Amazon's Zoox company received an exemption from the US Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) requirements, allowing it to start commercial use of specially designed robotaxis without human control. This means that for the first time in the US, vehicles without human control have been permitted for commercial use.
Zoox's robotaxis are designed without human control elements such as a steering wheel, brake pedal, gas pedal, or rearview mirrors. These vehicles can travel at speeds of up to 75 mph (120 km/h) and can easily maneuver in busy city centers. The vehicles have been tested for more than a year in Las Vegas and San Francisco, covering hundreds of thousands of kilometers.
Zoox's robotaxis will be the first vehicles without human control permitted for commercial use in the US. This will be a milestone for the autonomous vehicle industry and may lead other companies to develop similar vehicles. However, there are still some obstacles for Zoox to start using these vehicles. The company continues to work closely with NHTSA to ensure the safety of the vehicles.