Latest news with #AutomatedVehicleExemptionProgram
Business Insider
10 hours ago
- Automotive
- Business Insider
Amazon's (AMZN) Robotaxis Ready to Roll as NHTSA Grants Exemption
Amazon's (AMZN) autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Zoox, just got the green light to hit the road. After months of review, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has granted Zoox a key exemption from federal vehicle safety standards, allowing its steering-wheel-free robotaxis to operate on public roads across the U.S. Elevate Your Investing Strategy: Take advantage of TipRanks Premium at 50% off! Unlock powerful investing tools, advanced data, and expert analyst insights to help you invest with confidence. This marks a key step for Zoox, which has always focused on building a unique self-driving shuttle with no pedals, no steering wheel, and seats that face each other. With the approval, Zoox can grow its business and start making up to 10,000 vehicles a year at its new factory in Hayward, California. Importantly, the clearance strengthens Zoox's position as it prepares to launch its service and compete with rivals like Alphabet's (GOOGL) Waymo. Approval Comes Under New Policy The exemption is part of a change in U.S. policy. In April, the Department of Transportation expanded its Automated Vehicle Exemption Program to include domestically produced self-driving vehicles, not just ones imported. It must be highlighted that as a condition of the approval, Zoox is required to 'remove or cover' any claims that its vehicles meet these specific federal safety rules. The NHTSA also closed its investigation into how Zoox certified its robotaxis, which started in March 2023. What's Next for AMZN's Zoox With this approval, Zoox can launch its robotaxi service later this year, starting in Las Vegas. It also plans to expand to big cities like San Francisco, Austin, Miami, Los Angeles, and Atlanta. Similar to Waymo, Zoox has obtained permission to offer paid rides in California. Its vehicles use a full set of sensors, lidar, radar, thermal cameras, microphones, and regular cameras to safely navigate the roads. Is Amazon a Buy, Hold, or Sell? Turning to Wall Street, AMZN stock has a Strong Buy consensus rating based on 43 Buys and one Hold assigned in the last three months. At $264.21, the average Amazon stock price target implies a 24.83% upside potential.
UPI
20 hours ago
- Automotive
- UPI
First U.S. automaker gets federal automated vehicle exemption
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy called it a "win-win for safety and innovation" after the nation's first automaker received an exemption from some federal regulations while developing its autonomous vehicle on Wednesday. File Photo by Annabelle Gordon/UPI | License Photo Aug. 6 (UPI) -- California-based Zoox is the first U.S. manufacturer of automated vehicles to be exempted from full compliance with federal motor vehicle safety standards. The Department of Transportation announced the exemption for Zoox after earlier enabling foreign makers of autonomous vehicles to request the same exemption. "This is a win-win for safety and innovation," Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said in a news release on Wednesday. "Companies like Zoox have a process to create and test their latest technologies," Duffy continued. "America, not China, can and will drive the future of self-driving cars forward." Zoox is based in Foster City, Calif., and announced it is launching an autonomous ride-hailing service in Las Vegas this year. "From the moment guests step into our robotaxi, they're immersed in the future of transportation, with the freedom to focus on their next adventure rather than the road ahead," Zoox Chief Product Officer Michael White said. Because Zoox received the exemption, it cannot display signs saying its vehicles comply with federal motor vehicle safety standards. Officials with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration in April expanded its Automated Vehicle Exemption Program to include U.S. firms after initially only exempting qualifying foreign-made AVs. NHTSA officials called the program an "unnecessary regulatory barrier" for U.S.-built autonomous vehicles, which don't have drivers. NHTSA can exempt such vehicles for research, demonstrations and other purposes that enable their manufacturers to develop and improve the emerging technologies. "This exemption promotes innovative designs, such as prototype vehicles, through a ... review process that considers the overall safety of the vehicle along with the purposes for which the exemption is requested," NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said in April. "To cultivate this nation's tremendous potential for automotive innovation, the same exemption opportunities enjoyed by foreign vehicles must be made available for vehicles built in the United States," Simshauser added. He did not say why only foreign automakers were allowed to request the exemption before April. NHTSA did not immediately respond to a UPI request for comment on Wednesday afternoon.
