NHTSA has given Zoox a temporary exemption that will allow it to finally charge for rides in it custom-built robotaxi. You might remember that the company received an exemption from certain federal motor vehicle safety standards last year. But that only allowed Zoox to "demonstrate" the vehicle. Now, it can charge for rides, and it looks like it will soon, starting in Las Vegas. California? Well that's a bit more complicated. My story covers that, plus other NHTSA announcements made today that are related to AVs. https://lnkd.in/gpyBXC3E
Frank Rexach
3mo
This feels like an important shift - from proving the technology to proving the business. Once robotaxis begin operating at commercial scale, the focus naturally expands beyond the vehicle itself to the efficiency of the entire fleet operation. Infrastructure such as automated charging, cleaning, and vehicle turnaround will increasingly influence utilization and economics. We're seeing the same conversation emerge at JetX as autonomous fleets continue to mature.
Interesting. Loved my ZOOX experience!