A regulatory ceiling on Zoox’s robotaxis in Nevada is about to be lifted, paving the way for the Amazon-owned company to expand its fleet in Las Vegas. The Nevada Transportation Authority’s 100-vehicle cap, set to expire on September 25, is expected to give Zoox more leeway as competition intensifies. Waymo has already launched a commercial service, and Tesla and Uber are also vying for a slice of the autonomous pie.

Currently, Zoox operates around 100 custom-built robotaxis in Las Vegas and other U.S. cities, all without traditional controls. The company began charging for rides in the city last month, after receiving a temporary exemption from federal safety standards. With plans to increase its fleet steadily, Zoox aims to meet demand, though it has not disclosed exact numbers.

Despite the looming expansion, the influx of robotaxis is unlikely to overwhelm Las Vegas immediately. The NTA has approved permits for Tesla, Uber, and Waymo to operate in Clark County, potentially bringing up to 7,000 robotaxis to the area within the next year. Waymo, acting swiftly, has already started its service with dozens of new vehicles in a specific area of the city.

As this autonomous transportation race unfolds, it remains to be seen how consumers will respond. Will they embrace the future, or will traditional taxis and rideshares hold their ground? Only time will tell.