Hyperdrive
Amazon’s Zoox Expands Testing to Seattle for the Rain and Talent
- Startup currently tests robocars in drier Nevada, California
- Amazon has been relatively handsoff since buying Zoox in 2020
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Amazon.com Inc.’s self-driving unit Zoox will start testing autonomous cars in Seattle, bringing the robotaxi maker closer to its parent company and a pool of engineers it sees as key to launching commercially.
Foster City, California-based Zoox will deploy a fleet of Toyota Highlander vehicles retrofitted with its sensor technology and autonomous-driving software. The company hopes Seattle’s climate will help prepare its technology to drive in a wider range of environments. Currently Zoox is testing vehicles in the comparatively drier precincts of Las Vegas, San Francisco and its hometown. Zoox will also open an office in Seattle next year.