Zoox Issues Second Voluntary Software Recall Amid Safety Concerns
San Francisco, CA — Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary owned by Amazon, has announced its second voluntary software recall within just a month. This decision follows an incident that occurred on May 8, involving one of its robotaxis colliding with an e-scooter rider in San Francisco.
Details of the Recent Incident
The latest event involved a stationary Zoox vehicle operating at low speeds. According to the company, the vehicle had come to a halt to yield at an intersection when it was struck by the e-scooter. Reports indicate that the e-scooter rider fell adjacent to the vehicle but declined medical assistance for minor injuries.
In a statement regarding the May 8 incident, Zoox explained, “The Zoox vehicle was stopped at the time of contact. The robotaxi began to move again after completing a turn but did not make further contact with the e-scooterist.”
Previous Recall Highlights Software Concerns
Just weeks prior to this incident, Zoox had recalled approximately 270 vehicles after a crash involving one of its robotaxis and a passenger car in Las Vegas. This earlier incident raised concerns regarding the autonomous driving software’s capability to accurately predict the movements of other road users.
The company has since indicated that it has shared pertinent information and video footage with regulatory authorities. Additionally, a recent software update has been deployed to enhance perception tracking and mitigate vehicle movement when vulnerable road users are nearby.
Addressing Safety Risks
The risk posed by robotaxis continuing to operate after a collision is a pressing concern for Zoox. Similar situations have resulted in serious consequences for competitors, such as Cruise, which experienced a significant setback when one of its vehicles struck a pedestrian who was subsequently dragged.
Zoox has not elaborated on whether this incident was a major factor in their decision to implement the latest software recall, nor if other issues, such as unexpected hard braking, influenced their choice.
In March, Zoox recalled 258 vehicles due to problems with its autonomous driving system that could lead to sudden and unexpected braking. This arose after two incidents where motorcyclists collided with the rear of Zoox test vehicles.
Awaiting Further Clarification
TechCrunch has attempted to confirm additional details regarding the most recent software recall, including the total number of affected vehicles and how this update differs from earlier ones. The company has yet to provide a response.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has also been contacted for more information regarding these recent recalls.
Conclusion
As Zoox navigates these challenges, their commitment to safety and innovation remains crucial in the evolving landscape of autonomous transportation. The implications of these incidents will likely prompt further scrutiny from both regulators and the public as the company seeks to enhance the reliability of its technology.
