoox plans to launch public services in both Las Vegas and San Francisco later in 2025.
The overall experience felt remarkably normal despite riding in a vehicle without a steering wheel or human driver. The rides demonstrated that while Zoox's technology isn't perfect, it's approaching the reliability needed for public deployment. The company's progress suggests autonomous ride-hailing services may soon become as commonplace as traditional rideshare options.
These test rides revealed a system that prioritizes safety while handling complex urban scenarios. Though some comfort refinements remain necessary, Zoox appears positioned to take the next step toward public availability of their autonomous service.