Amazon’s robotaxi company Zoox is issuing another software recall after a San Francisco crash raised new fears about the safety of its autonomous vehicles around cyclists and pedestrians.
At a Glance
- Zoox recalled 270 robotaxis after a collision with an e-scooter in San Francisco
- The robotaxi was stopped when struck, then moved briefly before halting again
- This is Zoox’s second recall in one month for perception tracking issues
- The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) issued a caution to road users
- Zoox, owned by Amazon, is still in the testing phase of autonomous operations
Collision Prompts New Recall
In a troubling repeat scenario, Amazon-backed Zoox is once again under scrutiny after an autonomous vehicle collided with an electric scooter in downtown San Francisco. Although the Zoox robotaxi was reportedly stationary at the time of initial contact, it began moving moments later—potentially endangering the fallen scooter rider, who sustained minor injuries but declined medical attention.
The incident has prompted Zoox to file a voluntary recall notice with the NHTSA covering 270 vehicles. The company said the new software update will “improve perception tracking and further prevent vehicle movement when a vulnerable road user may be very near the vehicle,” aiming to address a key risk factor: secondary movement after a collision.
Watch a report: Zoox Recalls Robo-Taxis Again After Latest Collision Incident.
A Pattern of Perception Failures
The latest collision follows a similar incident in Las Vegas just weeks ago, where another Zoox vehicle misjudged the movement of a nearby road user, prompting a separate recall of 258 robotaxis. The recurring problem underscores the persistent challenge of enabling autonomous vehicles to accurately interpret and react to fast-moving or unpredictable elements like scooters, cyclists, and pedestrians.
The NHTSA has cautioned that “road users should remain alert in the vicinity of autonomous vehicles,” warning that such systems can miscalculate the trajectory of vulnerable road users or make abrupt, unexpected stops.
Zoox is far from alone in grappling with these challenges, but the frequency of its recalls could begin to strain regulatory and public trust.
AV Race Heats Up Amid Setbacks
Acquired by Amazon in 2020 for over $1.2 billion, Zoox is a key player in the autonomous vehicle (AV) arms race, competing with the likes of Waymo and Tesla. Yet while Waymo has successfully launched in multiple cities, Zoox remains in the test phase—a status that places every technical stumble under intense scrutiny.
Earlier this year, Zoox recalled 258 vehicles after unanticipated hard braking incidents involving motorcyclists. Each software issue adds to the complexity of an already difficult engineering frontier: building AV systems capable of safely predicting human behavior in chaotic urban environments.
The recent recalls reflect the company’s stated commitment to safety and transparency. Still, with mounting scrutiny from regulators and the public, Zoox’s ability to rebound and scale may hinge on how quickly it can close these critical perception gaps.
The Road Ahead
Despite the setbacks, Zoox remains committed to its vision of a fully autonomous ride-hailing future. But as crashes involving robotaxis become more frequent and visible, especially in dense urban environments, companies like Zoox must convince a wary public that the technology is not only innovative—but reliably safe.
