Zoox now has the green light in the United States to operate robotaxi services

Zoox, Amazon’s subsidiary specialising in autonomous vehicles, has received approval to offer paid rides in the United States with its distinctive robotaxis, which have no steering wheel or pedals. This is the first exemption granted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for this type of vehicle, built specifically to drive without traditional manual controls.

Until now, Waymo had led large-scale commercial robotaxi services, but it did so with modified production cars. Zoox thus becomes the first authorised operator to charge for trips in a vehicle designed entirely from the outset for autonomous driving. The authorisation allows a maximum of 2,500 units per year over the next two years and represents a regulatory milestone for the mobility sector.

This advance rests on a new exception promoted by the United States Department of Transportation, designed to make it easier for domestic manufacturers to commercialise the next generation of autonomous vehicles without the usual controls. Zoox reached this point after years of joint work with the authorities to adapt to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), which were originally conceived for human drivers and are now outdated for this technology.

Public interest in accessing robotaxi services is a reality

The company says demand for robotaxi services is high. Since it launched its free service in Las Vegas and the Zoox Explorers programme in San Francisco, it has carried more than half a million passengers without charging them. In addition, it has another half a million users interested on its digital waiting list.

The next step will be starting to charge fares in Las Vegas next month. Although prices have not yet been disclosed, they are expected to fall within a range similar to that of platforms such as Uber or Lyft. Zoox is working closely with Nevada regulators so that the transition to commercial operation is as smooth as possible.