LAS VEGAS (FOX5) — No human behind the wheel. Fully self-driving vehicles are now transporting people on the Las Vegas Strip.
FOX5 learned the rides starting at Resorts World began last week. FOX5 spoke to some people who have taken the free rides in Zoox vehicles.
“We are pulling out onto one of the busiest roads in the world right now with no driver,” exclaimed content creator Stuart Robinson, a radio personality from Ireland, as he recorded his first driverless ride.
“Wow! This is just crazy,” he added.
The robotaxi ride took off from Resorts World where he was staying and did a loop down Frank Sinatra and back up the Strip, all in about a half hour.
“I couldn’t believe it. It was so smooth… we came away thinking, ‘My goodness. It felt like the future had arrived,’” Robinson recounted. Robinson noticed the vehicle, went up to the Zoox booth in the valet area, scanned a QR code, signed a waiver, and hopped aboard.
Las Vegas content creator Lydia Penn heard about the Zoox rides on social media and went down to Resorts World to give it a try.
“We are inside a Zoox self-driving vehicle. These little toasters have been testing here in Vegas… this week they finally opened to the public,” Penn explained in a video she made during her ride. She went on a busy Saturday afternoon so the loop took about 50 minutes.
“It is very nicely air conditioned in here and check this out every single seat in the Zoox has an iPad. You can control the music,” Penn demonstrated.
“I realized right away that the Zooxs is a very cautious driver and it’s a heck of a lot safer drivers than a lot of Vegas locals, including myself. So, within 10 minutes I felt very safe,” Penn revealed.
Zoox began testing its fleet in Las Vegas in 2019. FOX5 asked the company about now offering fully driverless rides. They tell us they recently launched them for select riders to provide feedback and in the coming months, they will launch their official ride hailing service.
FOX5 also checked with the Nevada Transit Authority. They reported right now Zoox is able to provide free autonomous passenger transportation. Their permit to provide paid rides will be issued once they submit several compliance items . Once those are received, the company will be allowed to operate up to 100 vehicles.
Tuesday, Zoox announced it’s the official autonomous ride-hail partner of AREA15. Zoox says it will have a dedicated pickup and drop-off location at the entertainment complex.
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