CNBC
a day ago
- Automotive
- CNBC
Amazon's Zoox robotaxi unit clears regulatory hurdle, safety probe
Amazon's Zoox has cleared a key regulatory hurdle, paving the way for demonstrations of its self-driving robotaxis. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said Wednesday that it granted Zoox an exemption from some requirements, a first for U.S.-built vehicles under a recently expanded program. "Transportation innovators can be confident in getting speedy review of their vehicles and, as appropriate, exemption from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards," NHTSA Chief Counsel Peter Simshauser said in a release. The company must remove all existing statements that its purpose-built vehicles meet all federal motor vehicle safety standards. As part of the announcement, NHTSA said it's closing a probe opened in March 2023 into Zoox's self-certification that its robotaxi met federal safety standards. "Through this new exemption process, we are excited to embark on this new path, put these discussions behind us, and move forward," Zoox said in a statement. The Department of Transportation in April announced it would expand a program that aims to speed up the autonomous vehicle exemption process to include domestically produced vehicles. Previously, it was limited to imported AVs. The easing of regulations will benefit Zoox and its competitors. Tesla has announced that it plans to produce a two-seater CyberCab with no steering wheel or pedals down the line. The expansion of the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program could make it easier for the company to conduct testing and operate on public, U.S. roadways if Elon Musk's automaker can meet the agency's requirements. Zoox, founded 11 years ago and purchased by Amazon for $1.3 billion in 2020, has been gearing up for further expansion this year. The company in June opened a robotaxi manufacturing facility in the San Francisco Bay Area, where it aims to eventually produce 10,000 vehicles a year once it's at full scale. Zoox needs more of its toaster-shaped robotaxis to roll off the assembly line to fulfill its mission of deploying a commercial ride-hailing service in the U.S. The company has eyed Las Vegas as its first commercial market, and said it plans to begin service there later this year.
Globe and Mail
26-04-2025
- Automotive
- Globe and Mail
Tesla Stock (TSLA) Turbocharged as U.S. Makes Self Driving Rule Changes to Race Past China
Shares in troubled EV maker Tesla (TSLA) revved up higher today after it received a rare bit of good news on the future of self-driving cars in the U.S. Stay Ahead of the Market: Discover outperforming stocks and invest smarter with Top Smart Score Stocks. Filter, analyze, and streamline your search for investment opportunities using Tipranks' Stock Screener. Easier to Deploy It seems President Donald Trump has listened to his buddy, Tesla chief executive Elon Musk, and made changes to federal rules on autonomous vehicles to make it easier to deploy the vehicles and even loosen requirements around accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it will continue its requirement that vehicles equipped with certain advanced driver assistance systems or self-driving systems report safety incidents but it said will streamline reporting requirements. The NHTSA will also expand its Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP) to include domestically produced vehicles. The program previously allowed only certain foreign vehicles to be deployed on U.S. roads without fully complying with NHTSA's Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards for research or demonstration purposes. However, vehicles built in America can also now submit requests for similar exceptions. Challenge China U.S. transportation secretary Sean Duffy said the new framework will slash red tape to spur innovation and challenge China. 'We are in a race with them to out-innovate and the stakes couldn't be higher,' he said. Musk had called for these changes in part to help the rollout of his fleet of Cybercabs in Texas this June. According to the Financial Times, to win approval Tesla needs an exemption from the agency to operate a non-standard car on American roads. Tesla stock has swerved off track in 2025 battered by rising Chinese competition, concerns over tariffs and the reputational hit to the company given Musk's close relationship with the colourful Trump administration. Following a woeful set of first quarter results when profits slumped by 71%, Musk has promised to refocus on his day job and spend less time working for Trump as head of the controversial Department of Government Efficiency or DOGE. An easing in self-driving rules could be a good way to kickstart those Tesla batteries. Is TSLA a Good Stock to Buy Now? On TipRanks, TSLA has a Hold consensus based on 17 Buy, 11 Hold and 12 Sell ratings. Its highest price target is $465. TSLA stock's consensus price target is $284.74 implying an 9.72% upside. See more TSLA analyst ratings Disclaimer & Disclosure Report an Issue
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
TechCrunch Mobility: Slate's ‘transformer' EV truck breaks cover and Tesla's dueling realities
Welcome back to TechCrunch Mobility — your central hub for news and insights on the future of transportation. Sign up here for free — just click TechCrunch Mobility! Busy week, so let's get to it. Starting with federal regulations! Woohoo. Exciting stuff. I'm talking about the U.S. Department of Transportation's new Automated Vehicle Framework, which includes a standing general order (SGO) on crash reporting for vehicles equipped with certain advanced driver-assistance systems and automated driving systems. There were also some changes to the Automated Vehicle Exemption Program (AVEP). Briefly, the AVEP handles language and processes of domestic and imported vehicles receiving exemptions. I want to spend a bit more time on the SGO, which has more significant changes. The Trump administration says it streamlines the process; others, like Consumer Reports, disagree. The SGO ends a 24-hour reporting requirement and instead allows companies five days to submit a report if a