Federal Regulators Greenlight Steering Wheel-Free Robotaxis as Industry Standards Evolve

Amazon’s Zoox division received federal authorization Thursday to begin operating fully autonomous vehicles without steering wheels and to accept payment from passengers, marking a significant regulatory milestone for the robotaxi industry. The approval allows the company to deploy its uniquely designed four-seater vehicles—once state and local jurisdictions grant permission—following years of complimentary service in Las Vegas and San Francisco.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration simultaneously advanced a separate proposal allowing robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, though the rule remains under review. The regulatory shift reflects NHTSA’s commitment to balance innovation with safety oversight, according to administrator Jonathan Morrison, who framed the changes as removing outdated barriers while maintaining performance standards and enforcement authority.

Zoox will initially operate up to 2,500 vehicles without steering wheels over two years as the company demonstrates safety compliance. Amazon acquired Zoox for $1.2 billion and plans to manufacture as many as 10,000 robotaxis annually at a Silicon Valley facility to compete with industry leader Waymo, owned by Google parent Alphabet.

The company has already accumulated more than 500,000 passenger trips across its current fleet, providing NHTSA with real-world data to inform ongoing regulatory decisions.