Zoox Expands Autonomous Vehicle Testing to Seattle

Zoox, the self-driving vehicle company recently acquired by Amazon, is initiating an expansion into Seattle. The company intends to establish an engineering office and operational facility in 2022, which will serve as a central location for its autonomous vehicle testing programs.

Current Testing Locations

Currently employing over 1,300 individuals, Zoox is conducting autonomous vehicle trials in San Francisco, Las Vegas, and Foster City, California – a location close to its primary headquarters. Public road testing in Las Vegas commenced in 2019, marking a significant milestone for the company.

Seattle Operations and Hiring

The new facility in Seattle will primarily be staffed with newly hired personnel, as stated by co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jesse Levinson. While the precise number of employees remains undisclosed, Levinson confirmed that this expansion contributes to the company’s objective of creating 450 new positions throughout 2021.

Operational Independence from Amazon

Despite being situated in the same city as Amazon’s headquarters, Levinson clarified to TechCrunch that Zoox maintains independent operations. The Zoox office and operations center will not be integrated within the Amazon campus. However, the proximity will facilitate future collaborative efforts between the two entities, which Levinson characterized as a valuable advantage.

Why Seattle?

Levinson revealed that Zoox has considered Seattle as a potential testing ground for several years. A limited pilot program was even completed in the city in late 2019. A key factor influencing this decision is the frequency of rainfall in the region.

The Importance of Rainy Conditions

“The amount of rainfall in San Francisco is relatively low, and Las Vegas experiences even less,” Levinson explained. “Our goal is to develop an operational design domain (ODD) that incorporates substantial and frequent rainfall for comprehensive testing purposes.”

Advanced Weatherproofing Technology

Zoox has made significant advancements in weatherproofing its vehicles, including what Levinson termed “active rain mitigation” for its sensor systems. “We are eager to test and validate this technology in rainy conditions, and Seattle provides an ideal environment for doing so,” he added.

Seattle’s Unique Infrastructure

Beyond the weather, Zoox is also drawn to Seattle’s network of tunnels and its distinctive road infrastructure. The city’s policies regarding autonomous vehicles, coupled with its potential as a launchpad for a commercial robotaxi service, further solidify its appeal.

Future Commercialization Plans

“We have already announced San Francisco and Las Vegas as initial target cities for commercial deployment, and that remains our focus,” Levinson stated. “However, Seattle is high on our list for future expansion.”

Testing the "Level 3" Fleet

Zoox will be deploying its “Level 3” fleet for testing in Seattle. These vehicles consist of Toyota Highlander SUVs equipped with an autonomous driving system. The sensor configuration of this L3 fleet mirrors that of its purpose-built, all-electric autonomous robotaxi – a vehicle designed without a steering wheel and featuring a moonroof, capable of speeds up to 75 mph.

Levinson emphasized that the testing and validation of the L3 vehicles are directly applicable to the development of its fully autonomous “L5” vehicle.