Kuala Lumpur (VNA) – Malaysia on July 31 officially launched a Remote Operations Centre (ROC) to support autonomous logistics operations using RoboVan delivery vehicles in Cyberjaya. The ROC serves as a central command hub, enabling real-time monitoring of autonomous vehicles through live video feeds and system diagnostics. Although the RoboVans are capable of operating fully autonomously within their designated operational domain, the ROC provides an additional layer of safety by allowing operators to maintain situational awareness and coordinate timely assistance whenever necessary. Alan Chong, Chief Executive Officer of Autonomous Logistics Solutions (ALS), said the company has successfully delivered more than 70,000 parcels since its establishment in August last year. The operational data collected from these deliveries will help strengthen public confidence while supporting the development of road regulations governing autonomous vehicles in Malaysia. The ROC launch forms part of Selangor state's strategic roadmap to become a regional hub for artificial intelligence and mobility innovation by 2030. Yong Kai Ping, Chief Executive Officer of the Selangor Information Technology and Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec), said the monitoring infrastructure represents a concrete step towards building a fully integrated autonomous mobility ecosystem rather than relying on isolated pilot projects. The initiative is also closely linked to the development of the Malaysia Chip Design Park, which focuses on designing edge chips for robots and autonomous vehicles. The high-tech ecosystem currently employs more than 400 engineers and aims to expand its workforce to 1,000 highly skilled professionals by 2030, while increasing local manufacturing content to at least 30%. During the launch ceremony, ALS demonstrated the RoboVan and the ROC's operating system, showcasing the vehicle's ability to detect obstacles and perform safe autonomous parking. The Cyberjaya testing route has now been expanded to 22 kilometres with 21 stops, covering a range of complex urban environments to validate
Jul 31, 2026 · via en.vietnamplus.vn
Atlas Energy Solutions Expands AI-Enabled Digital Transformation of Oilfield Logistics with Kodiak-Powered Driverless Trucks Partnership to expand autonomous truck fleet to 100 vehicles by mid-2027 for deliveries across the Atlas now operates driverless trucks at additional load-out point, expanding service and increasing daily load counts and customer responsiveness This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260731504868/en/ Working with In addition, Atlas and Kodiak have agreed to a delivery timetable that will expand Atlas’s Kodiak-enabled fleet from 28 driverless trucks operating as of “This partnership with Kodiak is a critical part of the Atlas strategy to transform oilfield sand logistics through innovation,” said Atlas helps oil and gas producers overcome complex operational and technical challenges by providing high-quality proppant critical to well completions. By integrating mining and transportation automation with advanced last-mile logistics management, Atlas accelerates and simplifies access to critical oil and natural gas resources while reducing operational complexity, risk and cost. Atlas is now concurrently operating driverless trucks at load-out sites located in Atlas’s autonomous program has scaled steadily since its initial driverless deployments in 2024. As of “Together, Atlas and Kodiak have deployed the world's largest fleet of driverless big-rig trucks,” said Earlier this year, Kodiak and Atlas collaborated to introduce advanced capabilities making it possible for one autonomous truck to haul three connected trailers simultaneously. This milestone marks the first ever autonomous triple-trailer trucking operation, with a combined loaded weight of more than 135 tons. Kodiak and Atlas expect to operate Atlas trucks on public roads by 2027, dramatically expanding the reach of Atlas’s autonomous fleet. About About Kodiak AI, Inc. Kodiak AI, Inc. was founded in 2018 and is a leading provider of AI-powered autonomous vehicle technology designed to help tackle some of the toughest driving jobs. Kodiak’s driverless solution addresses the critical
Jul 31, 2026 · via markets.ft.com
Rivian raises 2026 delivery guidance after R2 crossover launch; Q2 net loss narrows to $837 million
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Jul 31, 2026 · via autonews.com
CYBERJAYA, July 31 — Malaysia’s first Remote Operations Centre (ROC) for autonomous logistics vehicles has been launched in Cyberjaya, paving the way for Level 4 autonomous vehicle trials on public roads. The facility at CoPlace 9 Cyberjaya was developed by Autonomous Logistic Solutions Sdn Bhd (ALS) in collaboration with the Selangor Information Technology & Digital Economy Corporation (Sidec) and Cyberview Sdn Bhd, and will support trials along the 22km Cyberjaya Malaysia Autonomous Vehicle (MyAV) Route. The route, approved by the Ministry of Transport (MoT) under Malaysia’s autonomous vehicle national regulatory sandbox, serves as a controlled public-road testbed for autonomous vehicle testing, data collection and the development of future regulatory frameworks. ALS managing director Alan Chong said the ROC would provide oversight for the company’s Level 4 autonomous logistics vehicle, the RoboVan, during upcoming trials. The facility functions as a central command centre, allowing operators to monitor the autonomous vehicle in