vehicle with a Level 2 system is involved in a crash. As Consumer Reports notes, the new order also changes reporting requirements for when a vehicle with Level 2 driving automation has been towed away after a crash. In the past, any vehicle with a Level 2 or above advanced driver-assistance system involved in a crash that DID NOT involve a fatality or hitting a vulnerable road user like a pedestrian or cyclist still had to report it within five days. Now the rule will only apply to vehicles with ADS (automated driving systems), which cuts out the bulk of vehicles on the road today. That means if a Tesla that has Autopilot engaged (or a GM vehicle with Super Cruise or Ford with its BlueCruise system on) crashes and must be towed, it doesn't need to report that to the feds as long as the incident did not involve a fatality, an individual being transported to a hospital for medical treatment, a pedestrian or other vulnerable road user being struck, or an air bag deployment. Reporting is still required for any vehicle with Level 2 ADAS (like Tesla Autopilot) or ADS that is in a crash in which there is a fatality, an air bag is deployed, a person is transported to the hospital, or a vulnerable road user is hit. During an interview at a Semafor event, DOT Secretary Sean Duffy seems to give a nod to those rules (although he says "autonomous" and not "ADAS") when he said, 'What we want to do is be able to get good data, but if there's a scraping of paint off of an autonomous vehicle, the reporting requirements became very laborious and challenging, and it slowed the process down.' Think I got this wrong? Reach out. OK, on to the rest. Slate, the Bezos-backed EV startup, broke cover at an event in Long Beach, California. Many of the details that senior reporter Sean O'Kane reported in his initial scoop were finally presented to the public. Earlier in the week, we published some other insider details thanks to some little birds that describe how leaders have internally described the Slate EV as a 'transformer" — as in the animated 'more than meets the eye' series. Turns out, that is exactly what the company is pitching to customers. Got a tip for us? Email Kirsten Korosec at or my Signal at kkorosec.07, Sean O'Kane at or Rebecca Bellan at Or check out these instructions to learn how to contact us. Ather Energy, the Indian startup manufacturing electric two-wheelers, cut the size of its initial public offer by 18% to 26.26 billion Indian rupees ($308.3 million). DoorDash wants to buy Deliveroo for $3.6 billion, Axios reported. Electra, the hybrid electric aircraft startup, raised $115 million in a Series B round led by Prysm Capital. Jay Park, co-founder and managing partner at Prysm, has joined Electra's board of directors. Fora, a travel agent startup based in New York, raised $60 million across Series B and C rounds. Josh Kushner's Thrive co-led the $40 million Series C round. The venture arm of United Airlines has invested an undisclosed amount in JetZero, a startup developing a blended wing body design. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai received some attention for remarks during the company's earnings call about its self-driving vehicle unit Waymo. In response to a question, he said, as part of a longer answer, 'There's future optionality around personal ownership as well.' Waymo has talked vaguely about licensing its tech (presumably to automakers) before, so I wouldn't read too much into this. But it's certainly notable that Pichai said it in an earnings call. Tesla has started testing its autonomous ride-hail service with employees in Austin and the Bay Area ahead of the company's planned robotaxi launch this summer. Volkswagen of America and Uber plan to launch a commercial robotaxi service — using autonomous electric VW ID. BUZZ vehicles — in multiple U.S. cities over the next decade. The companies expect to launch a commercial service in Los Angeles by late 2026, although it will initially include human safety drivers. The news brought me back to 2017-18 — an era of partnership announcements, many of which never materialized. VW has a lot of work to do before it launches commercially, including gaining even the most basic testing permit. Aidan Gomez, the co-founder and CEO of generative AI startup Cohere, joined Rivian's board. I don't want to read too deeply into the appointment, but it does signal Rivian's interest in applying AI to its own venture while positioning itself as a software leader — and even provider — within the automotive industry. Faraday Future somehow still exists and its board has appointed founder Jia Yueting as the company's co-CEO, three years after he was sidelined following an internal probe into allegations of fraud. Side note: A Securities and Exchange Commission investigation remains ongoing. Tesla earnings supported a hypothesis I've had cooking in my brain for a while now. The company exists in contradictory realities. In one, Tesla's profits are down 71% YoY, automotive revenues continue to fall, and its energy business is exposed to the U.S.-China trade war. In the other, Tesla is really an AI company that finally has the attention of its CEO Elon Musk and is on the cusp of launching an autonomous vehicle ride-hailing service and a cheaper EV — although it has yet to do either. Investors grabbed on to the Tesla-is-an-innovator reality with both hands and they really don't want to let go — even if the reality is that anti-Musk sentiment is affecting the brand and is even an official risk in its regulatory filing. Musk's comments about allocating more time to Tesla and less at DOGE helped push them there. If you want to catch up on all the nuggets in the earnings report and call, scroll through our Tesla earnings wrap-up. The Federal Trade Commission filed a lawsuit against Uber, alleging the company charged customers for its Uber One subscription service without their consent. What is Lyft's loss is Uber's gain. Delta SkyMiles members in the United States can now start earning points when they ride with Uber or order delivery through Uber Eats as part of a recently announced exclusive partnership between the two companies. (Lyft had a partnership with Delta.)
