Zoox CEO Aicha Evans backed stronger federal oversight of autonomous vehicles as the Amazon.com Inc.
Zoox Backs Regulation as Paid Rides Begin
"I want to unequivocally say we agree with the administrator and the administration and the regulatory agency. We need to be regulated," Evans told Fox Business on Monday, referring to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration chief Jonathan Morrison.
Zoox began paid Las Vegas rides Monday after previously offering free service. The launch follows NHTSA's decision to grant Zoox a temporary exemption allowing up to 2,500 purpose-built robotaxis annually for two years despite lacking steering wheels and pedals. Reuters said Zoox became the first company to secure such approval for paid service.
Smoke Incident Sharpens First-Responder Safety Concerns
The regulatory push intensified after a June 20 incident in which an unoccupied Zoox vehicle entered heavy smoke obscuring an active Las Vegas fire scene, braked sharply and required remote guidance to leave. Zoox subsequently recalled 105 vehicles and updated software to better detect smoke.
"These are rare edge cases," Evans said. "We learn and we continue to improve our processes along the way to make them better and better."
"Sometimes it's software, sometimes it is firmware, sometimes it is just using simulation," she added. "We throw the best at it, we root cause, we learn, we improve and we deploy."
Morrison warned AV developers last month that regulators had identified a "clear pattern" of vehicles interfering with emergency personnel. "An AV that cannot safely interact with first responders is a danger to the general public," he said. Benzinga previously highlighted NHTSA's warning.
Zoox Ramps Production and Expansion Plans
Zoox's commercial debut raises the stakes in the robotaxi race against Alphabet Inc.
Evans said roughly 65 vehicles operate in Las Vegas while production is "ramping up." "We will be entering Atlanta and LA and... we have big ambitions," she said. "We want to be everywhere where we are welcome." Zoox has completed more than 500,000 rides to date.
