Zoox, a company owned by Amazon, is getting ready to offer its self-driving cars for booking on the Uber app. This will happen in Las Vegas later this year. This is a new step to grow robotaxi services in the United States.
But before the service can start for customers, Zoox needs approval from U.S. regulators. They must get exemptions from federal safety standards. This is because their cars are designed without a steering wheel or pedals.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has started asking for public comments. They are considering the company's request for these exemptions. This information comes from a report by TechCrunch, seen by Al-Arabiya Business.
Zoox Service First, Then Uber
Zoox plans to launch its own commercial service first in Las Vegas. After that, its cars will be available on the Uber app.
The company is currently offering free test rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco. They are also working to expand to other U.S. cities like Dallas and Phoenix.
Both companies announced that their partnership is a strategic, multi-year deal. It includes plans to launch the service in Los Angeles by 2027.
Uber Expands Its Self-Driving Network
This is Zoox's first partnership with an outside platform like Uber. However, Uber already works with over 25 companies globally in the self-driving vehicle sector.
A key partnership is with Waymo. Waymo's robot cars are available on the Uber app in Austin and Atlanta.
Uber has also made deals with other companies like Baidu. They also work with Volkswagen, Pony.AI, and May Mobility on self-driving cars.
To support this, Uber created a new division called Uber Autonomous Solutions. This division offers operational and software services to its partners in the self-driving sector. They also have a unit called AV Labs. AV Labs collects real-world driving data to improve self-driving systems.
Waiting for Regulatory Decisions
Zoox is asking for exemptions from eight federal safety standards. These include requirements for windshield wipers and defogging systems. This is because their vehicle design is different.
The public comment period is expected to last for 30 days. A final decision from regulators has not been set yet.
As self-driving car development speeds up, U.S. authorities seem to be creating clearer rules. They aim to balance innovation with the highest safety standards.