Zoox Issues Second Robotaxi Software Recall - Collision Reported

Zoox Issues Second Voluntary Software Recall in a Month

Zoox, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Amazon, has announced its second voluntary software recall within the past month. This follows an incident on May 8th in San Francisco where a Zoox robotaxi collided with an e-scooter rider.

Details of the Recent Incident

The latest event involved a Zoox vehicle operating at a reduced speed. The company reports that the robotaxi was struck by an e-scooter after the vehicle had slowed to yield at an intersection.

This incident occurs shortly after a previous recall affecting approximately 270 vehicles. The earlier recall stemmed from a crash in Las Vegas between a Zoox robotaxi and a conventional passenger car.

Concerns Regarding Predictive Capabilities

The Las Vegas crash raised questions about the self-driving software's capacity to accurately anticipate the actions of other vehicles and pedestrians. This predictive capability appears to remain a key area of focus.

According to Zoox’s statement regarding the May 8th incident, the robotaxi was stationary when the collision occurred. The e-scooter rider sustained minor injuries and declined medical assistance.

Software Update and Vulnerable Road User Protection

Zoox has shared relevant data, including video footage, with regulatory bodies. A software update has been deployed to “improve perception tracking” and prevent vehicle movement when individuals considered vulnerable road users are in close proximity.

Preventing continued movement after a collision is crucial to avoid further harm to those involved. The situation highlights the risks faced by autonomous vehicle companies.

Comparison to Cruise's Challenges

The potential for harm following a collision is a significant concern. The case of Cruise, a former competitor of Zoox, serves as a cautionary example. Cruise’s operations were severely impacted after a robotaxi struck a pedestrian and subsequently dragged them for approximately 20 feet.

Previous Recall and Hard Braking Issues

In March, Zoox recalled 258 vehicles due to issues with the autonomous driving system. These issues could lead to unexpected and abrupt braking maneuvers.

This earlier recall followed reports of two incidents where motorcyclists collided with the rear of Zoox test vehicles.

Seeking Further Information

TechCrunch has contacted Zoox to determine if the risk of post-collision movement was a primary consideration in the latest recall. They also inquired about other contributing factors, such as unexpected hard braking.

TechCrunch also reached out to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for additional details regarding the recall.

Zoox did not provide a response to TechCrunch in time to clarify the number of vehicles affected by the latest update or how it differs from the previous software release.