Federal regulators are advancing rules that could permit robotaxis to operate without traditional manual controls, such as steering wheels and potentially even brake pedals. This regulatory evolution aims to align with the rapid advancements in autonomous vehicle technology.
Amazon's fully autonomous Zoox vehicles have received approval to begin charging customers for rides in their specially designed cars. These vehicles feature four inward-facing seats and will operate once state and local permits are secured. Zoox has already been providing free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has proposed a rule to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, though this proposal is still pending. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that the agency intends to update regulations to accommodate these autonomous vehicles while ensuring safety. Many existing vehicle safety regulations were drafted decades ago, with the assumption of a human driver. Morrison noted that features like steering wheels and windshield wipers may not be necessary for autonomous operation.
Concerns have been raised by groups like the Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, which has questioned Zoox's plans for vehicles without standard controls. Peter Kurdock, general counsel for the group, expressed concern over a perceived lack of detailed data supporting the safety of such vehicles on public roads.
Morrison acknowledged that while the technology promises to eliminate issues like distracted or drunk driving, autonomous vehicles have encountered problems, including instances of unexpected stopping or difficulty navigating parking lots. He assured that NHTSA investigates and responds to incidents involving autonomous vehicles, such as those that may interfere with school buses or first responders.
The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has pointed to limitations in the crash data required from autonomous vehicle companies, making it difficult to fully assess their safety records. The institute noted that many companies do not report the total miles driven by their autonomous fleets, which hinders the calculation of crash rates. Furthermore, there is no clear standard for which incidents must be reported, leading to autonomous vehicle companies reporting numerous minor incidents that human drivers might not report.
Zoox is working to compete with industry leaders like Waymo, owned by Google's parent company Alphabet, which already operates in multiple cities. Zoox CEO Aicha Evans called the recent approval a significant milestone for autonomous vehicles, emphasizing a commitment to innovation and safety standards.
Amazon, which acquired Zoox for $1.2 billion, plans to eventually produce up to 10,000 robotaxis annually. Initially, Zoox will be permitted to deploy up to 2,500 vehicles without steering wheels over the next two years, subject to proving the technology's safety. The company reports that over half a million people have already ridden in its vehicles.