The regulatory decision waives federal requirements for traditional driver controls, including steering wheels, pedals, and mirrors. Zoox vehicles, designed with two opposing bench seats for passengers, will begin charging for rides in Las Vegas starting next month. The company intends to expand its service footprint to Miami and Austin, positioning itself to challenge incumbents like Waymo and Tesla in the competitive autonomous transit market.
Amazon-backed Zoox secures approval for paid robotaxi service
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has cleared Amazon-owned Zoox to collect fares in its steering-wheel-free robotaxis. This temporary exemption allows the company to deploy up to 2,500 autonomous vehicles annually over the next two years, marking a significant shift from the free demonstration rides previously offered in California and Nevada.
Regulators concluded that the purpose-built fleet maintains a safety profile equivalent to, or exceeding, current federal standards. Despite this green light, the company remains under enhanced oversight, a condition that may evolve alongside its software capabilities. This approval arrives on the heels of a recent software recall initiated by the firm to address concerns regarding the vehicle's ability to detect smoke.
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