|
Getting around Sin City may be getting easier and less expensive. Three new Las Vegas robotaxi services are literally rolling out as we publish this video, with more on the way.
Would you get into a car with no steering wheel, no pedals, and no human driver? Well, Amazon, Uber, and Tesla are betting you will. This Week in Gambling, we're looking at the exploding robotaxi market, and how getting around Las Vegas is changing forever! No matter how well you plan your Sin City trip, getting across town is always a challenge. Now, Las Vegas has doubled its driverless zones, and robotaxi companies are fighting for your next ride. So, what are these services? How do you access them? And are they any less expensive?
Well, let's begin with Zoox. These are not simply modified cars. They are purpose-built vehicles with no front or back. Instead, there is face-to-face seating, and every seat comes with a wireless charging pad. Zoox serves the strip, the Spear, and T-Mobile Arena. And like other rid share services, you book through their app and meet them at the designated pickup zone. Later this year, you'll even be able to book them on the Uber app. But the best part of Zoox for now is that it's totally free, but only while they wait for final regulatory approval, and that could happen at any time.
Up next, we have Motional, who are already fully integrated into Uber. So, when you book through the Uber app, you might get a robotaxi. If so, you'll get a notification and the option to decline and wait for a human driver. Or you can increase your odds of getting a robotaxi by selecting the autonomous vehicle option in your Uber app ride preference settings. Motional operates on the strip downtown and in the town square district. Right now they have a human safety operator in the driver's seat, but that will stop before the end of this year. You can meet their vehicles in a ride share pickup zone and Motional robotaxi prices are about the same as Uber rides. But since there's no driver, you will save on the tip.
|