It is also worth mentioning that Zoox does not operate a commercial service yet. However, in San Francisco, it has opened its robotaxi up to employees and hosted family and friends. Earlier this year, the company also launched the Zoox Explorer program, which has the purpose of offering public rides in Las Vegas.
For now, the exemption allows Zoox to demonstrate the robotaxis, and not operate them commercially. NHTSA also made an announcement in connection with its new national framework, which the agency argues will make it easier for companies to deploy autonomous vehicles without traditional manual driving controls such as steering wheels, pedals, and sideview mirrors at scale.
The framework, also known as AV STEP, 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 also involves an expedited app that makes it possible for companies such as Zoox to receive an exemption for testing and demonstrations, and eventually commercial operations. Zoox spokesperson Whitney Jencks said in an email that Zoox is now working in a close partnership with NHTSA in the process, reported TechCrunch.
And, as a response and part of the agreement, NHTSA has closed the investigation into Zoox's self-certification of its AVs. Even more so, Zoox has agreed to remove all statements saying theri vehicles comply with applicable Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards.
