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In just a few days, Amazon-owned Zoox will begin charging for robotaxi rides. On the surface, that might seem like a modest step—the company's custom-built robotaxis have already been ferrying passengers in Las Vegas and San Francisco, and it's expanding with an early rider program in Miami and Austin. But none of that matters commercially until the company can actually charge for rides.
Now, starting August 10, it can—thanks to an exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because Zoox's vehicles lack traditional controls like steering wheels and pedals, federal motor vehicle standards required a special waiver. The company previously held an exemption for demonstration purposes; this new one permits Zoox to operate a fleet of up to 2,500 vehicles commercially for two years.
This is a clear win for Zoox, but it also opens the door for other autonomous vehicle developers eager to deploy driverless vehicles without conventional equipment. For example, why include a rearview mirror when exterior sensors already provide full visibility? The exemption signals that regulators are increasingly willing to adapt standards to the realities of driverless technology.
Tesla is the obvious next beneficiary, given its two-seater Cybercab in development. But expect many others to follow suit.
In other news, you may have missed my in-depth look at Uber's autonomous vehicle empire. It covers every company Uber has partnered with—and in some cases, invested in. And from what I'm hearing, more deals are on the horizon.
The Financial Times estimated Uber's AV investments at around $10 billion. Fittingly, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed that exact figure during the company's earnings call, stating Uber would commit $10 billion “over the coming years” to deploy 120,000 driverless vehicles. That's a bold bet on a future where humans are out of the loop—and it's one to watch closely.
Deals!
Editor's note: This section continues with the latest funding rounds, partnerships, and M&A activity in the mobility space.
via TechCrunch