Zoox Robotaxi Recall: Amazon's Self-Driving Car Faces Issues

Zoox Pauses Driverless Testing After Las Vegas Incident

Zoox, the autonomous vehicle developer and a subsidiary of Amazon, temporarily halted its driverless testing program for over a week. This pause followed a vehicle incident in Las Vegas and prompted a voluntary software recall, as reported by the company and filings with federal regulators.

Details of the April 8th Crash

On April 8th, a collision occurred involving a Zoox vehicle without a passenger and another passenger vehicle. This led to a recall affecting approximately 270 vehicles utilizing a specific iteration of the company’s automated driving system. It’s important to note that this recall number doesn’t represent the entirety of Zoox’s fleet.

The recall was initiated due to concerns that the self-driving software might miscalculate the trajectory of other vehicles, potentially elevating the risk of collisions. No injuries were sustained, and both vehicles experienced only minor damage.

Sequence of Events

According to Zoox, the incident unfolded when a passenger car rapidly entered the lane from a commercial driveway while the Zoox robotaxi was traveling. The autonomous system incorrectly anticipated the passenger car’s continued movement.

Consequently, the Zoox vehicle reduced its speed and steered to the right. However, the passenger car came to a complete stop, yielding to the robotaxi and remaining in the shoulder lane. Despite a hard braking attempt, the Zoox vehicle made contact with the other vehicle.

Testing Resumption and Future Plans

Zoox suspended all driverless testing operations immediately following the crash on April 8th and initiated an internal review process. Testing was subsequently resumed on April 17th after a software update was deployed to all Zoox vehicles, as documented in a report submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Despite this incident and recall, Zoox remains committed to launching a commercial robotaxi service in Las Vegas later this year, as confirmed by a company spokesperson.

Current Testing Locations and Vehicle Types

Zoox is currently evaluating its self-driving technology in both retrofitted Toyota Highlanders and its purpose-built robotaxis – vehicles designed without traditional steering wheels or pedals. Testing is underway in several cities, including areas along the Las Vegas Strip and select neighborhoods in San Francisco.

Earlier this year, Zoox extended access to its service to employees, members of the media, and other approved individuals. Additional testing is also being conducted in Austin, Miami, and Seattle, utilizing Highlanders with human safety operators present.

Previous Recalls and NHTSA Investigation

This marks the second voluntary recall issued by Zoox this year. In March, a recall was implemented for 258 vehicles due to potential issues with the autonomous driving system that could trigger unexpected and forceful braking.

Furthermore, the NHTSA initiated a preliminary investigation last year following two reported incidents involving motorcyclists colliding with the rear of Toyota Highlanders equipped with Zoox technology. The initial findings indicated that the Zoox autonomous systems were engaged during both occurrences.

• Key Takeaway: Zoox is actively addressing safety concerns as it develops and tests its autonomous vehicle technology.
• Future Outlook: The company continues to pursue the launch of its commercial robotaxi service despite recent challenges.