Zoox has recalled the software for 105 robotaxis following an incident on 20 June, when a vehicle with no passengers drove into an area where a fire was raging, which was shrouded in thick smoke. The vehicle braked sharply whilst attempting to turn and came to a halt. The company has already remotely updated the entire fleet covered by the recall and has informed the regulator that it is not aware of any injuries resulting from this issue.
Briefly about the main points
- Zoox has announced a software recall for 105 robotaxis.
- The incident took place on 20 June near an active fire.
- Thick smoke prevented the car from driving round the scene properly.
- After being controlled remotely, the car reversed.
- The NHTSA has stepped up its focus on the interaction between robotaxis and emergency services.
How the incident happened
According to the description in the recall documents, robot taxi The Zoox, with no passengers on board, drove into the area where the fire was raging. Thick smoke obscured the scene, preventing the car from navigating around it properly.
As it attempted to turn, the vehicle braked sharply and came to a halt. After being remotely controlled, it reversed. Only then did the emergency services set up traffic cones, blocking two of the three lanes.
Therefore, at the time the robotaxi arrived, the scene of the fire had not yet been cordoned off with traffic cones. The description of the incident does not point to a proven complete failure of the sensors, but rather to a problem with the system’s response in conditions where smoke was obscuring the active scene.
The entire fleet has been upgraded
The campaign is programme-based: Zoox It owns and manages its own vehicles, so this does not involve recalling vehicles from private owners. The company has rolled out a remote software update for all 105 robotaxis in its fleet.
This approach to rectifying the issue may limit the immediate impact of the recall on the service’s operation. However, how the updated system will perform in real-world conditions involving thick smoke and rescue operations has yet to be tested in practice.
The regulator drew attention to the emergency scenes
Nine days before Zoox’s announcement, on 8 July, the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) addressed the developers of autonomous vehicles. The regulator stated that it had identified a clear pattern of incidents in which robotaxis were hindering the work of the police and emergency services.
The NHTSA specifically mentioned responses to flashing lights, flares, smoke, fire and traffic cones, and planned to hold meetings with companies by the end of July. The regulator emphasised that a vehicle which cannot interact safely with the emergency services poses a danger to the public.
