Amazon’s Zoox Wins US Approval for Paid Steering-Wheel-Free Robotaxis

Amazon's Zoox has received approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to launch paid robotaxi services in Las Vegas using vehicles that lack steering wheels and other traditional human controls.

Zoox Deployment in Las Vegas

The NHTSA clearance allows Zoox to transition from testing to a commercial model where passengers pay for transportation. The vehicles involved are purpose-built robotaxis that omit the steering wheel and pedals, removing the possibility of a human driver taking over the vehicle’s operation during a trip, CNBC reported.

According to The Washington Post, the company will begin charging for these rides specifically within the Las Vegas market.

Removal of Manual Driver Controls

PBS reports that while the removal of the steering wheel has been approved for certain operations, the industry may move toward further reductions in hardware, including the potential removal of the brake pedal in future iterations of autonomous vehicle designs.

Regulatory and Industry Context

Business Implications for Amazon

Zoox operates as a subsidiary of Amazon, which has invested heavily in the venture to diversify its logistics and transportation capabilities.