real time through live video feeds, vehicle telemetry, route status and system diagnostics. “Driverless doesn’t mean monitor-less. Every autonomous vehicle still requires human oversight to ensure the highest standards of safety, accountability, and operational reliability. “Through our collaboration with SIDEC and Cyberview, we are establishing Malaysia’s first Remote Operations Center (ROC) as the foundation of a trusted autonomous logistics ecosystem, one that enables the safe, reliable, and scalable deployment of autonomous vehicles across Malaysia and the wider region,” Chong said. The RoboVan trials are expected to begin in the coming months along the MyAV route, which covers areas including Persiaran Apec, Persiaran Cyberpoint and Persiaran Rimba, with the vehicle operating in real-world mixed traffic conditions. First introduced in 2020 with support from the Transport Ministry, Sepang City Council (MPSepang) and Futurise, the MyAV route was initially a 7km testbed before being expanded by an additional 15km in 2025. The 22km
Jul 31, 2026 · via malaymail.com
The Trump Administration Just Named a Front-Runner in the Robotaxi Race Zoox got the first commercial exemption for a driverless car. It came with a promise that safety regulations would evolve “as Zoox's technology advances.” Riding in a car without brake pedals* or a steering wheel might soon be a regular occurrence for residents of Las Vegas and San Francisco. On Thursday, the Transportation Department's National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced it is granting a two-year temporary exemption to autonomous robotaxi company Zoox for commercial deployment of up to 2,500 vehicles annually. Last August, Zoox became the first American autonomous vehicle (A.V.) company to receive a demonstration exemption for its fleet. The company has been operating free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco, with plans to expand to Austin, Texas, and Miami in the near future. The move aligns with Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy's "transportation innovation agenda," which aims to "unleash innovation" and "enable commercial deployment" of A.V.s through deregulation and modernization of federal motor vehicle standards. The agency is simplifying its application process for Part 555 exemptions—a regulatory carveout that allows car companies to test new technology by deploying products in small batches—so more A.V. companies can demonstrate their ability to deploy commercially. In the same press release, the NHTSA also announced it would enter into a three-year partnership with the technology trade association SAE Industry Technologies Consortia to "gather data and accelerate creation" of a national safety standard for A.V.s and replace the "patchwork" of state regulations. In a statement sent to Reason, the NHTSA says it will provide funding for the $5 million consortium of experts responsible for making recommendations. Current motor vehicle standards often fail to consider that required features in typical cars—like rearview mirrors, foot pedals, manual gear shifts, steering wheels, or front-facing
Jul 31, 2026 · via reason.com
BMW Group BMW Group drives digital cockpit, automated driving future with Qualcomm Mobile platform firm named lead compute silicon provider for BMW Group, covering digital cockpit and ADAS/AD systems with model programmes for next decade In the latest part of its stated commitment to using connected technologies to boost safety, vehicle drive, infotainment and passenger/driver experiences, BMW Group has inked an agreement with Qualcomm Technologies, for the provision of compute silicon for BMW Group’s next-generation digital cockpit and advanced driver assistance and automated driving systems (ADAS/AD) over the course of the next decade. With its four brands – BMW, Mini, Rolls-Royce and BMW Motorrad – the BMW Group claims to be the world’s leading premium manufacturer of automobiles and motorcycles, as well as premium financial services. The firm’s production network comprises over 30 sites worldwide, and it has a global sales network in more than 140 countries. The deal is designed to establish a hardware basis for BMW Group to deliver next-generation artificial intelligence (AI-)powered experiences. It comes as the global automotive industry accelerates towards electrification and software-defined vehicles, with automotive services also reliant on connected technologies. Qualcomm Technologies added that the agreement also reflects years of technical collaboration and ability to deliver compute performance and AI capabilities that BMW Group’s most demanding vehicle programmes require. From an individual technology basis, the deal includes the Qualcomm Technologies Snapdragon Digital Chassis solutions, encompassing its system-on-chips (SoCs), the Snapdragon Elite automotive platform and dedicated AI accelerators. Built after more than two decades of investment in automotive-grade silicon and software, the Digital Chassis solutions are each purpose-built for their domain yet designed to work together on a common architecture, enabling the vehicle to function as a unified intelligent system. Nakul Duggal, executive vice-president and group general manager of automotive, industrial and embedded IoT
Jul 31, 2026 · via computerweekly.com
