Amazon Zoox gets approval for the first paid 'steering-wheel-free' robotaxi service in the U.S.

The U.S. NHTSA has approved Amazon’s Zoox to run a limited paid service for its purpose-built robotaxi without a steering wheel or brake pedals.

Zoox will begin passenger service in Las Vegas and plans to expand as it secures additional state approvals.

The decision marks the first commercial deployment of a dedicated autonomous vehicle built from the ground up.

It sets an important precedent for the robotaxi industry and for federal regulation of self-driving vehicles.