Jul 31, 2026 19:30:00

Amazon's robotaxi company Zoox has obtained the first commercial service license for its dedicated vehicles.

Zoox, the Amazon-owned robotaxi company that has been conducting free trials in multiple cities, has announced that it has received permission to operate commercially from

the U.S. Department of Transportation's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) . This is the first time a company operating a service with dedicated vehicles has received permission, and it will allow for the deployment of up to 2,500 vehicles over two years.

Zoox gets NHTSA Part 555 Exemption for purpose-built robotaxi.
https://zoox.com/journal/zoox-nhtsa-part-555-commercial-exemption

New AV Safety Standards & Zoox Robotaxi Exemption | NHTSA
https://www.nhtsa.gov/press-releases/cutting-red-tape-safely-fast-track-automated-vehicle

With the stabilization of autonomous driving technology, several companies are developing robotaxis, which transport users in driverless vehicles.

For example, Waymo, which spun off from an internal Google project in 2016, launched its robotaxi service in Phoenix, Arizona in December 2018 after a period of testing. A paid service for heavy users, 'Waymo Premier,' also began in June 2026.

Waymo, the robotaxi company, launches paid program 'Waymo Premier,' offering benefits such as skipping lines, 10% cashback, and up to 5 free ride cancellations per month - GIGAZINE

In 2025, major EV manufacturer Tesla also entered the robotaxi business. However, while other companies achieve 'fully autonomous driving' by using a combination of LiDAR, radar, and cameras, Tesla relies on computer vision using cameras, and its high accident rate has been pointed out.

Tesla's robotaxis have been involved in 14 collisions in the 9 months since launch, four times more frequently than human drivers - GIGAZINE

Zoox also launched its service in Las Vegas in September 2025.

Amazon's robotaxi 'Zoox' launches service in Las Vegas - GIGAZINE

What sets Zoox apart is that, unlike other companies that use vehicles based on existing automobiles, it uses robotaxi vehicles specifically designed for robotaxis, with no steering wheel or pedals inside. Zoox is the first to offer robotaxi services using dedicated vehicles, and is also the first to obtain a license for commercial service.

This permit is part of the Department of Transport's 'Accelerating EV Innovation' initiative, which will allow Zoox to commercially deploy up to 2,500 vehicles per year for two years.

Zoox CEO Aisha Evans posted a joyous comment on LinkedIn, which reads as follows:

'Today marks a significant milestone for Zoox and the future of autonomous mobility. We are honored to have received the first-ever commercial operating license from the NHTSA for a specially designed robotaxis. This allows Zoox to begin charging for its service and take a step towards bringing autonomous ride-hailing services to more communities.'

I am deeply grateful for the meticulous cooperation I received throughout this process from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison, the NHTSA, and all the administrative authorities. This achievement embodies our commitment to driving innovation while maintaining the highest level of safety.

We are proud to be developing this technology in the United States, and we look forward to continuing to work with regulators, policymakers, and industry partners to play a part in shaping the future of transportation.

Today marks an important milestone for Zoox and the future of autonomous mobility. We are honored to receive the first-ever commercial exemption for a purpose-built robotaxi from National Highway… | Aicha Evans | 67 comments

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/aicha-evans-4365731_today-marks-an-important-milestone-forzoox-activity-7488636652018601984-x_5F

Zoox's paid service is scheduled to launch in Las Vegas in August 2026. The service area is expected to expand to meet the state's commercialization requirements.