Amazon-owned Zoox opens full-scale robotaxi production facility
Zoox just launched its first full production factory in Hayward, California. This 220,000-square-foot plant aims to build up to 10,000 robotaxis per year.
The facility is the next step as Zoox moves from development to scale. The company is currently testing robotaxis in several U.S. cities and offering early-access rides in Las Vegas. Paid rides in Vegas will start this year. The early-rider program expands to San Francisco later in 2024. 
Zoox already has a smaller assembly warehouse in Fremont but says the new factory will handle engineering, hardware and software integration, assembly, storage, and testing. The Hayward plant will build Zoox’s custom robotaxis, initially for Las Vegas and San Francisco, with commercial launches planned in Austin and Miami over the next few years.
The factory is designed to adapt to future vehicle designs. It will be staffed primarily by humans but use robots for specific tasks like applying adhesive during glass installation and moving cars down the line.
Zoox explained the role of humans and bots in the factory:
“Human workers will handle the bulk of the work,” Zoox said.
“Robots will be used for specific tasks, such as applying adhesive for glass installation and transporting the robotaxi down the assembly line.”
This article was updated to correct that Zoox’s early-rider program is active in Las Vegas and that paid rides will begin this year.
