Amazon’s Zoox secures US federal approval for steering-wheel-free robotaxis
Summary
Amazon’s self-driving car brand Zoox received U.S. federal approval to operate robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) confirmed Zoox met safety standards and allowed the company to start charging passengers after obtaining local permissions.Key Facts
- Zoox’s robotaxis do not have steering wheels, pedals, or driver seats.
- NHTSA approved Zoox for limited commercial service, allowing up to 2,500 vehicles deployed each year for two years.
- Zoox must follow extra reporting rules about crashes and road-stopping incidents.
- These vehicles can reach speeds up to 75 miles per hour and have a unique interior with seats facing each other.
- The company started giving free rides last year in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with plans to begin paid services soon.
- Some safety groups worry about operating vehicles without manual controls on public roads.
- Zoox recalled 105 cars to fix software problems affecting detection of heavy smoke during emergencies.
- Zoox and Tesla are competing with Waymo, a company that runs self-driving cars with standard controls like steering wheels.
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