Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has inaugurated its first significant production facility, aiming to produce 10,000 robotaxis annually. This development represents a pivotal transition for Zoox, moving beyond its initial development phase.
The company is currently conducting vehicle tests in several U.S. cities and provides rides to early-access users in Las Vegas. This early-rider program is set to extend to San Francisco later this year, alongside the introduction of paid public rides in Las Vegas.
Located in Hayward, California, the new 220,000-square-foot factory sits close to Zoox’s headquarters in Foster City and serves as its second production site in the Bay Area, complementing an existing assembly warehouse in Fremont.
The Hayward facility is intended for engineering, software and hardware integration, assembly, storage, and vehicle testing. It will produce tailor-made Zoox robotaxis for various commercial markets, starting with Las Vegas and subsequently extending to San Francisco. Furthermore, Zoox anticipates launching commercial robotaxi services in Austin and Miami within the next few years.
The building features a “unique layout and building equipment” that will allow for adaptations to evolving vehicle designs as the company’s robotaxi range expands. The facility will employ a combination of human labor and robots, with humans undertaking the majority of tasks. According to Zoox, robots will support specific functions, such as applying adhesive for glass installations and facilitating the movement of robotaxis through the assembly process.
Correction: This article has been revised to accurately represent the status of Zoox’s early-rider program and the upcoming launch of paid rides this year in Las Vegas.