Jeff Bezos' companies are challenging Elon Musk's businesses on two fronts, as Amazon.com Inc.-owned Zoox unveiled its updated Robotaxi while Bezos-owned Blue Origin showcased new technology aimed at future Mars missions. The developments highlight the intensifying competition between the two billionaires in the autonomous vehicle and space sectors.

Zoox Unveils Updated Robotaxi

Zoox revealed the updated version of its Robotaxi, stating that the company can now produce over 100 units of the vehicle. While the hardware remains unchanged, the updates target better ergonomics and comfort for passengers. The vehicle features a new touchscreen and an improved two-way audio system. It continues to utilize a LiDAR-enabled self-driving suite and a bidirectional design with four seats offering face-to-face bench seating.

The company reported that it has completed over 500,000 rides since launching its service in Las Vegas. In comparison, Alphabet Inc.'s Waymo, which operates in over 10 cities across the U.S., provides 500,000 rides per week. Meanwhile, Tesla Inc.'s Robotaxi vision received support after the Cybercab was praised by the Texas Department of Transportation’s Executive Director.

Blue Origin Touts Mars Tech

Blue Origin, which secured key Lunar NASA contracts last month, promoted its Mars technology via a post on social media platform X. CEO Dave Limp showcased the company's Blue Ring Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO), which provides propulsion and Earth communication. The orbiter is designed to simplify requirements for orbiters and landed assets on the Martian surface.

According to Limp, the orbiter offers next-generation high-resolution imagery, weather and dust storm monitoring, and ice mapping for fuel resources. Blue Origin stated that the orbiter enables standard transfer windows to Mars and timely insertion into an initial Martian orbit. The spacecraft features both electric and chemical propulsion, enhancing performance and payload capacity during interplanetary cruise.

SpaceX Achieves Milestones

Space Exploration Technologies Corp, a key rival of Blue Origin, recently achieved a milestone in its orbital payload goals. The company launched a Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station to test Starfall, a new disk-shaped uncrewed reentry capsule designed to return cargo from space. Additionally, SpaceX raised over $25 billion via unsecured senior notes to pay off bridge loans, following a blockbuster IPO that raised close to $86 billion.

A report by Placer.ai suggests that six competing physical retailers could be the names to watch during and after Amazon's Prime Day shopping event, which takes place June 23 through June 26. The report identifies Costco, Target, Best Buy, Walmart, Home Depot, and Lowe's as companies that could reap benefits from the event, given a rise in physical store visits and their own promotional activities to compete with Prime Day.

The thesis relies on data indicating that offline retail foot traffic was up 1.2% year-over-year in April and up 0.3% year-over-year in May. Despite consumer sentiment remaining under pressure, the report states that foot traffic data suggests shoppers have not materially pulled back from physical stores.

Retailer Performance

Placer.ai data highlights varying levels of visit growth among the named retailers. Target and Costco showed strong visits growth on a weekly basis over the last several months. Walmart and Best Buy followed with mixed results and mostly growth. Home Depot and Lowe’s rounded out the list with "more volatile foot traffic," according to the report.

Strategic Implications

The report advises investors and consumers to watch for which retailers roll out competing Amazon Prime Day offers in the coming weeks. Retailers already generating traffic momentum appear well positioned to capitalize on the season, while those facing softer visitation trends will be looking to promotions to reaccelerate growth.