Zoox launches first airport robotaxi service in major milestone
A purpose-built Zoox autonomous electric robotaxi travels on a downtown street in San Francisco, California, August 20, 2026. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
Zoox announced Thursday that its driverless robotaxis will begin carrying passengers to and from Harry Reid International Airport in Las Vegas, launching the company’s first airport transportation service.
What they're saying:
The Amazon-owned company told FOX Business that passengers can book rides between Harry Reid International Airport and the Las Vegas Strip starting Thursday.
"Bringing autonomous transportation to one of the country’s busiest airports requires true partnership, and we are grateful to the Clark County Department of Aviation and the state of Nevada for their continued support as we help shape the future of mobility," said Ron Thaniel, Zoox's senior director of policy and regulatory affairs.
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Dig deeper:
Zoox will collect and drop off passengers at designated curbside locations. The pickup and drop-off areas will differ between the airport’s two passenger terminals.
The robotaxis use lights and audio signals to help passengers find them in crowded pickup zones. Riders can also connect their devices through Bluetooth to play their own music during the trip.
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Each vehicle can accommodate four passengers and has carriage-style seating, with two rows positioned across from each other. Zoox said a fully occupied vehicle can hold approximately one piece of luggage per passenger.
The backstory:
On July 31, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted Zoox a temporary exemption from certain federal motor vehicle safety standards. The decision removed a key regulatory obstacle that had prevented the company from charging passengers for rides.
The exemption was required because Zoox vehicles do not have conventional driving controls, such as a steering wheel or pedals, that federal safety rules typically require.
After receiving approval from the federal government, Zoox began offering paid robotaxi rides in Las Vegas on Aug. 10. The company also operates in San Francisco, where its service is still being tested.
Available destinations listed in the app include the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Sphere, T-Mobile Arena and several major resorts along the Strip.
Zoox’s website says the company plans to expand paid rides to 10 additional cities, including Seattle, Austin, Dallas, Houston, San Diego and Los Angeles.
The Source: FOX Business contributed to this report. The information in this story came from Zoox, which provided details about its new airport robotaxi service to FOX Business and published additional information on its website. This story was reported from Los Angeles.