Federal regulators, including the National Highway Transportation Safety Agency (NHTSA), are investigating whether Amazon subsidiary Zoox’s robotaxis meet the requirements to travel on public roads. Zoox reportedly self-certified the vehicles and began using them to transport employees last week on a 1-mile loop between Zoox buildings. While the California Department of Motor Vehicles allowed the self-certification, NHTSA is scrutinizing the vehicles to ensure they conform to existing Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
Unlike most other self-driving vehicles, Zoox’s robotaxis lack a steering wheel, brake pedal, or any other controls a human driver would need to take over. According to Zoox CEO Aicha Evans, the electric vehicles meet the necessary safety standards, and the company began compliance efforts years ago when it first started its robotaxi blueprint back in 2014.
See also: Zoox Launches First Pedal-Free Robotaxi Rides on Public Roads in California
While manufacturers can self-certify compliance, NHTSA may review those self-certifications to ensure that they conform with the agency’s standards. Even if an autonomous vehicle does not comply, it can still be deployed with a NHTSA exemption. However, reports suggest that Zoox did not pursue any regulatory avenues, nor did it apply for an exemption. Nonetheless, Evans told Automotive News that there were “no limitations” on Zoox’s deployment.
“The agency is evaluating the basis for these self-certification claims, and, as part of this effort, continues to review information provided by Zoox in response to questions previously proposed by the agency.” a spokesperson for the NHTSA told Automotive News.
The NHTSA evaluates the basis for self-certification claims and is reviewing information provided by Zoox in response to questions previously proposed by the agency. The agency does not pre-approve or stop the introduction of new vehicles or technologies, as long as they conform with existing motor vehicle safety standards.
