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TechCrunch
27 minutes ago
- TechCrunch
Federal regulators give Zoox an exemption for its custom-built robotaxis
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given Zoox an exemption to demonstrate its custom-built robotaxis on public roads and closed a related investigation into whether the Amazon-owned company had sidestepped federal regulations. The decision, which was announced Wednesday, clears up a long-standing debate over whether Zoox's custom-built autonomous vehicles complied with federal motor vehicle safety standards, which place requirements on vehicles such as having a steering wheel and pedals. Zoox had argued that it did and announced in July 2022 that it had self-certified; NHTSA balked. The agency opened an investigation in March 2023 to look into the matter, and specifically the process and data that Zoox had used to self-certify. The investigation didn't slow Zoox's development and testing of its autonomous vehicle technology. In early 2023, Zoox began testing its custom-built robotaxis, which don't have a steering wheel or other traditional controls, on public roads near its Fremont, California headquarters. The company has since expanded its testing footprint to Las Vegas and San Francisco. Zoox does not operate a commercial service yet. For now, the exemption allows Zoox to demonstrate the robotaxis, not operate them commercially. NHTSA's announcement is connected to its new national framework, which the agency argues will make it easier for companies to deploy autonomous vehicles without traditional manual driving controls — like steering wheels, pedals, and sideview mirrors — at scale. The framework, known as AV STEP (or ADS-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency and Evaluation Program), allows NHTSA to green-light the sale and commercialization of autonomous vehicles that are not compliant with federal safety standards due to a lack of manual controls. The revised process involves an expedited application that allows companies like Zoox to receive exemptions for testing and demonstrations, and eventually, commercial operations. Zoox spokesperson Whitney Jencks said in an email that Zoox is working in close cooperation with NHTSA on this process, beginning with the demonstration exemption and followed by the commercial exemption. Techcrunch event Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise on August 7. Tech and VC heavyweights join the Disrupt 2025 agenda Netflix, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Sequoia Capital — just a few of the heavy hitters joining the Disrupt 2025 agenda. They're here to deliver the insights that fuel startup growth and sharpen your edge. Don't miss the 20th anniversary of TechCrunch Disrupt, and a chance to learn from the top voices in tech — grab your ticket now and save up to $675 before prices rise. San Francisco | REGISTER NOW As part of the agreement, NHTSA has closed its investigation into Zoox's self-certification of its AVs. Zoox has agreed to remove or cover all statements that its purpose-built vehicles comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Forbes
an hour ago
- Forbes
Feds OK Amazon's Zoox To Operate Robotaxis With No Steering Wheel Or Pedals
A Zoox robotaxi testing in San Francisco Zoox Zoox, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon, has received approval from U.S. regulators to operate its purpose-built electric robotaxis that lack steering wheels, mirrors and conventional vehicle controls on public roads, a necessary step as it prepares to take on Alphabet's Waymo. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said it granted Zoox the first-ever exemption from U.S. rules requiring the use of certain features as part of its expanded Automated Vehicle Exemption Program, which applies to all the company's vehicles now on the road. As part of the waiver, Zoox must 'remove or cover' statements claiming its robotaxi meets Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, NHTSA said. The agency also said it's closing an investigation of Zoox's self-certification of its robotaxis. For the latest in cleantech and sustainability news, sign up here for our Current Climate newsletter. The decision is 'a win-win for safety and innovation,' Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a statement. 'America – not China – can and will drive the future of self-driving cars forward.' The waiver clears the way for Zoox, founded 11 years ago, to launch its robotaxi service later this year, first in Las Vegas, with San Francisco, other Bay Area cities, Austin, Miami, Los Angeles and Atlanta to follow. Like Waymo–and unlike Tesla–the Foster City, California-based company has secured permission to operate paid rides in self-driving vehicles in the Golden State. Also like Waymo, Zoox is using far more robust sensors for its autonomous system, including laser lidar, radar, thermal cameras and microphones (to hear emergency vehicles), in addition to digital cameras. With its decision, 'NHTSA has proposed a way to enable Zoox to move forward with confidence,' the company said in an email. 'Through this new exemption process, we are excited to embark on this new path, put these discussions behind us, and move forward, so Zoox can continue to lead the way in autonomous innovation.' A Zoox robotaxi testing in Las Vegas. Zoox Rather than loading up existing vehicles with sensors and computers like Waymo has, Zoox's plan from the outset has revolved around creating a robotaxi service with an electric model built from the ground up. Along with the absence of conventional physical controls, it features sliding doors reminiscent of transit trains and is a bidirectional vehicle, with identical front and rear ends. The toaster-shaped robotaxi has a top speed of 75 miles per hour, though it won't typically exceed 45 mph on urban and suburban runs. It's also intended to operate for up to 16 hours per charge per day and remain in service for at least five years and 100,000 miles. 'We're offering a unique experience for riders that we think they'll prefer,' cofounder and CTO Jesse Levinson told Forbes during a tour of Zoox's robotaxi factory in Hayward, California, in June. 'The ride quality, the carriage-style seating, the roomy interior–we think all of this is going to be what sets us apart.' More From Forbes Forbes Forget Tesla. Amazon's Zoox Is On Track To Be Waymo's Biggest Robotaxi Rival By Alan Ohnsman Forbes Elon Musk's Tesla Robotaxi Rollout Looks Like A Disaster Waiting To Happen By Alan Ohnsman Forbes Inside The Waymo Factory Building A Robotaxi Future By Alan Ohnsman
Motor 1
an hour ago
- Motor 1
Cadillac Abandons All-EV Plan, Will Refresh XT5 Crossover
Cadillac is the brand that's leading General Motors into its electrified era. It already sells several electric vehicles, but it's not abandoning future buyers who might want a traditional gasoline engine. The automaker will refresh the XT5 for 2027, with plans to build it at General Motors' Spring Hill, Tennessee, factory. The Detroit Free Press obtained a memo that GM sent to the plant's local UAW stating the XT5 would 'continue as a next-generation gas vehicle beyond 2026.' GM confirmed the memo's authenticity to the publication. The interior of China's Cadillac XT5. Photo by: Cadillac The XT5 has been on sale since 2017, receiving a mid-cycle update for 2020. Despite its age, sales of the crossover increased by 4.6 percent, with 12,727 units sold. It's Cadillac's second-best-selling model behind the Escalade , so it's of little surprise the brand wants to keep it around. Cadillac is launching several new electric vehicles, but their outlook has only grown cloudier in recent months. Keeping a popular, gas-powered crossover makes sense in such uncertain times. It's unclear how the automaker will refresh the model. Light exterior and interior redesigns could be on the table, without making significant platform changes. Maybe it'll even have a hybrid powertrain, falling in line with competitors. It's possible Cadillac could simply borrow the design used by the XT5 in China (above). That's just a guess right now, as the company hasn't confirmed any details about the updated model. Either way, consumers will soon have a new XT5 with a gas engine to consider, even as the XT4 and XT6 disappear to make way for more electric vehicles. Cadillac is shifting, but also willing to adjust its plans as needed. Check Out More Cadillac News: The New Cadillac Optiq-V Packs a Ton of Power, Tesla Charging Cadillac Has Sold Fewer Than 25 Celestiqs So Far Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Detroit Free Press Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
