Zoox launches commercial robotaxi service with NHTSA exemption
Original: TechCrunch Mobility: Zoox prepares for launch and Uber’s AV empire
Why This Matters
Zoox's NHTSA exemption sets a regulatory precedent enabling commercial deployment of steeringwheel-free robotaxis industry-wide.
Amazon-owned Zoox will begin charging for robotaxi rides on August 10, 2026, after receiving a NHTSA exemption allowing it to operate up to 2,500 vehicles commercially for two years. The company currently operates in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with expansion to Miami and Austin underway.
Zoox, the Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company, will officially launch commercial robotaxi operations on August 10, 2026, following a key regulatory exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Because Zoox vehicles lack traditional controls such as a steering wheel and pedals, the company required a federal exemption to operate commercially. The new exemption permits Zoox to run a fleet of up to 2,500 vehicles for a two-year commercial period. Riders are already using Zoox robotaxis in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with an early rider program also opening in Miami and Austin.
The exemption is also expected to benefit other AV developers building steeringwheel-free vehicles, most notably Tesla, which is developing its two-seater Cybercab.
Separately, Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi confirmed during an earnings call that the company will commit $10 billion "over the coming years" to deploy 120,000 driverless vehicles, matching a prior Financial Times estimate.
In funding news, Moove — a Dubai-based ride-hail fleet operator with 42,000 vehicles across 13 countries — raised $250 million in a Series C round led by Mubadala Investment Company. Moove is now valued at $2.1 billion and serves as the fleet operator for Waymo in Phoenix, Miami, Las Vegas, and future markets including London.