Amazon's Zoox Gets Green Light for Driverless Robotaxis in U.S.

Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Amazon, has achieved a significant milestone, gaining approval to operate its fully driverless electric minibuses on public roads in the United States. The company's vehicles, notably lacking a steering wheel, will be allowed to transport fare-paying passengers.

This regulatory breakthrough permits Zoox's vehicles to operate even though they do not comply with all existing U.S. traffic regulations, which typically mandate features like steering wheels. The approval signifies a major step forward for the company's ambitions in the autonomous ride-hailing sector.

The decision is expected to accelerate the deployment of autonomous vehicles for commercial use, potentially reshaping urban transportation. Zoox aims to offer a new mobility service, leveraging Amazon's extensive resources to scale its operations and compete in the rapidly evolving autonomous driving market.