Amazon-owned robotaxi service Zoox has been given the green light from federal regulators to begin charging customers for rides, a first for a company with a purpose-built autonomous vehicle that lacks conventional controls.
Until now, Zoox has been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco with its specialized AV, which resembles a toaster on wheels. So far, more than half a million passengers have tested out the robotaxi.
Unlike some vehicles from competitors like Waymo or Tesla's Robotaxi service, Zoox's robotaxi does not have a steering wheel or brake pedals.
"Today marks an important milestone for Zoox and the future of autonomous mobility," Zoox's Chief Executive Eicha Evans said. The company will start charging for rides in Las Vegas next month.
The approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is still temporary, though, the agency said. Zoox has permission to deploy up to 2,500 AVs each year for the next two years. The company will be able to continue operating so long as NHTSA is able to create an "oversight structure" to monitor the company's robotaxi technology.
NHTSA also announced its plan on Thursday to develop new vehicle safety standards that will create the first-ever national regulatory standards for AVs. The U.S. has long relied on a patchwork of state and local regulations to govern fully driverless cars.
"These advancements will ensure that the United States continues to lead the world in AV technology in a safe and responsible manner," Administrator Jonathan Morrison said.
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