Editor’s note: John McElroy is the president of BlueSky Productions, which produces Autoline Daily, and a longtime opinion columnist for WardsAuto. Views expressed here are his own. Take a look around the American automotive landscape, and you’ll see an industry acting as if new-car sales will grow forever. Before the decade is out, seven brand-new assembly plants are scheduled to come online in the United States alone. Cumulatively, all the big bets Toyota, Ford, Hyundai, Scout, Slate, VinFast, Lucid and Rivian are making on new assembly plants may be tooled to potentially make 1.8 million more cars and trucks. On paper, the logic seems sound: build localized capacity to offset imports, secure domestic supply chains, and prepare for a new era of propulsion. But if you lift up the hood and look at the actual data, you have to ask yourself a very uncomfortable question: Who is going to buy all these cars? According to the latest data from the Federal Reserve, existing automotive assembly plants in the U.S. are currently running at less than 70% of capacity. That means we already have nearly 4 million units of manufacturing capacity sitting entirely idle, gathering dust. And yet, we’re about to aggressively add more supply to a market that is already struggling with excess capacity. This capital expenditure spree is being driven by ten-year product cycles and five-year corporate strategies. But the auto industry is failing to look 20 years out, where a convergence of demographic shifts and alternative mobility trends is about to fundamentally change the concept of vehicle ownership. Look at the tech. Robotaxis are no longer a sci-fi experiment; they are actively picking up passengers in cities across the country. Autonomous "robocars" will transition from commercial fleets to consumer showrooms before this decade is out, according to Mercedes,
Jul 31, 2026 · via wardsauto.com
Amazon's Zoox wins approval to launch paid robotaxi service in U.S. Amazon’s Zoox has become the first autonomous vehicle company to receive a commercial exemption from the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for a purpose-built robotaxi, Qazinform News Agency reports. The exemption, announced by NHTSA as part of a broader initiative to accelerate automated vehicle innovation in the United States, allows Zoox to deploy up to 2,500 purpose-built robotaxis annually for two years under enhanced federal oversight. Founded in 2014, Zoox has developed an autonomous vehicle without traditional manual controls, arguing that a purpose-built design offers a safer, more efficient ride-hailing experience. The company said the approval follows years of cooperation with NHTSA to meet federal vehicle safety standards originally designed for conventional vehicles. The commercial authorization follows a demonstration exemption granted to Zoox in 2025, after U.S. regulators introduced a new exemption pathway for domestic manufacturers of autonomous vehicles without traditional manual controls. Zoox is currently working with regulators in Nevada and California to meet the remaining requirements for commercial operations. It plans to begin charging fares in Las Vegas next month before expanding its service. According to the company, more than 500,000 riders have used its free robotaxi service in Las Vegas and the Zoox Explorers Program in San Francisco since their launch last year, while another 500,000 people have joined the waitlist. 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 @NHTSAgov, enabling us to begin charging for our service. My sincere thanks to @SecDuffy,… As part of the announcement, NHTSA said it will accelerate the development of the first national performance standards for autonomous vehicles through the three-year, $5 million A2SCEND consortium with SAE Industry Technologies
Jul 31, 2026 · via qazinform.com
FORT Sill, OK.- Warfare is evolving at a relentless pace, and the Soldiers of the 2nd Battalion, 18th Field Artillery Regiment, 75th Field Artillery Brigade, are standing at the boundary of that evolution. At the Army’s National Training Center in Fort Irwin, during Project Convergence Capstone 6 (PC-C6), these Fort Sill based artillerymen did not just execute a training exercise; they pioneered a new era of tactical combat power. By putting an experimental autonomous launcher and command system through its paces, the 2-18 FA is demonstrating how the Army is transforming in contact to build a faster, more lethal, and more survivable force. At the heart of this transformation is Human-Machine Integration (HMI), a concept that redefines how the military protects its most valuable asset: its Soldiers. The experiment focused on the DeepFires autonomous launcher, a highly mobile, multi-mission platform built to align with the Army's modernization priorities. Developed in partnership with the U.S. Army, Oshkosh, Forterra, Corvid Technologies, and Collins Aerospace, this system builds on insights from PC-C5 and the Contested Force Integration Warfare Exercise (CFWE) to demonstrate what autonomous systems can deliver in lethality, survivability, and flexibility. Under this framework, the dangerous, labor-intensive tasks of forward-position launching and heavy ammunition resupply are shifted to autonomous machines. The tactical decisions, however, remain entirely in the hands of the crew. During PC-C6, this concept took physical form in a leader-follower vehicle configuration. A manned Joint Unmanned Autonomous System Multi-Payload System Command and Control (JUMPS C2) vehicle served as the brain of the operation. From within the safety of this prototype shelter, a small crew of Soldiers directed the actions of two robotic followers: the DeepFires autonomous Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Family of Launchers (MFOM) and the Autonomous Resupply Vehicle (ARV). This architecture allows a small team to deliver a
