Amazon announced it will test drive its robotaxis on the streets of D.C.
Its self-driving vehicle, known as the Zoox, will join the Waymo vehicles already testing in the District.
Built by the company itself, Zoox vehicles have seats that face one another and doors that open on both sides. It can go forward and backward easily.
It isn’t the traditional robotaxi because it’s basically its own unique vehicle, not a car that is transformed into a robotaxi.
The National Mall and downtown likely are the areas where the autonomous vehicles will roll.
Zoox said it specifically chose D.C. as a test market because of its complex and unique street layout with circles, diagonal avenues, and high pedestrian and bicycle traffic. Before the actual robotaxi rolls out streets will be mapped by SUVs loaded with sophisticated equipment.
“Before we move into a new community, we do a whole lot of community outreach,” said Justin Clemens of Zoox vehicle operations in a video released by Zoox. “We don’t want to disturb neighborhoods. We want to come in and work in tandem together to make sure that we are operating and deploying the vehicles safely.”
A driver always will be along for the ride as part of this test.
Zoox vehicles already are being tested in the San Francisco area, Las Vegas, Seattle, Austin, Miami, L.A. and Atlanta.
Waymo hopes to start picking up passengers for rides in D.C. next year.
A D.C. Department of Transportation spokesperson sent News4 this statement: “The District Department of Transportation confirms that the autonomous vehicle company Zoox has begun mapping in the District of Columbia with a small fleet of vehicles as part of early autonomous vehicle testing. DDOT met with the company in advance and received proper notification, as required by law. Currently, the vehicles are only mapping at this stage and are not yet using automated driving systems. A driver with their hands on the wheel will be driving each vehicle. DDOT is updating its proposed regulations to ensure any future testing continues to be done safely and with transparency. The revised rules will be open for public comment once published.”
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