Amazon’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary Zoox has obtained approval from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) to operate paid robotaxi services nationwide without a steering wheel or manual controls. This marks the first federal approval for such fully driverless commercial vehicles in the United States, a historic milestone. Zoox’s purpose-built vehicle features a symmetrical cabin layout with no traditional steering wheel, pedals, or dashboard — passengers simply set their destination via an in-car screen.

Event Details

According to an exclusive Reuters report, NHTSA has granted Zoox an exemption allowing its fully driverless robotaxi to operate commercially on US public roads. Previously, Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards required all production vehicles to be equipped with a steering wheel and manual controls, which prevented Zoox’s symmetrical two-seat design from being road-legal. This exemption marks the first time the regulatory framework has opened the door for fully driverless commercial vehicles.

Zoox’s robotaxi features a unique symmetrical design — the vehicle is identical at the front and rear, with no traditional “front” or “back.” Inside, there are four face-to-face seats with a foldable table in the center. The vehicle has a top speed of approximately 75 mph (120 km/h) and is designed specifically for short urban trips.

Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for approximately $1.3 billion and has been conducting test operations in Las Vegas and San Francisco since. With this federal approval, Zoox can now expand its service nationwide without needing to apply state by state.

Panoramic Perspective

This approval has far-reaching implications for the global autonomous vehicle industry. First, it breaks the federal regulatory barrier requiring “a driver must be present,” setting a precedent for other autonomous vehicle companies like Waymo and Cruise. Second, Zoox’s purpose-built vehicle proves that a “designed from scratch” autonomous approach is viable at the regulatory level, encouraging more companies to invest in dedicated driverless vehicle development. Third, Amazon’s logistics and delivery network may create synergies with Zoox’s mobility services, forming a comprehensive “mobility + delivery” autonomous ecosystem.

From an industry perspective, traditional automakers face greater pressure. General Motors’ Cruise is still recovering from safety incidents, and while Waymo operates at a larger scale, it still uses retrofitted vehicles. Zoox’s “native autonomous” model could become the new industry standard.

Multiple Perspectives

Supporters: Autonomous vehicle advocates argue that removing manual controls actually improves safety — machines don’t get fatigued, distracted, or drive under the influence. NHTSA data shows approximately 40,000 people die in US traffic accidents annually, with 94% involving human error.

Critics: Safety experts point out that fully relying on AI systems may face challenges in extreme weather, complex construction zones, and emergencies. Cruise’s safety incidents in San Francisco previously raised public concerns about autonomous vehicle safety. Additionally, labor unions worry that large-scale driverless deployment will lead to job losses for taxi and rideshare drivers.

Industry Analysts: Morgan Stanley analysts believe Zoox’s approval will accelerate the establishment of supporting legal frameworks for autonomous vehicle insurance and liability determination, predicting more state-level legislation within the next 18 months.

Editor: GoodInfo Global News Team