Knowledge Sep 17, 2025 Trend Report: ZOOX and Cutting-Edge Autonomous Vehicles

Autonomous driving technology is now moving from its development phase to ingratiating itself as a part of our everyday life. In San Francisco, where the KDDI Open Innovation Fund has an office, driverless/self-driving cars, such as Waymo, are often seen driving on public roads, and test runs have begun in some areas of Tokyo, Japan. Against the backdrop of urban issues such as traffic congestion, declining birthrate, aging population, and environmental issues, anticipation for fully autonomous vehicles is increasing. 　

ZOOX is a startup founded in 2014 and is now a subsidiary of Amazon. Their unique selling point is their bold design. Steering wheels, pedals, and even the driver's seat have been removed, and the vehicle is designed from scratch with a novel design. The vehicle’s exterior appearance is also catchy, and it is extremely eye-catching when ZOOX is driving around the city. It is an EV (electric vehicle) that can drive in both directions, and it combines sensors such as LiDER with AI to ensure safety. 　

There are already more than a dozen ZOOXs operating in San Francisco, and we were able to catch a ride the other day. ZOOX had a four-seater seat with two people sitting facing each other, and it felt like the space was moving as a whole. It was a unique travel experience that is completely different from other autonomous driving vehicles. The ride was very smooth, and it was not much different from a normal taxi. Also, when an emergency vehicle passed during the ride, it immediately understood the situation and stopped in a safe place on the side of the road without any issues. 　

It would be very useful if it was introduced not only throughout the United States but also in tourist destinations in Japan, where taxis are often used. 　

In addition to the test run in San Francisco, Las Vegas has already started a free robotaxi service and can be used by the general public. If you have an opportunity to visit Las Vegas for CES or other events, why not try out the riding experience of the future?

Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed in this newsletter are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of KDDI America, Inc or any other companies or organizations.

KDDI America, Inc.

 KDDI America is the US subsidiary of KDDI Corporation, a Fortune Global 500 company and is growing communications carrier with a proven track record in Japan and a longstanding reputation for quality and reliability. KDDI America provides a wide range of High Quality Services such as Communications, Data Centers and Solution Services throughout the world.