Zoox Robotaxis Recalled Over Centerline and Crosswalk Safety Glitches

Zoox has issued a voluntary software recall. The Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company made the move this week. It affects 332 of its driverless robotaxis.The recall addresses a specific driving behavior. The vehicles could cross the center lane line near intersections. They could also stop in crosswalks.

No Crashes Reported, But Risk Acknowledged

According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, no collisions occurred. The issue still presented a potential crash risk. Zoox provides public rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas.The problem was first spotted on August 26. A vehicle made a wide right turn. It crossed into the oncoming lane and stopped there briefly.Zoox then reviewed its data. It found 62 similar instances through early December. The company began talks with NHTSA about the incidents.

Software Updates Deployed to Fix Root Cause

Zoox stated the maneuvers were common for human drivers. They did not meet the company’s stricter safety standards. A spokesperson explained the situation to TechCrunch.The company has already deployed fixes. Software updates rolled out in November and mid-December. They target the root causes of the lane-crossing behavior.This marks several recalls for Zoox this year. Previous ones addressed hard braking and predicting other road users. The company emphasizes transparency in its safety process.

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The Zoox software recall highlights the ongoing refinement of autonomous technology. It shows how companies proactively address flaws before they cause harm. Public safety remains the core metric for this emerging industry.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: What exactly did the Zoox robotaxis do wrong?

The vehicles sometimes crossed over the center line during turns. They also occasionally stopped in crosswalks to avoid blocking intersections. These actions did not cause any crashes.

Q2: How many vehicles are affected by this recall?

The recall affects 332 Zoox vehicles. These are the driverless robotaxis used for public rides. The software was active from March to December of this year.

Q3: Has the problem been fixed already?

Yes. Zoox deployed software updates in November and again in mid-December. These updates specifically address the root causes of the lane-crossing issue. The recall is a formal notification of those changes.

Q4: Where does Zoox operate its driverless vehicles?

Zoox offers free public rides in select areas. Its service zones are located in parts of San Francisco and Las Vegas. The vehicles operate without a safety driver behind the wheel.

Q5: Is this the first recall for Zoox?

No. The company issued a recall for unexpected hard braking in March. It filed two more in May related to predicting other road users’ movements. This is part of its ongoing software improvement cycle.

Trusted Sources: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) documents, TechCrunch reporting.