Zoox Issues Second Software Recall Amid Robotaxi Incidents

Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox has issued its second voluntary software recall in a month following a collision involving one of its robotaxis in San Francisco. The incident occurred on May 8 when an unoccupied Zoox vehicle was struck by an e-scooter rider at an intersection. The rider fell to the ground, and the vehicle briefly moved before stopping without further contact. The rider declined medical attention for minor injuries. This incident follows a crash in Las Vegas earlier in the month, where a Zoox robotaxi collided with a passenger car, raising concerns about the software's ability to predict the movements of other road users. Zoox has already recalled about 270 vehicles and issued a software update to improve perception tracking and prevent vehicle movement near vulnerable road users. The company shared relevant information and video footage with regulators. However, the risks of robotaxis continuing to move after collisions remain a concern, as seen in incidents involving competitors like Cruise, where a vehicle dragged a pedestrian after a collision. TechCrunch has reached out to Zoox and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration for further details on the recall, including the number of affected vehicles and the nature of the software update. Zoox has not yet responded to these inquiries.

Published: 5/26/2025