Zoox, Amazon’s robotaxi unit, received on July 30, 2026 the first-ever commercial exemption from the NHTSA, authorizing the deployment of steering-wheel-free vehicles for paid commercial service. The exemption covers up to 2,500 vehicles annually for two years, with vehicles capable of reaching speeds up to 75 mph. Zoox launched free rides in Las Vegas in September 2025 and in San Francisco, but still needs state-level approval in Nevada and California before charging passengers. The company also plans to expand to Austin and Miami by late 2026. This decision makes Zoox the first player to obtain federal authorization for revenue-generating autonomous robotaxis in the United States, intensifying competition with Waymo, which already operates paid services, and Tesla.
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