Amazon-owned Zoox has unveiled an updated version of its purpose-built robotaxi as it prepares to launch large-scale production at its manufacturing facility in Hayward, California. The latest iteration incorporates improvements based on feedback from more than half a million riders, extensive testing, and early driverless operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco.
Designed from the ground up exclusively for autonomous ride-hailing, the Zoox robotaxi eliminates traditional driving controls such as a steering wheel, pedals, and driver’s seat. Instead, its fully symmetrical layout features four passengers seated face-to-face in a spacious cabin, creating a unique transportation experience focused entirely on rider comfort.
More Comfortable and Practical Interior
While the signature carriage-style seating remains unchanged, Zoox has introduced several refinishments aimed at improving comfort and usability.
The interior now features a lighter, more minimalist color palette with monochrome aloe-green seats, stone-grey flooring, and matching trim. According to the company, the simplified design reduces visual distractions and creates a calmer environment for passengers.
Comfort has also been enhanced with additional seat padding and redesigned ergonomic headrests. Everyday convenience has received attention as well, with larger cupholders, a redesigned wireless charging pad featuring textured fluting for better device stability, and flooring and trim materials that make personal belongings such as bags and smartphones easier to spot before exiting the vehicle.
A brighter, more vivid touchscreen display has also been introduced to improve the overall user experience.
“The updates we’ve made to this iteration of our purpose-built robotaxi continue to further distinguish the Zoox experience from anything else available today,” said Chris Stoffel, Director of Robot Industrial Design and Studio Engineering. “The simplicity of the elevated interior design does not demand a rider’s attention like so many of the features found in today’s passenger cars. Instead, riders can relax and enjoy the space as they are transported throughout the city.”
Exterior Updates Improve Safety and Communication
Although the robotaxi’s distinctive exterior design remains largely unchanged, Zoox has implemented several functional upgrades.
Its unique bidirectional reflectors have been repositioned and refined to more clearly distinguish the front and rear of the vehicle by changing color, making the autonomous vehicle easier to interpret for pedestrians and other road users.
The company has also upgraded the door interface with a new speaker and microphone while expanding two-way audio capabilities. These improvements enhance communication between passengers and the Zoox support team, while also assisting first responders and other road users when needed.
Production Ready in California
The updated robotaxi represents Zoox’s production-intent vehicle and will soon enter series production at the company’s 20,000-square-meter manufacturing facility in Hayward, California.
The factory has spent the past year producing pre-series vehicles and refining manufacturing processes. With preparations complete, Zoox plans to gradually increase output to as many as 100 robotaxis per week, pending regulatory approval. That would translate to an annual production capacity of approximately 5,000 vehicles, with the facility ultimately designed to support up to 10,000 vehicles per year.
Newly built robotaxis will join Zoox’s growing autonomous ride-hailing fleet later this year as they roll off the production line.
Expansion Beyond Las Vegas and San Francisco
Zoox launched its commercial driverless ride-hailing service in Las Vegas in September 2025 before expanding to San Francisco two months later. The company now plans to broaden its autonomous service footprint with launches in Austin and Miami.
Testing is already underway in several additional cities, including Atlanta, Dallas, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Seattle, and Washington, D.C., laying the groundwork for future commercial deployments.
With production set to ramp up and expansion plans accelerating, the updated robotaxi marks another significant milestone in Zoox’s effort to bring fully autonomous ride-hailing to more cities across the United States. By combining purpose-built vehicle design with scalable manufacturing, the company is positioning itself to compete in the growing autonomous mobility market while delivering a safer, cleaner, and more passenger-focused transportation experience.
