On a call with reporters, Zoox executives declined to say when the company will launch a commercial robotaxi service or open up testing beyond the limited route and employee participants. It will continue to test the vehicle with employees and expects to launch a shuttle service for staffers this spring.
GM’s driverless unit, Cruise, has also developed an autonomous shuttle called Origin which does not have manual controls. Cruise and Alphabet’s Waymo last year received approval to roll out their driverless taxi services in California and charge passengers for the rides.
Unlike Cruise, Zoox says its driverless vehicles — which do not have a steering wheel or other manual controls — meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, and so the company is not seeking any waiver to put them into use on public roads.
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