And these self-driving cars in SF even (kind of, sort of) open like the kitchen appliance, too.
San Francisco is the epicenter for a driverless future — a utopia (or dystopia, depending on who you ask) where you can safely doomscroll in the driver’s seat without ever touching a steering wheel. If there’s even a steering wheel, at all.
Like with any pontificated promise, the present growing pains around autonomous vehicles set in our shared reality are less than idyllic. In the case of San Francisco’s robotaxi Tomorrowland, it’s downright dangerous … at times nearly lethal. It’s that reason alone why some companies (*cough* Cruise *cough*) are outright banned from operating driverless cars within SF city limits after failing to comply with current safety concerns. Other companies, however, have bent the knee when needed and gone as far as to heed public feedback.
Riding inside one of Waymo’s Jaguar iPace robotaxis now sits high on many out-of-towners’ to-do lists. But there’s another new kid on the block: Zoox’s purpose-built robotaxis that looks like giant futuristic toasters.
Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous driving company headquartered in Foster City, recently announced its rectangular robotaxis would begin crisscrossing San Francisco earlier this month. The vehicles — described as being “built for riders, not drivers — feature two large bench-style seatings, capable of safely transporting up to four people per vehicle.
While a standard minivan could easily hold as many people if not one or two more, Zoox’s robotaxi footprint is surprisingly petite. It’s driverless construction from the ground up means all cabin space is dedicated to riders; Zoox’s robotaxis measures 12 feet long, nearly six feet wide, and over six feet tall … indicating each robotaxi has an almost identical footprint to a Fiat 500, but can (comfortably) hold three times as many people; the majority of the robotaxi’s 5,500lb curb weight is owed to its 133kw battery pack.
Driverless Zoox robotaxi in SF last night
byu/DriverlessAnonymous inSelfDrivingCars
Each robotaxi features ambient mood lighting and cup holders, ample plug-in outlets and wireless charging pads, plush booth-like seating, and infotainment touchpads that allow riders to customize their rides. There’s also a moon roof — inset along a Rolls Royce-like headliner, featuring small LEDs that create a starry night effect. Should you get into a crash, “100 safety innovations” inside each Zoox robotaxi, which includes an airbag that inflates between riders, will help keep riders safe.
And all of this (and more!) is packaged inside what can only be described as a glorified toaster on casters — albeit one that’s off-limits to most individuals. At least not right now, that is; as of publishing, only Zoox employees are allowed to ferry inside the vehicles as these robotaxis finish testing.
It’s unclear when these robotaxis will be available for public use — Zoox’s recent social media activity in IG comment sections suggests it’ll happen soon — and whether or not they’ll initially be free of charge (like what Waymo did in its first public pilot program). Regardless, if you do find yourself in one of these Brave Big Toasters (IYKYK), let us know what it’s like.
I rode in one down in foster city. It is really cool. Like we suddenly got to be in the Westworld car. And you feel transported to the future when you are riding in it. No steering wheel, excellent little touch displays to interact with. The acceleration is smooth (unlike some other electric cars that I find kind of punchy) and you can tell it is well programmed for the riders comfort even as it goes pretty fast.
They look really comfortable purpose-built for the job! Can’t wati to pop in for ourselves.