The NHTSA is giving a temporary permit to some autonomous cars that don't meet current safety standards as it develops a new framework for self-driving vehicles.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration approved paid customer rides for Zoox robotaxis, the first such approval for a purpose-built autonomous device without a steering wheel or foot pedals.
According to an article by Dan Zukowski in Smart Cities Dive, "NHTSA’s exemption came as part of a series of actions aimed at accelerating AV innovation, it said. The agency will streamline the application process for automakers to temporarily sell a limited number of vehicles that do not meet current motor vehicle safety standards, work with a consortium to develop national AV safety standards and give the NHTSA administrator authority to issue temporary exemptions to certain previously manufactured vehicles."
Zoox will begin offering paid rides in Las Vegas in August. "In addition to its two current locations, Zoox named Miami and Austin, Texas, as the next two cities to offer public rides after months of testing." Waymo and Tesla plan to launch their own purpose-built robotaxi services.
Read the full story: Zoox purpose-built robotaxis get first-ever nod from NHTSA for paid rides
Tesla 'completely' redacts robotaxi crash reports
Reports submitted to the NHTSA also reveal differences in the types of crashes Tesla cars are involved in as opposed to its competitors.
Tesla's steering wheel-less Cybercabs spotted on Austin streets
The company is testing 34 of its robotaxis in downtown Austin, but they have not been approved for public use.
Feds want to make brake pedals optional in AVs
A proposed rule change would no longer require carmakers to include manual brake pedals or steering wheels in fully self-driving cars.
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California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Chicago breaks ground on $3 billion megadevelopment
The new neighborhood, titled Foundry Park, will one day host 3,700 residences.
California High-Speed Rail Authority CEO resigns after $600,000 scandal
Under Ian Choudri, the authority used taxpayer dollars to fund first class flights and trips to nightclubs.
Want to study the Missouri River? Soon, you may need unanimous approval from 10 states
Legislation would require 10 governors’ permission to study or build projects moving water outside the basin.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
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