Zoox's Bold Move: Driverless Taxis Hit the Streets of San Francisco and Las Vegas
Matilda
Zoox's Bold Move: Driverless Taxis Hit the Streets of San Francisco and Las Vegas
In a groundbreaking move, Zoox, the Amazon-backed autonomous vehicle company, has begun testing its custom-built robotaxis on public roads in San Francisco and Las Vegas. These futuristic vehicles, designed without traditional steering wheels or pedals, represent a significant leap forward in the realm of autonomous transportation. A Regulatory Grey Area The deployment of these driverless taxis has raised questions about regulatory compliance. While federal regulations currently prohibit the commercial operation of autonomous vehicles lacking human controls, companies can apply for exemptions. Zoox, however, has not pursued this route. Instead, the company claims to have self-certified its AVs. This assertion has drawn scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which is actively investigating the matter. One potential avenue for Zoox to navigate this regulatory landscape is the FAST Act, a federal law that provides an exception for testing and evaluation of…
