Amazon.com’s robotaxi unit Zoox announced on Wednesday that it will start testing its self-driving cars in Austin, Texas, and Miami. This will be the first time Zoox tests its cars outside of the western United States.
Zoox will use modified Toyota Highlanders for the tests. These cars will have human safety drivers. The tests will take place in small areas near the business and entertainment parts of both cities.
In California and Nevada, Zoox has been testing its own self-driving cars. These cars don’t have steering wheels or pedals. They can carry four passengers, with two facing each other.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is currently investigating 500 Zoox vehicles. These vehicles have automated driving systems. The investigation started after two crashes.
Austin and Miami will be the fourth and fifth places where Zoox publicly tests its cars. Zoox already tests its cars in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Seattle.
Zoox won’t offer rides to the public in Austin and Miami for now. But it’s looking at several cities where it might offer commercial rides. It initially launched its service in Las Vegas and San Francisco.
Other companies that have self-driving robotaxi services, like General Motors’ Cruise and Alphabet’s Waymo, are also being investigated by the NHTSA. This is about how well their self-driving cars perform.
Cruise recently said it started operating again in Dallas, Texas. It had paused its operations after an incident in San Francisco last October involving one of its robotaxis.
