The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) recently authorized self-driving car startup Zoox to become the state’s first company to provide autonomous-vehicle (AV) passenger service to the public.
Zoox will operate under the CPUC’s Drivered AV Passenger Service pilot program that launched in April. Companies participating in the program will test AVs by providing passenger service. A driver will be in the vehicle and will take over if needed. Passengers will not be charged for any rides.
Companies must submit reports and data to the CPUC on passenger miles traveled, zero-emission vehicles, execution of passenger safety protocols, incidents, and other elements of passenger safety and consumer protection.
“This is a really, really significant milestone as we head toward commercial launch, which we have stated is toward the end of 2020,” Bert Kaufman, Zoox head of corporate and regulatory affairs, said.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) has issued Zoox an Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program Manufacturer’s Testing Permit. This is a separate permit from the one issued by CPUC.
More than 60 companies have been issued permits to test autonomous vehicles, according to the state’s DMV.
A second CPUC pilot program, Driverless AV Passenger Service will allow for the operation of AVs without a driver.