Zoox petitioned the auto safety agency in August, seeking exemptions from eight federal vehicle safety standards designed for human operators. The company asserts its vehicles would match human driver safety, though the specific standards and its demonstration plan remain unclear. S.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy hailed this as a major milestone towards providing the American AV industry with a streamlined pathway to scaled commercial deployment of novel AV fleets. S. roads without human controls.
Spend your time on what you care about and let Zoox handle the traffic as you enjoy a smooth ride in a spacious cabin.
, Austin, and Miami rides coming soon. The Zoox fully autonomous electric robotaxi, unveiled in December 2020, boasts a top speed of 75 miles per hour and features unique campfire- or carriage-style seating. NHTSA has spent years reviewing petitions without action, and automakers previously voiced frustration over its slow pace, with the timeline for a decision on Zoox's petition still unknown.
Manufacturers must prove equivalent safety and public interest to gain NHTSA approval, and last year, NHTSA announced streamlining reviews for automakers deploying self-driving vehicles without traditional controls. Fully self-driving vehicles do not need NHTSA approval if they retain human controls. In 2018, General Motors petitioned NHTSA to deploy up to 2,500 cars without steering wheels or brake pedals, but GM withdrew its 2018 petition in 2020, and a renewed 2022 request was also withdrawn in October 2024, with the exact reasons for both withdrawals not disclosed.