Jul 31, 2026 · via dvidshub.net
When driverless vehicles are attacked, look for the union label Self-driving cars are coming to major cities, and one group in particular is not happy about this: unions. An effort to bring self-driving vehicles to Washington, DC is opposed by a mysterious organization with apparent union ties. The organization, which calls itself the Coalition for Accountability and Road Safety (CARS), claims that self-driving cars are potential threats to public safety. What it doesn’t say is that it represents organizations with a financial interest in keeping these vehicles off the street. DC’s City Council is considering a bill, “The Autonomous Vehicle Deployment Authorization Amendment Act,” that would allow up to 200 autonomous vehicles (AVs) on its streets, with the possibility of further expanding the fleet in 2028. City Councilmember Charles Allen, the sponsor of this bill, argues that this would present an “opportunity to improve traffic safety and consumer choice in the District.” The bill would require AV companies to have a minimum of $5 million in liability insurance for each vehicle they put in operation. The city’s Department of Transportation would oversee the implementation of the fleet. CARS is running an ad in the DC metro area arguing that the cars are dangerous. “How do you feel about DC neighborhoods being used as a test lab for unproven, driverless technology?” it asks, before urging viewers to contact the council and tell them to reject the bill. Is CARS a local grassroots group? It doesn’t appear to be. Its website doesn’t give any hint as to who backs the group, though the fact that CARS warns that driverless vehicles are “threatening the livelihoods of working families” offers a strong clue. The news website TechCrunch has reported that CARS is registered to an employee of Pitta Bishop & Del Giorno LLC, a
Jul 31, 2026 · via cei.org
Some robotaxis approved to operate without steering wheels and losing the brake pedal could be next LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without manual controls like steering wheels or, eventually, even brake pedals as the rules start to catch up to the evolving technology. Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. At least a couple of people were waiting at most stops Thursday afternoon for rides up and down the Vegas strip aboard one of the distinctive boxy-shaped vehicles. “It’s kind of scary at first, but when I just got used to it, it’s really cool and chilling. I really liked the music and how you can adjust the temperature,” Chloe Huu from Ann Arbor, Michigan, said after taking a ride in a Zoox Thursday. But the projected wait time for the ride kept changing, which made it hard to plan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency wants to update the regulations to fit these fully autonomous vehicles while still acting as the “cop on the beat to make sure that this is being done right.” Most vehicle safety regulations were written decades ago, always with the assumption that there would be a human driver behind the wheel. But Morrison said that things like steering wheels, windshield wipers and side-view mirrors aren’t really needed in an autonomous vehicle. “If you’re going to be developing a standard
Jul 31, 2026 · via newschannel10.com
Some robotaxis approved to operate without steering wheels and losing the brake pedal could be next LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without manual controls like steering wheels or, eventually, even brake pedals as the rules start to catch up to the evolving technology. Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. At least a couple of people were waiting at most stops Thursday afternoon for rides up and down the Vegas strip aboard one of the distinctive boxy-shaped vehicles. “It’s kind of scary at first, but when I just got used to it, it’s really cool and chilling. I really liked the music and how you can adjust the temperature,” Chloe Huu from Ann Arbor, Michigan, said after taking a ride in a Zoox Thursday. But the projected wait time for the ride kept changing, which made it hard to plan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency wants to update the regulations to fit these fully autonomous vehicles while still acting as the “cop on the beat to make sure that this is being done right.” Most vehicle safety regulations were written decades ago, always with the assumption that there would be a human driver behind the wheel. But Morrison said that things like steering wheels, windshield wipers and side-view mirrors aren’t really needed in an autonomous vehicle. “If you’re going to be developing a standard
Jul 31, 2026 · via kotatv.com
