Zoox Self-Driving Vehicle Design: Preventing Crashes | Amazon

The Focus on Safety in Autonomous Vehicle Development

Much of the discussion surrounding the autonomous vehicle (AV) sector centers on financial investments, potential public offerings, and mergers. However, the industry’s long-term success is fundamentally dependent on demonstrating that this technology can operate with a higher degree of safety than human drivers, and subsequently, earning public confidence. Essentially, ensuring safety is paramount.

Zoox’s Detailed Safety Report

On Tuesday, Zoox released a comprehensive safety report designed to provide deeper insights into its uniquely designed electric autonomous vehicle. The report elaborates on various engineering features specifically implemented to prevent accidents and offer protection in the event of a collision.

Addressing the Core Question of Safety

Mark Rosekind, Zoox’s chief safety innovation officer and a former administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, emphasized the need to move beyond simply stating safety as a goal. He stated in a recent interview with TechCrunch, “Everyone acknowledges that a key reason for developing AVs is safety, safety, safety, but they rarely address the crucial next step: what concrete actions will be taken to avert crashes and preserve lives?”

Rosekind asserts that this new report directly responds to these critical questions.

Zoox’s Integrated Approach

Zoox distinguishes itself from many competitors through its fully integrated development process. The company isn’t solely focused on the self-driving software; it also creates the on-demand ride-sharing application and designs and manufactures the vehicle itself. Furthermore, Zoox intends to own, manage, and operate its entire fleet of robotaxis.

Vehicle Specifications and Design

In December, Zoox unveiled its purpose-built electric autonomous robotaxi – a distinctly cube-shaped vehicle equipped with an extensive array of sensors. Notably, it lacks a traditional steering wheel and features a moonroof, capable of transporting four passengers at speeds reaching 75 miles per hour. Initial specifications highlighted the vehicle’s symmetrical, face-to-face seating arrangement, reminiscent of train travel, and its 133 kilowatt-hour battery, providing up to 16 hours of continuous operation on a single charge. However, detailed information regarding occupant and external road user protection was previously unavailable.

Industry Trend: Voluntary Safety Assessments

It’s important to note that Zoox isn’t alone in publishing safety reports. Voluntary Safety Self-Assessment (VSSA) reports are becoming increasingly common within the AV industry. These reports, documented in NHTSA’s Automated Driving Systems VSSA Disclosure Index, are intended to cover twelve key areas, encompassing vehicle design, crash simulation scenarios, testing benchmarks, and protective measures for all road users.

Building on Previous Reports

Zoox initially published a safety report in 2018, outlining its “prevent and protect” safety philosophy. This latest report details how Zoox intends to achieve its safety objectives, including specific design elements of the vehicle. Additional safety reports are planned, with forthcoming details on the collision avoidance system and the vehicle’s external lighting system for communicating with other drivers and pedestrians.

Over 100 Safety Innovations

Zoox has incorporated over 100 safety innovations into its purpose-built vehicle. Rosekind highlighted nine of these innovations, categorized into three key areas: driving control systems, the elimination of single points of failure, and rider protection features.

Vehicle Control Systems

Image Credits: Zoox

Zoox’s autonomous vehicle incorporates independent braking functionality alongside an active suspension system. This design ensures each brake is governed by a dedicated electronic control unit.

Consequently, the vehicle achieves enhanced traction management and optimized weight distribution, ultimately contributing to reduced stopping distances.

Furthermore, the vehicle is equipped with four-wheel steering, a feature currently unavailable in any other autonomous vehicle presently operating on public roads, as highlighted by Rosekind.

This four-wheel steering system facilitates simultaneous adjustments to both the vehicle’s heading and its lateral positioning within the lane.

“Following path determination by our software, the vehicle maintains that course with centimeter-level precision, even at higher speeds and during maneuvers like navigating a curb,” Rosekind clarified.

The integration of four-wheel steering with the vehicle’s symmetrical design enables bidirectional travel.

This bidirectional capability eliminates the need for conventional U-turns and three-point turns.

These traditional maneuvers are often more intricate, require more time, and can potentially expose passengers to increased risk from approaching traffic.