Robotaxi Startup Zoox Becomes A Big Acquirer Of Tesla-Incubated Talent

Zoox co-founders Tim Kentley-Klay, center, and Jesse Levinson, center left, with staff at the company's new headquarters in Foster City, California, in April. At least 16% of the robotaxi startup's staff came from Tesla. Elon Musk's larger-than-life image and pursuit of clean auto and energy tech help Tesla attract talented engineers who are drawn to its mission. Inevitably, a lot of those bright people also discover that many companies put a premium on skills they've honed at Tesla, none more so than the stealthy robotaxi startup Zoox. The Silicon Valley-based company, led by Australian artist and designer Tim Kentley-Klay, plans to deploy fully robotic, electric ride-service vehicles, with no steering wheels or brake and accelerator pedals, that it's designing from the ground up.