Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox is set to have its 100-robotaxi limit in Nevada removed later this month, following the expiration of a regulatory cap on September 25. This change comes just as Zoox faces increased competition in Las Vegas, where rivals like Waymo, Tesla, and Uber have recently obtained permits to operate driverless ride-hailing services. The updated permit was confirmed by both a Nevada Transportation Authority (NTA) official and a Zoox spokesperson.

Currently, Zoox operates about 100 cube-shaped, custom-designed robotaxis without steering wheels or pedals, spread across cities including Las Vegas, San Francisco, Austin, and Miami. However, Las Vegas remains the only location where Zoox charges passengers for rides, having started its paid service last month after securing a temporary federal exemption from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s motor vehicle safety standards. This exemption allows deployment of up to 2,500 vehicles per year over two years, enabling Zoox's robotaxis to operate without traditional vehicle controls.

Despite the removal of the vehicle cap, Zoox has not disclosed specific plans on how rapidly it will expand its fleet in Nevada. Estimates suggest there are currently over 30 Zoox robotaxis cruising in Las Vegas, and the company intends to gradually scale up their presence to meet growing demand. This growth will come amid a broader push by other companies in the region, with the NTA recently granting permits that could add up to 7,000 commercial autonomous vehicles from Tesla, Uber, and Waymo in the next year.

This development marks a significant moment in the autonomous ride-hailing industry, especially as Zoox navigates an increasingly competitive market in Las Vegas. While Zoox awaits California permits to charge fares elsewhere, its ability to broaden operations in Nevada solidifies its foothold. Meanwhile, rivals like Waymo have quickly launched commercial robotaxi services in Las Vegas, underscoring the intensifying race to dominate the emerging autonomous transportation sector.