Zoox Recalls 105 Self-Driving Taxis Due to Smoke Detection Glitch After Las Vegas Incident

Zoox, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary owned by Amazon, has issued a voluntary recall involving software updates for 105 self-driving taxis, citing a technical glitch that prevents the vehicles from accurately detecting thick smoke. The decision follows an incident in Las Vegas last month, where investigations revealed that the malfunction could cause the vehicles to inadvertently enter emergency zones without recognizing potential hazards, according to media reports.

Details of the Incident That Exposed the Flaw

The company notified the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) of the recall on July 8, explaining that the issue was discovered after an incident on June 20. During that event, a self-driving taxi operated by Zoox, which was unoccupied, encountered a thick cloud of smoke that obscured its view of an emergency fire site that was not surrounded by traffic cones, according to the company's report. The vehicle entered the incident site, then braked hard while attempting to steer away, before coming to a complete stop.

Zoox stated that the incident occurred in Las Vegas, and a remote guidance system employee intervened to direct the vehicle to reverse, before emergency personnel placed traffic cones to seal off the area. The company confirmed that it investigated the matter and concluded it was the only such incident, emphasizing that no injuries were reported as a result.

Background on Zoox and Its Technology

Amazon acquired Zoox for $1.3 billion in 2020. Since then, the company has been developing self-driving taxis featuring a unique design without a steering wheel or pedals, accommodating four passengers in facing seats, similar to tourist shuttles. Zoox currently offers free rides in parts of Las Vegas and San Francisco, and allows selected users to request its self-driving vehicles in limited areas of Miami and Austin, Texas, in addition to conducting tests in six other U.S. cities.

The voluntary recall comes days after NHTSA Director Jonathan Morrison issued a directive urging autonomous vehicle developers to ensure their vehicles yield to emergency responders. In his message, Morrison noted that the agency is closely monitoring advancements in these technologies to guarantee the safety of all road users, especially amid the rapid expansion of self-driving car deployments in American cities.