Robotaxis Without Steering Wheels Approved by Federal Regulators

NHTSA Proposes New Framework for Autonomous Vehicle Deployment

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) unveiled a proposed national framework on Friday. This framework aims to streamline the deployment of fully autonomous vehicles, those operating without conventional driver controls like steering wheels and pedals.

Increased Safety Data Requirements

Alongside the deployment framework, NHTSA is mandating that autonomous vehicle (AV) companies significantly increase the amount of safety data shared with the agency.

The AV STEP Program

The AV industry has been eagerly awaiting this proposal since last year. It follows NHTSA’s initial introduction of the ADS-Equipped Vehicle Safety, Transparency and Evaluation Program – commonly known as AV STEP.

A primary objective of AV STEP is to enable NHTSA to authorize the sale and commercialization of autonomous vehicles that deviate from existing federal safety standards due to the absence of manual controls.

Current Regulations and Exemptions

Currently, autonomous vehicles equipped with traditional manual controls are permitted to operate on public roads without specific NHTSA oversight. However, AVs lacking human override capabilities require an exemption from the agency.

An exception to this rule is Zoox, the Amazon-owned company. They assert that they do not require an exemption, having “self-certified” the safety of their vehicles – a claim currently under investigation by NHTSA.

Industry Interest in Removing Manual Controls

Zoox isn’t alone in pursuing designs without steering wheels or pedals. Cruise, prior to its operational pause, intended to deploy its purpose-built Origin robotaxi at scale.

Einride, a company specializing in electric and autonomous trucking, plans to commercialize an AV freight pod devoid of even a driver's cab. Tesla also revealed a prototype two-door robotaxi in October, with production anticipated between 2025 and 2026, according to CEO Elon Musk.

Voluntary Participation and Transparency

NHTSA’s proposed program is voluntary. Participation offers companies “an opportunity to demonstrate their commitment to transparency” through regular safety reporting.

Two-Tiered Program Structure

The AV STEP program features two tiers. One is designed for vehicles with human controls and fallback systems. The other is for vehicles built entirely without such controls.

As more vehicles of the latter type enter public roads, NHTSA anticipates that the program and data reporting will enhance its ability to “address emerging risks associated with their deployment.”

Data Submission Requirements

To qualify for the program, companies must submit data pertaining to the safety of their AVs’ “design, development, and operations.”

Approved participants will be required to submit both scheduled and event-triggered reports, including crash reports, to NHTSA. The agency reserves the right to publish this data to promote transparency.

Data Collection Amidst Reporting Debates

NHTSA’s push for increased data collection occurs as President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team has indicated a potential reversal of a Biden-era requirement for car-crash reporting – a requirement opposed by Musk and Tesla.

Tesla, holding the largest market share of vehicles with automated driving features in the U.S., accounts for the majority of reported crashes. The automaker has been the subject of multiple NHTSA investigations, some stemming from the approximately 1,500 crashes it has reported to regulators.

Future of Crash Reporting and AV Standards

The future of crash reporting for AVs remains uncertain under a potential Trump administration. However, NHTSA maintains its intention to collect this data to stay abreast of the rapidly evolving industry and eventually establish minimum performance standards for AVs.

Concerns About Premature Deployment

Some industry advocates express concerns that the proposed framework is premature. Cathy Chase, president of Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety, noted the timing of the proposal following NHTSA’s release of studies highlighting the life-saving impact of federal safety standards from 1968 to 2019.

“Expanding the deployment of ADS – and without the safety protections provided by FMVSSs – at this time seems premature and lacks independent research and data to support the action,” Chase stated.