Zoox to Offer Commercial Robotaxi Service on Uber in Las Vegas Pending Federal Approval

Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox announced plans to integrate its driverless robotaxis with the Uber app in Las Vegas later this year. Currently, Zoox’s vehicles operate without steering wheels or pedals, requiring exemptions from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) to launch commercially. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened a 30-day public comment period on Zoox’s exemption request. Until full approval, Zoox continues offering free demonstration rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco while mapping and expanding operations in eight additional U.S. cities, including Dallas and Phoenix. The partnership with Uber is described as multi-year and will also extend to Los Angeles in 2027. This marks Zoox’s first collaboration with a third-party ride-hailing platform, though Uber already works with over 25 autonomous vehicle companies worldwide, including Waymo, Baidu, Volkswagen, May Mobility, and Pony AI. Uber has also established divisions to support AV partners, such as AV Labs and Uber Autonomous Solutions, focusing on data collection, operational support, and software development. NHTSA Chief Jonathan Morrison emphasized the importance of establishing clear and effective regulations for self-driving vehicles to ensure safety while promoting innovation.