Zoox
The Amazon-owned business designs the robotaxi, its driving technology and the service that takes riders from place to place.2
- Founded
- 20143
- Founders
- Jesse Levinson, Tim Kentley-Klay3
- Leadership
- Aicha Evans, CEO, Jesse Levinson, co-founder and CTO2
- Parent company
- Amazon2
Zoox builds its business around a passenger's question: what should a vehicle feel like when nobody inside has to drive? Its answer is a purpose-built electric robotaxi and an operated ride service. Zoox handles the charging, maintenance and fleet upgrades, leaving customers to choose a journey rather than own the machine.2
Visit Zoox ↗A company built around the passenger
Jesse Levinson and Tim Kentley-Klay founded Zoox in Menlo Park in 2014. Their backgrounds brought together autonomous-driving research and design. Levinson had developed algorithms for Stanford's 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge team and led autonomous-driving research there. Kentley-Klay had founded three design and technology businesses in Australia.3
Building the vehicle and teaching it to drive were parallel projects. From 2016, Zoox used modified Toyota Highlanders to collect data and develop its driving technology while the purpose-built robotaxi took shape. A test SUV carrying sensors belongs to that development story; it is a different vehicle from the one customers recognize as a Zoox robotaxi.5
Zoox revealed its first purpose-built vehicle in 2020, the same year it joined Amazon. Amazon’s acquisition announcement said Zoox would continue as a standalone business. Aicha Evans leads the company as CEO, while co-founder Jesse Levinson serves as chief technology officer.24
From development to passenger service
A federal commercial exemption took effect on July 31, 2026, for Zoox’s automated-driving-system-equipped passenger car. The grant runs through July 31, 2028, subject to conditions and continuing operational oversight. It is a milestone for this vehicle program. Whether a passenger can book a particular journey still depends on local service access.6
The vehicle, the driving technology and the ride
Zoox brings together the physical robotaxi, its integrated driving technology and the service passengers book. Those three parts help answer different questions: what will you ride in, what does the driving, and can you make the journey you need?2
Zoox robotaxi
The robotaxi is an electric passenger vehicle built for Zoox’s ride service. Zoox presents it as an operated fleet, with charging and maintenance handled by the company. For a household, the practical starting point is the ride: whether it serves a useful journey and accommodates the people travelling.210
Zoox automated driving system
The automated driving system is the technology integrated into the robotaxi. Zoox describes mapping, perception, prediction and planning as parts of that work. Its system profile explains these functions separately from the passenger service. A description of the technology does not identify the exact software version running on a particular city’s fleet.610
Zoox
The ride service is the app-based journey, with access depending on location and enrollment. It is where passengers need to look for booking arrangements and trip rules. Zoox’s terms describe an in-vehicle call button, touchscreen and app as ways to get help during a ride.1
Could your family use it?
As of October 26, 2026, Zoox’s San Francisco page describes a free preview with a waitlist. Customers must receive notification before they can request a ride. For a day out, first check whether your account can book, then whether the actual pickup and destination are offered.7
Zoox’s rider terms exclude children under eight and limit a ride to four people. The person hailing must be at least 18 and remain present throughout the trip. Guests under 18 must be accompanied by someone over 18, with parent or guardian consent and appropriate restraints. For a family with young children, eligibility may settle the travel decision before the vehicle’s features do.1
Would it work for the trip you actually take?
Choose one real journey, including everyone travelling and any bags or mobility equipment. Check enrollment, the pickup and destination, the room you need and how to get help. The vehicle profile describes what you would ride in; the service profile explains booking and passenger rules. Keep an alternative for a trip with a fixed arrival time until you have confirmed the details.127
Read more on Robots in the House
Self-driving and future vehicles
Explore vehicles, driving technology and passenger services.
Zoox robotaxi
The purpose-built passenger vehicle, cabin and boarding considerations.
Zoox automated driving system
The integrated technology, its functions and version limits.
Zoox ride service
Local access, booking and practical questions for passengers.
Sources and notes
- Zoox rider terms
The rider terms identify Zoox, Inc. and affiliates and describe passenger eligibility, the four-rider limit and ways to request help. They cover more than one operating circumstance. A company identity does not determine the precise provider or vehicle configuration for every trip. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Zoox about and leadership
Zoox describes its operated fleet, the 2020 vehicle reveal and its relationship with Amazon. It identifies Aicha Evans as CEO and Jesse Levinson as co-founder and CTO. These current roles are separate from the founding history. Includes editorial interpretation. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Zoox Safety Report Volume 1, 2018
The History section of the 2018 safety report, printed page 7, names Jesse Levinson and Tim Kentley-Klay and describes their research and design backgrounds. The 2014 date is the company’s historical origin, not a separately established incorporation date. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Amazon agreement to acquire Zoox
The June 26, 2020 announcement concerns an agreement to acquire Zoox and its planned continuation as a standalone business. It is not the transaction’s closing date and gives no purchase price. The private-subsidiary classification is an editorial interpretation of the ownership relationship. Includes editorial interpretation. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Ten years of building Zoox
Zoox’s July 17, 2024 history describes the modified Toyota Highlander test fleet from 2016. These development vehicles are distinct from the purpose-built passenger robotaxi. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Zoox commercial exemption, 91 FR 48494
The temporary federal commercial exemption applies to the specified ADS-equipped passenger car from July 31, 2026 through July 31, 2028, subject to conditions and operational oversight. It does not establish nationwide service, a city-specific software version or a comparative safety result. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Zoox San Francisco
The San Francisco page describes a free preview, a waitlist and notification before requesting rides. These access conditions are specific to that city and do not establish availability for every pickup or destination. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Amazon Q2 2026 results
Amazon’s July 30, 2026 release contains parent-group and segment results for the quarter ended June 30. It provides no separate Zoox income statement or current standalone valuation. Its USD reporting does not supply a Zoox financial figure. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Amazon 2020 Form 10-K
Note 5 of Amazon’s 2020 Form 10-K reports US$1.2 billion for aggregate acquisitions during 2020, net of acquired cash. This is a parent-company total for the year ended December 31, not a Zoox-only purchase price, funding round or valuation. Source checked 2026-10-26.
- Zoox Know Your Ride
Zoox’s vehicle page describes the purpose-built robotaxi and mapping, perception, prediction and planning. The system name here is descriptive; it does not identify an exact production software version or its deployment in a particular city. Source checked 2026-10-26.
We use official disclosures and other identified sources. Company claims are attributed; these profiles do not represent hands-on product testing. Our editorial and AI-use policy.