COBB COUNTY, Ga. — The Cobb County Board of Commissioners officially voted to bring driverless shuttles to the Cumberland area of the county. The new, automated shuttles will operate near the Battery and Truist Park for a three-year test pilot. According to the commission agenda from the Tuesday meeting, the program is part of what officials said was the Autonomous Vehicle Circulator Pilot Project. That initiative “will introduce autonomous vehicle technology to replace the current method of transit operation in the Cumberland area of Cobb County.” [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: - Interstate 285 construction closure postponed - Why the sky looks so hazy in north Georgia today - Woman killed after tree falls on DeKalb County home identified Currently, that part of Cobb County is among the locations served by CobbLinc, the public transport system. As part of the process to get the AV program up and running, the Cobb County Commission approved acceptance of a $6.6 million grant. The Cumberland Community Improvement District will provide $1.1 million under the terms of a framework agreement for the program, to assist in funding. The program cannot exceed a $7.7 million cost, according to the commission documents. The county itself will not contribute funds to the program, with all involved budgeting to come from federal grants, CCID funding or other non-County sources. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] ©2026 Cox Media Group
Jul 31, 2026 · via wsbtv.com
Some robotaxis approved to operate without steering wheels and losing the brake pedal could be next LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without manual controls like steering wheels or, eventually, even brake pedals as the rules start to catch up to the evolving technology. Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. At least a couple of people were waiting at most stops Thursday afternoon for rides up and down the Vegas strip aboard one of the distinctive boxy-shaped vehicles. “It’s kind of scary at first, but when I just got used to it, it’s really cool and chilling. I really liked the music and how you can adjust the temperature,” Chloe Huu from Ann Arbor, Michigan, said after taking a ride in a Zoox Thursday. But the projected wait time for the ride kept changing, which made it hard to plan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency wants to update the regulations to fit these fully autonomous vehicles while still acting as the “cop on the beat to make sure that this is being done right.” Most vehicle safety regulations were written decades ago, always with the assumption that there would be a human driver behind the wheel. But Morrison said that things like steering wheels, windshield wipers and side-view mirrors aren’t really needed in an autonomous vehicle. “If you’re going to be developing a standard
Jul 31, 2026 · via wifr.com
Some robotaxis approved to operate without steering wheels and losing the brake pedal could be next LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without manual controls like steering wheels or, eventually, even brake pedals as the rules start to catch up to the evolving technology. Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. At least a couple of people were waiting at most stops Thursday afternoon for rides up and down the Vegas strip aboard one of the distinctive boxy-shaped vehicles. “It’s kind of scary at first, but when I just got used to it, it’s really cool and chilling. I really liked the music and how you can adjust the temperature,” Chloe Huu from Ann Arbor, Michigan, said after taking a ride in a Zoox Thursday. But the projected wait time for the ride kept changing, which made it hard to plan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency wants to update the regulations to fit these fully autonomous vehicles while still acting as the “cop on the beat to make sure that this is being done right.” Most vehicle safety regulations were written decades ago, always with the assumption that there would be a human driver behind the wheel. But Morrison said that things like steering wheels, windshield wipers and side-view mirrors aren’t really needed in an autonomous vehicle. “If you’re going to be developing a standard
Jul 31, 2026 · via kfvs12.com
Amazon’s Zoox secures US federal approval for steering-wheel-free robotaxis Zoox will launch its commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas after receiving federal clearance. Zoox, Amazon’s brand of autonomous vehicles, has won approval in the United States for limited commercial deployment of its steering-wheel-free robotaxis, a first for the autonomous transportation industry. On Thursday, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) gave its approval for Zoox to begin charging customers for rides, once it secures state and local approval. Recommended Stories list of 3 items- list 1 of 3US opens probe after a Waymo self-driving car hit a child near a school - list 2 of 3Amazon’s Zoox recalls self-driving vehicles amid emergency response issues - list 3 of 3Waymo runs into safety concerns and competition as it expands in the US As part of that approval, the company was granted an exemption from federal rules that require human controls on motor vehicles. NHTSA administrator Jonathan Morrison told the Reuters news agency that Zoox had so far met its safety requirements. But he indicated there would be a staggered rollout, and no Zoox vehicles would be immediately available for sale to the public. “We can say pretty clearly that the systems in place on the Zoox exceed the equivalent performance requirements of a compliant vehicle,” Morrison said. “But we still want to make sure that the automated driving system will operate appropriately.” According to Morrison, Zoox had received clearance to commercially deploy up to 2,500 vehicles in each of the next two years. The NHTSA is also placing additional reporting requirements on Zoox for issues such as crashes or stopping inappropriately on roads. Still, the approval marks a milestone for companies developing robotaxis that deviate from the models of standard motor vehicles. Zoox’s cars are rectangular, carriage-style vehicles with rows of
