Amazon-backed Zoox has secured a crucial exemption from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), clearing the way for the company to begin commercial, paid robotaxi operations. The custom-built vehicles are notable for lacking traditional driving controls like steering wheels and pedals.
This regulatory milestone sets a significant precedent for the autonomous vehicle industry, paving the way for other developers, such as Tesla with its planned Cybercab, to deploy driverless vehicles without legacy control requirements. The exemption allows Zoox to operate a fleet of up to 2,500 vehicles commercially over the next two years.
- Zoox gains approval for commercial robotaxi rides without steering wheels
- NHTSA granted a two-year exemption for a fleet of up to 2,500 vehicles
- Paves the way for other autonomous developers like Tesla
- Marks a major step forward for commercial driverless transportation
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