Zoox upgrades its robotaxi as it prepares for commercial service

techcrunch.com Jun 24, 2026

Zoox upgrades its robotaxi as it prepares for commercial service

Curated by Shubham · TechCapsules · Jun 24, 2026

AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication

Zoox, an Amazon-owned company, has upgraded its custom-built robotaxi with design and product tweaks ahead of a potential commercial launch later this year. The upgrades, based on rider feedback, include a lighter color palette, added padding, and ergonomic curves to improve comfort and reduce distractions. The robotaxi still lacks a steering wheel and other controls, but features 40 cameras, radars, lidars, and infrared sensors to perceive the environment. Zoox is preparing for volume production, aiming to build 10,000 robotaxis per year, and is awaiting a decision from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for a commercial exemption.

💡 Why It Matters

· The success of Zoox's robotaxi could set a precedent for the future of autonomous transportation, with the company's design and product tweaks potentially influencing the development of similar vehicles.

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Amazon dropped Luca Guadagnino’s OpenAI film, months after partnering with OpenAI

Amazon MGM Studios has dropped Luca Guadagnino's film "Artificial", a biopic about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, despite a strategic partnership between Amazon and OpenAI. The film, starring Andrew Garfield as Altman and Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk, had received $40 million in funding and was slated for a 2027 SXSW release. The team behind the film was shocked by the decision, given Amazon's previous support. Amazon expressed admiration for Guadagnino and hopes to continue working with him, citing a desire for the film to be released by a different studio. The film has been screened for potential buyers, but a new home has not been found yet, leaving its future uncertain with a potential awards run at stake.

💡 The sudden drop raises questions about Amazon's commitment to its OpenAI partnership. Amazon's $50 billion investment in OpenAI hangs in the balance as the film's fate remains uncertain.

memeburn.com · Jun 21

Amazon Trainium Chips Take Aim at Nvidia

Amazon is in discussions to sell its Trainium processors directly to third-party data centers, a move that could reshape the economics of artificial intelligence infrastructure. Trainium has reached a $20 billion annual revenue run rate, with major commitments from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Uber. Amazon claims Trainium3 can match Nvidia's Blackwell at a lower cost. The company's shift from a "captive silicon" model to direct sales would place it in competition with Nvidia's core business model. Amazon's chip business could be worth $50 billion if operated as a standalone company. The demand for Trainium is outpacing supply, with the third-generation chips largely sold out.

💡 Sovereign AI demand is driving the need for locally controlled computing resources, and Amazon's move addresses this rising international appetite. By selling chips externally, Amazon can tap into the growing demand for AI infrastructure independence from US cloud providers.

ign.com · Jun 20

Amazon Walks Away from Nearly Complete Sam Altman Movie Just Months After…

Amazon has walked away from Artificial, a nearly complete biopic about OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, just months after investing $50 billion in the company. The decision, made by Prime Video head Mike Hopkins, follows positive reactions to the movie from private test screenings. Directed by Luca Guadagnino, the film stars Andrew Garfield as Altman and features a cast that includes Ike Barinholtz as Elon Musk. Amazon is working with the film's team to find a new distributor, with the movie's release now uncertain.

💡 The sudden departure of Amazon from the movie raises questions about the company's commitment to its investment in OpenAI. The decision may also indicate a shift in Amazon's priorities, potentially reflecting a growing unease with the controversy surrounding Altman's tenure at OpenAI.

247wallst.com · Jun 20

Amazon’s CEO: AI Growth Is Dwarfing Everything We’ve Seen Before.

Amazon CEO Andy Jassy stated that AI's adoption speed has no precedent, with AWS's AI revenue run rate exceeding $15 billion, 260 times larger than AWS's revenue three years after launch. Jassy attributed this growth to the company's custom silicon and Bedrock software, which saw 170% growth in customer spend quarter over quarter. AWS revenue reached $37.59 billion, up 28% year over year, with a $150 billion annualized run rate. The company's capital expenditures increased by 77% year over year, reaching $44.20 billion in Q1. Jassy remains optimistic about Amazon's position in the AI market, citing signed customer commitments.

💡 Amazon's AI growth threatens to upend traditional cloud workloads, and its custom silicon and software offerings are driving this transformation. The company's ability to maintain its operating margin despite heavy infrastructure costs will be crucial to its success.

247wallst.com · Jun 20

Forget AMD: Amazon Declares War on Nvidia by Selling Its Own AI…

Amazon is exploring the possibility of selling its custom-designed AI chips to third parties, expanding beyond their current role inside Amazon Web Services. The company has spent years developing its Trainium and Inferentia processors to reduce reliance on third-party suppliers while lowering AI computing costs for customers. Amazon's internal chip business now generates revenue approaching $50 billion on an annualized basis, making it larger than companies like Advanced Micro Devices. This move could potentially disrupt Nvidia's dominance in the AI chip market. Amazon's decision is significant as cloud providers are on pace to spend over $750 billion on AI infrastructure this year.

💡 Amazon's potential entry into the AI chip market threatens Nvidia's grip on the industry. By selling its custom processors, Amazon can further reduce its reliance on external suppliers and increase its control over the AI infrastructure market.

spectrum.ieee.org · Jun 19

What Amazon’s Astro Taught Me About Giving Robots a Soul

Amazon's Astro, a consumer home robot, was developed with a unique character direction, distinct from Alexa. The UX team, led by the UX Sound Designer, argued that a mobile robot required its own character to avoid being seen as just an appliance. User testing confirmed this decision, with users perceiving Astro as its own character. The robot's sound design language and voice were defined, with Alexa serving as a supporting character for spoken interactions. The development of Astro's character involved answering design questions about its emotional range, communication, and vulnerabilities. Astro's character was designed to be expressive, yet not annoying, with a focus on creating a cohesive user experience.

💡 By giving Astro its own character, Amazon created a more relatable and engaging user experience, setting a precedent for embodied AI development. Effective character design enables robots to communicate uncertainty and emotions without eroding trust.