Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has cemented a new partnership with Resorts World Las Vegas, a deal that positions the firm as the official robotaxi service of the North Strip resort. This partnership includes a tailored pickup and drop-off zone at Resorts World, as well as an "experiential activation" within the resort premises. "This collaboration with Zoox reflects our commitment to integrating technology solutions that elevate our service offerings and enhance how guests experience our property," Carlos Castro, president and chief financial officer of Resorts World Las Vegas, according to News 3 LV.
While Zoox is advancing towards a public launch of its service in Las Vegas, it has recently managed to move past a minor setback involving a robotaxi from its fleet. In April, one of Zoox's unoccupied self-driving vehicles was involved in crash with an occupied passenger vehicle on the streets of Las Vegas, as reported by Review Journal. The incident, which resulted in no injuries and only minor damages to the vehicles, did not lead to a police report as the involved parties exchanged information directly. Following this incident, Zoox recalled 270 vehicles and paused their autonomous operations for a time.
The move towards launching a commercial robotaxi service comes after extensive testing in Las Vegas, which began in 2019 with Toyota Highlanders retrofitted with self-driving technology. According to the company, the forthcoming robotaxi service will feature specially-designed four-seater pods that eschew traditional drivers, with capabilities including bi-directional travel and speeds of up to 75 mph. Each vehicle is designed with four-wheel steering, sliding doors, and a comprehensive suite of sensors to navigate the roads, as per Review Journal.
Notably, Resorts World isn't the only Vegas name to link up with Zoox — the company also inked a deal with the Vegas Golden Knights last year, planning to offer rides to and from hockey games upon the service's public debut. "Zoox and Resorts World share a joint focus on creating superior customer experiences," Michael White, chief product officer with Zoox, said in a statement obtained by Review Journal. This partnership will allow us to enhance the overall guest journey, adding to their Las Vegas experience with personalized mobility.
