by Zoox Granted Permission to Test Autonomous Vehicles
The company Zoox, which specializes in the development of autonomous vehicles, has received an important permit from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). This allows it to test its robotaxis without traditional control elements, such as a steering wheel or pedals. This decision is a significant step for the company, which is owned by Amazon.
In 2022, NHTSA launched an investigation into the safety of Zoox vehicles because they were self-certified without conventional controls. However, the company has now received official permission for the demonstration use of its autonomous vehicles.
Changes in Autonomous Vehicle Regulation
This permit is issued under the exemption program for autonomous vehicles, which is part of Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy’s initiative to support innovation in the US. Previously, similar exemptions were granted only to foreign manufacturers, but now American companies can also count on them.
“This is a victory for both safety and innovation. Under President Trump’s leadership, American companies like Zoox have been given the opportunity to develop and test their technologies,” Duffy stated.
However, Zoox will have to revise some of its previous statements regarding compliance with federal safety standards. Furthermore, the company is under close scrutiny from regulators after several incidents, including a collision and a recall due to brake issues.
This step could set an important precedent for other American companies developing autonomous vehicles. At the same time, regulators continue to monitor the safety of such technologies, especially after recent incidents involving autonomous cars. The development of this industry remains a priority for the government, which aims to support US competitiveness in the field of innovation.
