Yesterday, Zoox announced they were now testing their version of self-driving cars in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Right now the cars are in a trial stage, so people can not ride in them yet.
Zoox cars are similar to Waymo’s, they are electric and self driving, however, they lack one thing all cars have — a steering wheel.
“I do think the lack of a steering wheel feels kind of unsafe because you have no power if something goes wrong, however, I really like how you can face your friends, so you don’t get excluded,” freshman Angela You said. “Zoox is blending the past and the present to create a car of the future.”
Zoox cars are based on the design of a horse and buggy, so you can talk and face your friends while the car is moving. One of the key benefits, according to Zoox, is their lack of steering wheel, for there is actually no use for them. However facing your friends may come at a price, freshman Maggie Page is worried about motion sickness.
“I don’t know if I will like Zoox, since I get motion sickness it will be hard for me to sit facing backwards,” Page said. “It also feels a bit risky because you have no control.”
Driving in a Zoox or Waymo is an amazing opportunity to support the future and the environment. Since Zoox is also manufacturing fewer cars, not every single person needs one, it produces less carbon emissions. If you are not using it then other people are, according to Zoox. They are also all electric, which is an aspect Religion teacher, Elaina LeGault, supports.
“I have read about them and I like the idea that they will be cleaner for the environment,” said LeGault. “I have not ridden in a Zoox, however I have ridden in a Waymo and I thought it was very cautious when driving, which shows how safe they are.”
Both Zoox and Waymo’s could be of benefit to parents. Many parents sometimes have conflicts when they have to pick up their child. Self driving cars can be a tool to solve that problem and make pick up time less stressful for many.
“I have only taken a Waymo twice,” Page said. “But they are easy to use and my parents don’t have to drive me around all the time.”
