News Summary

Amazon’s Zoox is recalling 270 robotaxis to update their software after a recent crash in Las Vegas that raised safety concerns. The incident involved a Zoox robotaxi making inaccurate predictions about other vehicles, but fortunately resulted in no injuries. In response, Zoox has halted operations for a thorough safety review and has rolled out software updates to prevent such incidents in the future. The company continues to test its robotaxi services in Las Vegas as it aims to launch autonomous ride-hailing services later this year.

Las Vegas

Amazon’s Zoox is recalling 270 robotaxis to update their software following a crash that occurred on April 8 in Las Vegas. The recall is voluntary and was announced on Tuesday, with the move prompted by an incident involving an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi and a passenger vehicle.

Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the crash, which resulted in only minor damage to both vehicles involved. The incident occurred when a passenger car approached the lane where the Zoox robotaxi was traveling. The robotaxi, anticipating that the car would proceed, reacted by slowing down and steering to the right. However, the passenger vehicle stopped and yielded to the Zoox, leading to unavoidable contact.

The incident was reported to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which noted a defect in the driving system of the robotaxi. An investigation revealed that the crash was caused by the robotaxi’s software making inaccurate predictions about the behavior of other vehicles on the road.

In response to the crash, Zoox promptly halted all autonomous vehicle operations to conduct a thorough safety review. After rigorous testing and analysis, the company developed a software update intended to resolve the identified issues with the system. This update was rolled out between April 16 and 17, specifically addressing potential risks when operating at speeds above 40 mph near other vehicles.

Zoox indicates that all vehicles, including those in their test fleet, have now been updated with the new software enhancements. The company has been actively testing these robotaxis in Las Vegas and has also been conducting trials in California.

Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for over $1 billion, with the aim of launching autonomous ride-hailing services. The company is looking to introduce robotaxi rides to the public in Las Vegas and San Francisco later this year, provided they can ensure the safety and reliability of their technology.

This incident marks a significant point for Zoox as it works to establish its presence in the autonomous vehicle market. A previous investigation by the NHTSA concerning Toyota Highlander vehicles equipped with Zoox’s technology was closed without any significant findings, indicating that while safety concerns have been raised, the overall history of Zoox remained relatively unblemished prior to this incident.

As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to evolve, the recall emphasizes the importance of continual safety assessments, especially as cities and consumers prepare for greater reliance on self-driving technologies. Zoox aims to reassure the public of their commitment to safety as they advance towards launching their robotaxi services.

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Additional Resources

• Reuters
• Wikipedia: Autonomous vehicle
• CNBC
• Google Search: Amazon Zoox
• The Verge
• Google Scholar: Zoox robotaxi
• Fox Business
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Robotaxi
• Engadget
• Google News: Zoox