Zoox is now welcoming public riders in San Francisco to ride in its unique robotaxis

Robotaxi developer Zoox has reached a new milestone by opening its public waitlist in San Francisco through its “Explorers Program.” The initiative grants early access to free autonomous rides as the company expands service networks in targeted urban areas.

A Unique Approach to Autonomous Mobility

Unlike competitors relying on retrofitted vehicles, Zoox stands out with its purpose-built robotaxis designed from the ground up. Though less prominent than some rivals, the Amazon subsidiary has operated its distinctive vehicles on Bay Area roads since 2017.

After launching an invitation-only Explorers Program in 2024, the company began accepting public waitlist signups in early 2025. As of today, Zoox is activating riders from this list for free service within specified San Francisco neighborhoods.

Service Expansion Details

CEO Aicha Evans emphasized San Francisco’s strategic importance as Zoox’s home market:

“Zoox has been testing… since 2017… We have seen incredible interest and are excited to bring our purpose-built robotaxi experience to more people.”

Initial service areas include:

• SoMa
• Mission District
• Design District

Waitlisted users will receive ride invitations through the Zoox mobile app as capacity expands.

Interested Bay Area residents can still join the waitlist via the Zoox App to receive future access.