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Amazon-owned Zoox has introduced an updated version of its purpose-built robotaxi as it prepares to increase production in Hayward, California. The company says the model reflects feedback from about 500,000 riders. New vehicles will enter its autonomous ride-hailing fleet after leaving the production line.
Zoox describes the vehicle as a production-intent model rather than a concept. It says the Hayward facility can increase output to 100 robotaxis each week. Zoox has not guaranteed the target. The company says production can reach this level only ‘subject to regulatory approval.’
The updated Zoox robotaxi keeps its face-to-face, carriage-style seating layout. Zoox has replaced the previous interior color scheme with aloe green seats, stone-grey flooring and matching trim. The company has also added more seat padding, adjusted the curves of the seats and headrests, and installed a brighter touchscreen.
Several smaller changes focus on daily use. Zoox enlarged the cupholders and added raised lines to the wireless charging surface to help phones stay in place. The company says the lighter cabin materials should also make personal items easier to see before riders leave the vehicle.
Chris Stoffel, Zoox’s director of robot industrial design and studio engineering, said the new cabin aims to reduce visual distractions. He said, “The simplicity of the elevated interior design does not demand a rider’s attention.” Zoox linked the interior updates to feedback gathered through testing and early passenger services.
Zoox has also changed parts of the robotaxi exterior. The company refined and moved the vehicle’s bidirectional reflectors to make them easier for other road users to see. Since the robotaxi has no fixed front or rear, these exterior signals help indicate its direction of travel.
The door interface now includes a new speaker and microphone. Zoox also expanded the two-way audio system so riders, support staff and first responders can communicate more clearly. The company said the updated system will support communication inside and outside the vehicle.
The design does not include a steering wheel, brake pedal or other controls used in a conventional passenger car. Removing those controls allows Zoox to use the face-to-face seating arrangement. It also places the robotaxi within federal rules covering automated vehicles without manual driving controls.
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Zoox plans to build the refreshed robotaxi at its 220,000-square-foot production facility in Hayward. The company opened the site in 2025 and says it can assemble more than 10,000 robotaxis each year at full capacity. Zoox will adjust production based on service demand and expansion plans.
Zoox expects Las Vegas riders to access the updated vehicle later in 2026. The company also plans to expand its services in other US markets. However, each expansion will depend on vehicle supply, local operating plans and regulatory clearance.
Federal policy continues to change. On June 25, 2026, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration began rulemaking that could remove the requirement for manual brake pedals in vehicles built only for automated driving.
The proposal would keep stopping-distance standards while allowing different testing methods. Until the process ends, Zoox’s production and deployment schedule carries a clear regulatory condition.
