Amazon’s Zoox secures US federal approval for steering-wheel-free robotaxis
Amazon's Zoox has received U.S. federal approval to commercially deploy steering-wheel-free robotaxis, marking the first such clearance for fully autonomous vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted an exemption from standard vehicle controls, permitting Zoox to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually for the next two years, with commercial service launching in Las Vegas.
Amazon's autonomous vehicle subsidiary Zoox has achieved a regulatory milestone by securing federal approval to operate fully driverless robotaxis commercially in the United States. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration granted the company an exemption from standard vehicle safety requirements that typically mandate human controls, allowing Zoox to begin charging passengers for rides once state and local permits are obtained.
Zoox's vehicles represent a departure from conventional automobile design. The rectangular, carriage-style cars feature rows of passenger seats facing each other rather than forward, operate at speeds up to 120 kilometers per hour, and contain no driver's seat, steering wheel, or pedals. The company has already conducted free ride services in Las Vegas and San Francisco and plans to transition to paid operations first in Las Vegas, with expansion to additional markets contingent on completing state-level regulatory requirements.
The NHTSA authorization permits Zoox to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually over the next two years, though the rollout will occur in stages rather than immediately. The agency has imposed additional reporting obligations on the company regarding incidents such as crashes or inappropriate road stops. NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that Zoox's safety systems exceed equivalent performance standards for compliant vehicles, though the agency intends to monitor ongoing operational performance.
The approval has generated debate within the transportation sector. Proponents argue that existing federal safety regulations predate autonomous vehicle technology and may unnecessarily restrict innovation. Critics counter that relaxing restrictions could expose public streets to uncontrolled technology experiments, citing documented incidents of driverless vehicles striking pedestrians or animals and obstructing traffic and emergency response. Recently, NHTSA identified patterns of autonomous vehicles interfering with law enforcement operations, prompting Zoox to recall its 105-vehicle fleet for software updates addressing smoke detection deficiencies during emergencies.
Bell tracks these organizations in depth — profiles, people, signals, and history. See them inside Bell →
Enter the market with the full picture.