Amazon's Zoox Receives US Approval for Driverless Robotaxis

Amazon's autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Zoox, has achieved a significant milestone by securing U.S. approval for the limited commercial deployment of its driverless robotaxis. This exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) rules, which typically mandate human controls like steering wheels, permits Zoox to operate its vehicles without them and to charge passengers for rides. This marks the first time a company has received such an exemption for vehicles designed from the ground up without manual controls, paving the way for commercial operations.

In parallel developments within the autonomous delivery sector, DoorDash has officially launched its in-house drone delivery business, branded as DoorDash Air. The company announced it has received certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to conduct commercial drone deliveries across the United States. DoorDash is investing in its own drone aircraft and the necessary infrastructure to support this new service, with the goal of diversifying its delivery methods beyond human couriers and expanding its overall logistics capabilities.

Meanwhile, Waymo, another prominent player in the autonomous ride-hailing space, is in the process of reintroducing freeway driving capabilities to its driverless service. The company had previously paused this functionality for over two months, citing difficulties its robotaxis encountered when navigating complex construction zones. Waymo is now gradually resuming freeway routes for its service in key operational areas, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area, following software updates aimed at improving navigation in such environments.