Amazon-owned Zoox unveiled an updated version of its toaster-shaped, purpose-built robotaxi on June 24, 2026, presenting a production-intent model ahead of planned U.S. scale-up [1, 2, 3, 4]. The refreshed design adds ergonomic padded seats with headrests, a lighter interior color scheme featuring aloe green seats and stone grey trim, larger cupholders, and a more visible touchscreen interface to improve rider comfort [1, 2, 3, 4].
The robotaxi’s exterior also received key updates including enlarged and repositioned bidirectional reflectors and two-way audio with a speaker and microphone, enabling better communication between riders, support staff, and first responders [1, 2, 4]. Despite these changes, the core vehicle architecture remains unchanged: it has no steering wheel or pedals, features four inward-facing carriage-style seats, can drive bidirectionally, uses four-wheel steering, and reaches a top speed of up to 75 mph [1, 2, 3].
Zoox currently operates free robotaxi service in limited areas of Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, and Miami, while testing in six additional U.S. cities is ongoing [1, 4]. Since its launch in Las Vegas in September 2025, the service has carried over 500,000 riders [1].
The company intends to expand to more U.S. markets later this year and transition to paid rides. Part of this plan involves integrating Zoox rides into Uber’s app in Las Vegas [1, 4]. Zoox is also awaiting regulatory approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for an exemption that would allow it to operate up to 2,500 driverless robotaxis commercially on public roads; the petition entered review after public comments closed in early April 2026 [1, 4].
Zoox’s Hayward, California production facility, opened in June 2025, can produce over 10,000 robotaxis annually and is now ramping up to manufacture up to 100 of the updated vehicles weekly [2, 4]. A Zoox spokesperson said, "We are ramping production in a deliberate, phased manner to safely meet the strong consumer demand and regulatory requirements" [4]. Chris Stoffel, Zoox's Director of Robot Industrial Design and Studio Engineering, stated, "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" [2].
