Amazon’s Zoox has become the first autonomous vehicle company to receive US approval to commercially deploy robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals, after securing a regulatory exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The decision marks a significant milestone for the self-driving vehicle industry, allowing Zoox to operate purpose-built autonomous vehicles that do not require traditional human driving controls.
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison told Reuters that the company has been authorised to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually over the next two years.
Zoox’s fully electric robotaxi features a carriage-style design with two rows of inward-facing seats and is capable of reaching speeds of up to 75 miles per hour. The vehicles are designed exclusively for ride-hailing services and will not be available for consumer purchase.
The exemption relieves Zoox from certain federal safety requirements that mandate features such as steering wheels and pedals—rules that were developed before autonomous driving technology became viable.
According to the NHTSA, the agency concluded that Zoox’s vehicles provide a level of safety comparable to vehicles complying with the federal standards being waived. However, the company will be subject to additional reporting requirements as part of the approval.
The move comes as companies including Tesla and Alphabet-owned Waymo continue expanding autonomous ride-hailing services, intensifying competition in the rapidly evolving robotaxi market.