Tech Life Driverless cars in the fast lane
Feb 3, 2026
Shona McCallum, a frontline reporter who rode in and reviewed robo‑taxis, describes a Zoox vehicle and its strange design. She recounts in‑ride impressions of sensors, mapping and safety. The conversation covers where robotaxis already run, regulatory and liability puzzles, rollout timelines, and how cities and behavior might change as autonomous fleets expand.
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Riding A Zoox Robo-Taxi
- Shona McCallum rode a Zoox robo-taxi in Las Vegas and described it as symmetric, with sideways doors and no steering wheel.
- She felt safe onboard and noted many Zoox vehicles were operating around hotels on the Strip.
Sensors And Safety Claims
- Robo-taxis use radar, cameras and other sensors to build detailed 3D maps of surroundings.
- Companies argue this tech could reduce crashes since human error contributes to about 88% of accidents.
Slow, City-By-City Rollout
- Deployment will be gradual and local, with dedicated robotaxis appearing city by city.
- Professor Philip Copman estimates full transition to no-steering-wheel vehicles could take decades.