The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration issued an exemption to Zoox for testing its autonomous robotaxis, addressing concerns about compliance with federal safety standards. Zoox had previously claimed its vehicles, lacking traditional controls, met these standards. Despite previous investigations, Zoox continued to advance its technology and expanded testing to multiple cities. NHTSA’s new framework, called AV STEP, aims to simplify the process for companies seeking to deploy vehicles that do not adhere to conventional safety requirements, allowing for expedited exemptions and future commercial operations without manual controls.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted Zoox an exemption to demonstrate its custom-built robotaxis on public roads, clearing a previous investigation into federal compliance.
Zoox's vehicles, which lack traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals, had prompted debates over compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards, which typically require such features.
The NHTSA's announcement is part of a new framework aimed at facilitating the deployment of autonomous vehicles without conventional manual controls at scale, known as AV STEP.
The revised process allows faster applications for exemptions, enabling companies like Zoox to conduct testing, demonstrations, and move towards commercial operations in the future.
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