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The autonomous vehicle company, owned by Amazon, issued its second voluntary software recall in a month. This company identifies as Zoox. Zoox Robotaxi Recall follows a collision between one of its robotaxis and an e-scooter rider in San Francisco sometime in May 2025.
The most recent incident involved an unoccupied Zoox vehicle operating at low speed. According to the company, the e-scooter struck this development after braking to observe an intersection.
Meanwhile, weeks earlier, the company recalled about 270 vehicles after the crash between a Zoox robotaxi and a passenger car in Las Vegas. Furthermore, the Zoox Robotaxi Recall raised serious concerns about the brand’s image. This event involved the self-driving software’s ability to predict the movement of other road users.
Zoox Robotaxi Recall: A Concerning Matter
On May 8, the company contended that their vehicle automatically stopped at the time of contact. This was one of its earliest issues that led to the Zoox Robotaxi Recall. It added that the e-scooterist fell to the ground directly beside the car. The company said, “The robotaxi then began to move and stopped after completing the turn, but did not make further contact with the e-scooterist.
When Zoox attempted to address medical responsibility, the e-scooterist declined medical attention for minor injuries. This was even before the Zoox Robotaxi recall. Zoox declared that it shared relevant information and video with regulators and has already issued a software update. Additionally, this update will improve perception tracking and prevent vehicle movement when a vulnerable road user is near the vehicle.
Beyond the Recall: The Risk of Motion After Impact
TechPolyp affirms that any robotaxi that continues to be in motion after a collision could risk harming another road user. These aren’t just users. They are people who were involved in the crash. So, while suggesting updates during or after the Zoox Robotaxi Recall, developers and readers should look at what happened to Cruise, Zoox’s erstwhile competitor. The GM-backed company saw its business crumble after one of its robotaxis struck a pedestrian. Unfortunately, that person was flung into its path by a human-driven vehicle. Moreover, the car dragged that pedestrian some 20 feet while attempting a pullover manoeuvre.
Furthermore, the attempt to confirm if this update was a top-of-mind concern for Zoox hasn’t been successful. This became bothersome when it issued its software recall, or whether there were other factors at play, like unexpected hard braking.
It is worth noting that in March, the Zoox Robotaxi Recall affected 258 vehicles due to issues with its autonomous driving system that could cause unexpected hard braking. This recall was inspired by two reports of motorcyclists colliding with the backs of Zoox test vehicles.
Above all, the influence of the Zoox Robotaxi Recall on Amazon is still unknown. However, the company seems to focus on offering AI shopping tools and other new-age developments to leverage for its growth.
