The US transportation authority NHTSA has granted Amazon subsidiary Zoox a special permit for the demonstration use of its autonomous shuttles on public roads. Until now, vehicles without a steering wheel and driver’s seat were only allowed to be used in exceptional cases. The NHTSA stipulates to car manufacturers what equipment and safety measures must be included in cars.
Zoox is the first manufacturer to produce a vehicle designed purely for autonomous operation and controlled by a computer. The vehicles – also lovingly known as Zooxie among some Zoox-employees – resemble a cabin scooter in which four passengers sit opposite each other on two benches. The vehicle itself can travel in both directions and reach top speeds of up to 75 miles per hour (120 km/h).
In 2022, the NHTSA began investigating whether vehicles without traditional steering and control devices are safe to drive. Zoox applied for an exemption in June 2025 and has now received it. It is now expected that up to 2,500 vehicles may be used under this special permit. Zoox currently has around 270 of these vehicles.
This article was also published in German.
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