The CEO of Amazon’s self-driving car subsidiary Zoox says autonomous vehicles need regulation after one of its robotaxis drove into an active fire scene in Las Vegas.
Aicha Evans told FOX Business that the company believes in transparency and taking responsibility. “These are rare edge cases,” Evans said. “We learn and we continue to improve our processes along the way to make them better and better.”
In June, one of Zoox’s robotaxis drove into heavy smoke at an active emergency scene in Las Vegas. Zoox issued a software recall following the incident and has since updated the technology to better detect and respond to fire and smoke.
The Regulatory Call
Evans’ remarks come as federal officials press autonomous vehicle developers to improve interactions with first responders and emergency personnel, warning that failures to do so could pose a serious risk to public safety.
“To state it bluntly: an AV that cannot safely interact with first responders is a danger to the general public,” National Highway Traffic Safety Administration Administrator Jonathan Morrison wrote in July.
Evans said she believes autonomous vehicle regulation is necessary. “I want to unequivocally say we agree with the administrator and the administration and the regulatory agency. We need to be regulated,” she said. “And EV scenes are extremely important, because it’s about saving lives all around.”
Paid Rides Begin
After providing free Zoox rides in Las Vegas since 2023 under a three-year pilot program, the Amazon robotaxi brand officially began charging customers for rides on Monday.
“We have essentially, so far, the same number as people who are taking free rides,” Evans told FOX Business.
Unlike competitors such as Waymo, which retrofits regular cars for driverless operations, Zoox’s vehicles are pedal-free, steering-wheel-free, and passenger-focused. The robotaxis feature face-to-face campfire-style seating for up to four passengers.
Expansion Plans
Roughly 65 Zoox vehicles are currently deployed in Las Vegas, and Evans said production is “ramping up,” with the company’s California factory doubling output to five to six vehicles per day.
The CEO also told FOX Business where the company could expand next, beyond Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, and Miami, where Zoox currently operates pilot programs. “We will be entering Atlanta and LA and… we have big ambitions,” Evans said. “We want to be everywhere where we are welcome.”
The Bottom Line
Zoox CEO Aicha Evans says autonomous vehicles need regulation after one of its robotaxis drove into a Las Vegas fire scene in June. The company issued a software recall and updated its technology. Evans agreed with federal regulators that AVs must safely interact with first responders. Zoox officially launched paid rides in Las Vegas on Monday after three years of free service. The company plans to expand to Atlanta and Los Angeles.
