Zoox Forced to Recall 258 Self-Driving Vehicles After Safety Probe

Zoox, Amazon's self-driving unit, recalled 258 vehicles following a U.S. investigation into its automated driving system, which led to unexpected hard braking. This recall affects vehicles with software versions from before November 5. The company mitigated the issue through software updates, ensuring greater safety and transparency.

Amazon's self-driving unit Zoox has been compelled to recall 258 vehicles due to issues identified in its automated driving system, a company filing revealed on Wednesday. The recall follows a U.S. investigation that pointed to unanticipated hard braking incidents.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) began a probe in May after reports of Zoox vehicles engaging in unexpected braking, leading to two collisions that injured motorcyclists. Zoox addressed these by updating its software on the affected vehicles, particularly for scenarios involving cyclists and rapidly approaching motorcyclists.

Zoox emphasized its commitment to transparency and safety, agreeing to the recall in light of NHTSA's findings. The company continues its expansion, actively testing autonomous vehicles in new cities. The self-driving sector faces heightened scrutiny, illustrated by recalls from peers like Waymo and an ongoing investigation into Zoox's self-certification practices.

(With inputs from agencies.)