An AV deployment permit is a neccesary condition for paid commercial AV operations, such as a paid robotaxi ride-hail service. (Note that ride-hail additionally requires CPUC approval).
Currently Waymo, Cruise, Nuro, and Mercedes Benz have deployment permits: https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/vehicle-industry-services/autonomous-vehicles/autonomous-vehicle-testing-permit-holders/
This question will resolve to YES if Zoox obtains an operating permit before or on December 31, 2024, according to the DMV website's "Permit Holders (Deployment)" list, using the "as of MONTH DAY, 2024" date. Previously the DMV website has taken a few days to update, so this question will close at the end of Monday, January 6, 2025. This question will resolve to NO if either (1) Zoox does not appear on the list by January 6, 2025, or (2) if Zoox does appear but the "as of" date is in 2025.