Key facts
- Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without steering wheels.
- Amazon's Zoox received approval to charge customers for rides in its specially designed cars.
- A proposed rule could allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals.
- Zoox vehicles feature four inward-facing seats and lack traditional controls.
- NHTSA aims to foster safe development of autonomous vehicle technology.
Federal regulators are moving to allow autonomous vehicles to operate without traditional controls like steering wheels, and potentially even brake pedals, as the technology advances. Amazon's self-driving startup, Zoox, received approval to begin charging customers for rides in its specially designed vehicles, which lack steering wheels and feature four inward-facing seats. Zoox has been providing free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is actively working to adapt regulations to the evolving autonomous vehicle landscape. Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that the agency is taking a balanced approach to foster innovation while ensuring safety through strong oversight and performance requirements. A proposed rule is also under consideration that would permit robotaxis to operate without brake pedals.
Zoox aims to eventually produce up to 10,000 robotaxis annually at a plant near Silicon Valley, positioning itself to compete with industry leader Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet. Amazon acquired Zoox for $1.2 billion, and initially, the company will be permitted to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles without steering wheels over the next two years, pending state and local approvals, as it demonstrates the safety of its technology. Zoox has indicated that over half a million people have already experienced rides in its vehicles.