Amazon Zoox taps Uber platform to accelerate robotaxi rollout

Amazon’s autonomous vehicle company Zoox is preparing to bring its self-driving vehicles to the Uber app in Las Vegas this summer.

The partnership allows riders to request Zoox vehicles directly through Uber while the company continues operating its own app.

The collaboration reflects growing momentum around autonomous mobility as technology firms and transport platforms compete to scale driverless ride services.

Zoox has spent years developing its vehicles and testing driverless operations, and the integration with Uber signals a push to reach more riders as the robotaxi race intensifies.

Uber integration

Under a multiyear partnership announced Wednesday, Zoox robotaxis will become available through the Uber app in Las Vegas starting this summer.

The companies also plan to launch Zoox rides through Uber in Los Angeles next year.

Zoox will continue offering rides through its own application in both cities.

The agreement represents Zoox’s first partnership with a third-party ride-hailing service.

Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 and has invested heavily in developing autonomous vehicles designed for urban transport.

The collaboration with Uber marks a step toward wider distribution as the company attempts to scale its driverless service.

Robotaxi competition

Zoox is entering a competitive robotaxi market where several companies are expanding autonomous ride services.

Alphabet’s Waymo remains the leading robotaxi operator in the US.

Waymo said in February it had surpassed 400,000 weekly rides across six US metro areas.

The company operates commercially in 10 cities and plans expansion to London and Tokyo in 2026.

Competition is also intensifying in Asia. Baidu reported that its Apollo Go robotaxi service recorded peak weekly rides above 300,000 during the fourth quarter.

Chinese developers, including WeRide and Pony.AI, are also expanding autonomous vehicle services.

Tesla has launched a Robotaxi-branded ride-hailing service and mobile application and has begun testing driverless vehicles in Austin.

Platform strategy

Uber is positioning its platform as a marketplace for autonomous vehicles developed by different technology companies.

During Uber’s fourth-quarter earnings call in February, chief executive Dara Khosrowshahi said autonomous vehicles available through Uber achieve higher usage than robotaxis accessed through standalone apps.

Trips per autonomous vehicle per day are roughly 30% higher on Uber than on independent platforms, according to data referenced by the company.

Uber already offers driverless ride options in Atlanta, Austin, Dallas and Phoenix in the US and in several Middle East cities through partnerships with technology firms.

By the end of 2026, Uber aims to offer driverless rides in 15 cities globally.

Testing and regulation

Zoox began offering free driverless rides last year around the Las Vegas Strip and certain San Francisco neighbourhoods.

The company said it has served more than 300,000 riders but has not yet launched paid trips.

Earlier this week, Zoox announced an expansion of its testing efforts across several cities in the southern United States.

The vehicles can reach a top speed of 75 mph, but typically operate at or below 45 mph during city trips.

Zoox is seeking an exemption from US regulators to deploy its robotaxis commercially.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration opened public comments Tuesday on Zoox’s petition to operate up to 2,500 vehicles on US roads.