Amazon can finally charge for rides in its amazing steering wheel-less taxis

Amazon has just taken a decisive step in the race for autonomous vehicles. The NHTSA, the American agency in charge of road safety, has granted its subsidiary Zoox an exemption allowing it to market rides in its robotaxis, which lack a steering wheel, pedals, and traditional rearview mirrors.

The federal authorization covers a maximum of 2,500 vehicles per year for two years. However, it is not enough to automatically launch the service nationwide, as Zoox will also need to obtain the necessary permits from local authorities. The first paid rides are expected to be offered in Las Vegas, before a gradual expansion to other markets.

The vehicle designed by Zoox breaks completely with conventional automotive architecture. Electric and capable of traveling in both directions, it features four-wheel steering and two facing bench seats. Numerous sensors provide it with a 360-degree view of its surroundings, while no interior seat is reserved for a driver.

Waymo is facing an increasingly credible competitor

Until now, Zoox could transport passengers for free in certain areas of Las Vegas and San Francisco, but could not charge them for the trip. This restriction severely limited the development of its business model. The Amazon subsidiary already claimed, by March 2026, to have driven approximately 3,2 million kilometers in autonomous mode and transported 350,000 passengers.

The authorization comes with enhanced monitoring. Zoox will be required to report accidents, unusual downtime, and certain problematic vehicle behaviors. The NHTSA may modify operating conditions or even revoke the exemption if it identifies a significant safety risk. This oversight serves as a reminder that commercialization does not constitute final validation of the technology.

This development could significantly intensify competition with Waymo, Alphabet's subsidiary and the current leading robotaxi provider in the United States. Zoox is already preparing its launch in Austin and Miami, while testing its vehicles in several other major cities. By authorizing, for the first time, a paid service designed without human operators, the regulator is also paving the way for a new generation of vehicles, of which Tesla's upcoming Cybercab could be one of the next representatives.