Zoox Recalls Software in 258 Self-Driving Cars Due to Sudden Braking Issues

Zoox, Amazon’s autonomous driving subsidiary, has voluntarily recalled 258 vehicles due to a flaw in its self-driving system that could trigger sudden hard braking.

NHTSA Investigation Sparks Recall

The recall comes after the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched a preliminary investigation last May following two incidents where motorcyclists crashed into the rear of Zoox-equipped Toyota Highlanders. In both cases, the vehicles were operating in autonomous mode.

Zoox is recalling only those vehicles running software versions released before November 5, 2024. According to an NHTSA report, the company resolved the issue with a software update by November 7, 2024.

Robotaxis Included in Recall Due to Software Similarities

Although the incidents did not involve Zoox’s custom-built robotaxi—designed without a steering wheel or pedals—the company is including these vehicles in the recall since some used similar software.

Zoox is currently conducting limited tests of its custom robotaxis in San Francisco and Las Vegas. In June, the company announced plans to expand testing to Austin and Miami.

The recall follows increased regulatory scrutiny in recent years, particularly after a 2023 safety incident involving Cruise, which has since been shut down and integrated into its parent company, General Motors.

In a similar move last year, Waymo voluntarily recalled 672 Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis after multiple safety incidents, including one that crashed into a telephone pole.

Read the original article: TechCrunch

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