美国国家公路交通安全管理局(NHTSA)已批准亚马逊旗下的Zoox公司对其无方向盘机器人出租车向乘客收费[1][2]。NHTSA授予Zoox临时豁免，豁免了传统控制装置的相关要求，包括方向盘、踏板、挡风玻璃除霜和后视镜[1]。根据这项豁免，Zoox在未来两年内每年最多可部署2500辆无方向盘车辆[1][2]。
Zoox的车辆采用独特的设计，配备两个长椅座位和滑动门[1]。公司已在拉斯维加斯和旧金山提供免费乘坐服务，并计划在获得州和地方批准后启动商业运营[2]。根据公司计划，其位于硅谷附近的工厂年产能可达10000辆机器人出租车[2]。迄今为止，已有超过50万人乘坐过Zoox的车辆[2]。
NHTSA还提议允许机器人出租车在没有制动踏板的情况下运营[2]。NHTSA管理员Jonathan Morrison表示："通过消除创新的不必要障碍，制定行业指导，并在创建性能要求的同时提供强有力的执法监督，NHTSA正在采取均衡的自动驾驶汽车监管方法。"[2]
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has granted Amazon-owned Zoox a temporary exemption to operate and charge customers for rides in its steering-wheel-free robotaxis.[1][2] The exemption waives requirements for traditional vehicle controls, including steering wheels, brake pedals, windshield defrosters, and rear-view mirrors.[1] Under the two-year approval, Zoox may deploy up to 2,500 vehicles annually.[1][2]
Zoox's robotaxis are designed with two bench seats and sliding doors, eliminating conventional driving interfaces.[1] The company has already provided complimentary rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with over 500,000 people having used its vehicles.[2] Commercial operations are expected to begin following state and local regulatory clearances.[2] Zoox operates a manufacturing facility near Silicon Valley with plans to produce up to 10,000 robotaxis annually.[2]
NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison stated that the agency is taking "a balanced regulatory approach to autonomous vehicles" by removing unnecessary barriers to innovation while establishing performance requirements and maintaining strong enforcement oversight.[2] The regulator separately proposed allowing robotaxis to operate without brake pedals in future updates.[2]
