Amazon-owned Zoox has given its purpose-built robotaxi a substantial makeover, revealing a redesigned vehicle on June 24, 2026 as it prepares for a long-awaited commercial launch. The updates focus on comfort, communication and, crucially, readiness for volume production.
What changed
The core of the Zoox robotaxi remains: a cube-like, bidirectional electric vehicle with no steering wheel, four-wheel steering, a moonroof and more than 40 cameras, radars, lidars and infrared sensors. It still carries four passengers at up to 75 mph. Inside, Zoox added padding and more ergonomic curves to seats and headrests, switched to a lighter palette of aloe-green seating and stone-grey trim, enlarged cupholders and made the touchscreen more visible. Outside, the company relocated reflectors and added a speaker, microphone and two-way audio to the door interface to improve communication with riders and first responders.
Built for volume
The redesign is as much about manufacturing as aesthetics. Zoox made the changes in preparation for volume production at its Hayward, California facility, where it eventually expects to build 10,000 robotaxis a year and can ramp to as many as 100 vehicles a week.
One regulatory hurdle remains
Before it can charge for rides, Zoox still needs a federal exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, since its vehicle lacks the standard manual controls mandated by law. The public comment period has closed and a decision is pending. For now, Zoox is testing and offering free rides in Austin, San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami. The unveiling lands amid intensifying robotaxi competition, from Mobileye's sensor partnerships to Waymo's expansion in Japan and a wave of Chinese mass-production efforts.
Reporting based on coverage from TechCrunch and CNBC.