Jul 30, 2026 · via aljazeera.com
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Jul 30, 2026 · via dallasnews.com
By JOSH FUNK and TY O’NEIL, Associated Press LAS VEGAS (AP) — Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without manual controls like steering wheels or eventually even brake pedals as the rules start to catch up to the evolving technology. Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. At least a couple people were waiting at most stops Thursday afternoon for rides up and down the Vegas strip aboard one of the distinctive boxy-shaped vehicles. “It’s kind of scary at first, but when I just got used to it, it’s really cool and chilling. I really liked the music and how you can adjust the temperature,” Chloe Huu from Ann Arbor, Michigan, said after taking a ride in a Zoox Thursday. But the projected wait time for the ride kept changing, which made it hard to plan. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency wants to update the regulations to fit these fully autonomous vehicles while still acting as the “cop on the beat to make sure that this is being done right.” Most vehicle safety regulations were written decades ago, always with the assumption that there would be a human driver behind the wheel. But Morrison said that things like steering wheels, windshield wipers and side-view mirrors aren’t really needed in an autonomous vehicle. “If you’re going to be developing a standard in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, nobody at that time
Jul 30, 2026 · via denverpost.com
Amazon’s Zoox unit has won U.S. approval for limited commercial deployment of its novel steering-wheel-free robotaxis, a first for the autonomous ride industry, the U.S. auto safety agency said on Thursday. Zoox said that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s decision gives the company federal approval to begin charging for rides, and that it will soon begin charging for service, first in Las Vegas, with additional markets to follow as it completes various state requirements. The exemption granted by the agency from federal rules requiring human controls, first reported by Reuters, marks a milestone for companies developing robotaxis from the ground up, rather than modifying conventional cars under safety regulations written long before self-driving technology emerged. Along with Zoox, whose electric carriage-style vehicle has two rows of inward-facing seats and a top speed of 75 miles per hour, others such as Tesla and Alphabet’s Waymo are racing to expand autonomous ride-hailing services in the U.S. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison told Reuters that Zoox had received clearance to commercially deploy up to 2,500 vehicles in each of the next two years. Zoox currently carries passengers in parts of Las Vegas and San Francisco as part of testing. The exemption would allow Zoox to charge them fees, subject to state and local approvals. The agency said it determined the vehicle is as safe as an equivalent vehicle meeting federal motor vehicle safety standards that are being waived. Zoox cannot sell any of the vehicles to the public. “We can say pretty clearly that the systems in place on the Zoox exceed the equivalent performance requirements of a compliant vehicle,” Morrison said in an interview. “But we still want to make sure that the automated driving system will operate appropriately.” As part of the exemption, NHTSA is placing additional reporting requirements on Zoox
Jul 30, 2026 · via nbcnews.com
Federal regulators are clearing the way for robotaxis to operate without steering wheels or eventually even brake pedals as the rules start to catch up to the evolving technology. Amazon’s fully autonomous Zoox vehicles got approval Thursday to begin charging customers for rides in the specially designed boxy cars that feature four inward-facing seats once they secure state and local approval. Zoox has already been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco since last year. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration also proposed a rule last month to allow robotaxis to operate without brake pedals, but that proposal is still pending. Administrator Jonathan Morrison said his agency wants to update the regulations to fit these fully autonomous vehicles while still acting as the “cop on the beat to make sure that this is being done right.” Most vehicle safety regulations were written decades ago, always with the assumption that there would be a human driver behind the wheel. But Morrison said that things like steering wheels, windshield wipers and side-view mirrors aren't really needed in an autonomous vehicle. “If you’re going to be developing a standard in the 1970s, 1980s, 1990s, nobody at that time had this imagination, nobody had a crystal ball that you might have technologies that would enable the vehicle to drive itself,” Morrison said. Questions remain about robotaxi safety The Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety group raised concerns about Zoox’s plan to operate without a steering wheel or other standard controls because the company didn’t provide detailed evidence to show that its vehicles could operate safely on public roads. “Lots of promises, lots of glossy language, lots of ‘We believe, we think we’ll do this.’ Yet there really was no data behind the promises, and that’s really concerning to us,” said Peter Kurdock,
Jul 30, 2026 · via cbs19news.com