Image: Steve Jurvetson
Amazon.com is in talks to buy driverless vehicle startup Zoox, according to a person familiar with the matter, a deal that would accelerate the e-commerce giant’s automation efforts.
“Zoox has been receiving interest in a strategic transaction from multiple parties and has been working with Qatalyst Partners to evaluate such interest,” the start-up said.
However, after a 2018 funding round that valued Zoox at $3.2-billion, the start-up’s board voted to oust CEO Tim Kentley-Klay.
Paying drivers to deliver packages is still one of the biggest costs in the company’s operation
Dow Jones reported that Amazon is in advanced talks to buy Zoox for less than the $3.2-billion valuation from 2018.
Last year, Amazon revealed an experimental delivery robot called Scout in the Seattle area that rolls on sidewalks like a shopping cart.
