Zoox Previews Future of Robotaxi Design

The robotaxi features face-to-face symmetrical seating that eliminates the steering wheel and can change directions without the need to reverse.

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December 14, 2020

Zoox Previews Future of Robotaxi Design — With a 3.63-meter-long footprint, the vehicle is designed to maneuver through compact spaces.
Photo courtesy of Zoox.

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Autonomous mobility company Zoox Inc. today revealed a purpose-built robotaxi that functions with bidirectional driving capabilities and four-wheel steering. The vehicle, capable of operating up to 75 miles per hour, enables maneuvering through compact spaces and changing directions without the need to reverse.

Designed and manufactured in the U.S., the robotaxi features a four-seat, face-to-face symmetrical seating configuration that eliminates the steering wheel and traditional bench seating. It runs on a 133-kWh battery that allows it to operate for up to 16 continuous hours on a single charge, according to Amazon-backed Zoox.

The vehicle design includes an airbag system for bidirectional vehicles that is equal to five-star crash safety protections for all four seats, Zoox said in a statement. The vehicle uses cameras, radar, and LIDAR to obtain a 270-degree field of view around the vehicle, eliminating typical blind spots.

The four-seat, face-to-face symmetrical seating configuration eliminates the steering wheel and traditional bench seating. The vehicle design includes an airbag system for bidirectional vehicles that envelopes the passengers, according to Zoox.
*Photo courtesy of Zoox.*

According to Zoox, the robotaxi has passed key Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) crash tests.

Founded in 2014, Zoox was acquired by Amazon in 2020, and operates as an independent subsidiary. Zoox is currently testing in Las Vegas, San Francisco, and Foster City.

Topics:Zoox Taxi Ride-Hailing Autonomous Technology Global Fleet

Originally posted on Auto Rental News

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