Amazon-owned Zoox just announced a major move that could reshape how you get around Las Vegas: the company’s robotaxis are heading to the Uber app later this year. But before you can actually summon one of these futuristic vehicles, there’s a pretty big bureaucratic hurdle to clear.

Zoox’s robotaxis are genuinely wild, they don’t have steering wheels, pedals, or any of the traditional driving controls you’re used to. That’s exactly why the company needs special permission from the federal government to put them on public roads commercially. Right now, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is accepting public comments on Zoox’s application for exemptions from Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. The comment period lasts 30 days, but nobody knows exactly when the feds will make a final decision.

Once Zoox gets the green light, the plan is to launch its own standalone robotaxi service first before integrating with Uber. The company has been offering free rides in Las Vegas and San Francisco for a while now, and it’s actively mapping out eight additional U.S. cities, including Dallas and Phoenix. Los Angeles is also in the mix, with a planned 2027 launch through this multi-year partnership with Uber.

This represents Zoox’s first major third-party partnership with a ride-hailing platform, but it’s definitely not Uber’s first rodeo with autonomous vehicles. The company has partnerships with over 25 different self-driving companies worldwide. Waymo, which operates robotaxis in Austin and Atlanta, is probably their most recognizable partner. Uber has also teamed up with China’s Baidu for testing in London and has deals with Volkswagen, May Mobility, and Pony AI on various projects.

Uber’s clearly betting big on autonomous vehicles. The company launched an “AV Labs” division earlier this year specifically designed to collect real-world driving data that helps their partners improve their autonomous systems. They’ve also created Uber Autonomous Solutions, a division that provides operational, software, and support services to AV companies.

As for what Zoox is asking the NHTSA for, the company is seeking exemptions from eight different safety standards, including requirements for windshield defrosting systems and wipers. It’s a reasonable ask given that self-driving cars operate differently than human-driven ones, but it still requires federal approval.

At a recent autonomous vehicle safety hearing, NHTSA chief Jonathan Morrison signaled that the agency is ready to move faster on self-driving regulation. He emphasized that they’re moving beyond the hype to create actual, robust oversight while trying not to block innovation. Translation: the feds want to get autonomous vehicles on the road safely, but they’re not going to slow-walk the process.