Zoox recalls entire robotaxi fleet after autonomous vehicle enters smoke-filled emergency scene

Amazon's autonomous vehicle subsidiary Zoox has issued a voluntary software recall following an incident in which one of its driverless robotaxis drove into heavy smoke at an active fire scene in Las Vegas. The recall affects the entire fleet of buggy-like vehicles, which operate without steering wheels or pedals, according to CNBC and KRON4.

KRON4Zoox recalls fleet after robotaxi enters smoky emergency scene

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The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report included that phrase, underscoring the software's failure to handle emergency conditions. The incident occurred on June 20, when an unoccupied Zoox vehicle approached a fire scene obscured by heavy smoke, as reported by Transport Topics.

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The vehicle's navigation system struggled to interpret the smoke, leading to the recall. TheNextWeb noted that the recall covers 105 robotaxis and comes shortly after NHTSA's administrator issued a directive demanding autonomous vehicle companies fix issues related to first responder encounters.

Zoox, which Amazon acquired for $1.3 billion in 2020, currently offers free rides in parts of Las Vegas and San Francisco, with limited access in Miami and Austin, according to CNBC. This recall highlights the ongoing challenges driverless technology faces in unpredictable real-world scenarios, particularly those involving emergency services.