Zoox Recalls Robotaxi Software Again After Low-Speed Collision with E-Scooter

Amazon-owned Zoox has initiated its second voluntary recall of robotaxi software in less than a month following a low-speed incident in San Francisco on May 8, where an unoccupied autonomous vehicle was involved in a collision with an e-scooter. The vehicle had stopped at an intersection when the e-scooter collided with it. Although the scooter rider suffered only minor injuries and declined medical attention, the robotaxi’s subsequent movement after the initial contact raised safety concerns. This follows a previous recall in April involving about 270 vehicles in Las Vegas, where a Zoox robotaxi collided with a passenger car, highlighting deficiencies in predicting other road users’ movements. Zoox has since issued a software update intended to enhance perception tracking and prevent the vehicle from moving when vulnerable road users are in close proximity. Questions remain regarding whether this update significantly differs from the last and how many vehicles are impacted. The incident echoes broader concerns in the autonomous vehicle industry, similar to those that affected Cruise, another self-driving car firm. Zoox is working with regulators and has shared footage and data to support ongoing investigations. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been contacted for further details on the recall.