Wednesday, December 4, 2024, Zoox self-driving robotaxi in San Francisco, California, USA.
David Paul Morris | Bloomberg | Getty Images
AmazonZoox, a subsidiary of the automaker, recalled the software in 105 of its robotaxis over concerns that the vehicles could not detect heavy smoke and crashed into them.
Zoox notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration of the recall on July 8, saying it became aware of the smoke detection issue following an incident last month.
On June 20, an unmanned Zoox robot taxi encountered heavy smoke that obscured an active emergency fire scene that had not been sealed off with cones, the company wrote in a report. Zukes said the vehicle entered the scene, slammed on its brakes and swerved before coming to a stop.
The company said the incident occurred in Las Vegas.
A Zoox Teleguidance employee instructed the vehicle to back up, and first responders then set up traffic cones to cordon off the scene, the report said.
Zoox said it investigated the incident and determined it was the “only incident of its kind.” No injuries were confirmed.
Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.3 billion. The company operates driverless buggies with no steering wheel or pedals and four carriage-style seats facing inward, creating a shuttle-like feel.
Zoox currently offers free rides in parts of Las Vegas and San Francisco, and allows some users to hail robotaxis in small zones in Miami and Austin, Texas. Testing is also underway in six other U.S. cities.
The voluntary recall comes after NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison last week directed self-driving vehicle developers to ensure their vehicles do not interfere with first responders.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in the letter that he had “identified a clear pattern of unmanned AVs interfering with law enforcement and other emergency responders”, citing instances where AVs have driven into emergency scenes, obstructed the path of ambulances and firefighters, and failed to recognize or respond to flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire and corn cones.
He called on AV developers and operators to “immediately focus their resources on solving this problem” and submit solutions to authorities by the end of the month. The letter does not name any specific AV companies.
Zoox announced several software recalls last year to address issues with lane crossing and the ability to predict the movement of other vehicles and pedestrians.
The company is racing to catch up alphabetWaymo is the leading robotaxi service in the United States, with a fleet of approximately 4,000 self-driving vehicles in the country.
Waymo last month recalled about 3,900 robotaxis because some vehicles entered closed highway construction zones, increasing the “risk of accidents.”
WATCH: NHTSA’s Morrison: AV developers need to address first responder issues
