Amazon-owned autonomous vehicle company Zoox has issued a software recall for all 270 of its robotaxis after an unoccupied vehicle crashed into a passenger car in Las Vegas on April 8th. The recall, which was rolled out between April 16th and 17th, addresses a critical issue that could cause the vehicles to make inaccurate predictions, leading to potential crashes.

The incident, which resulted in minor damage to both vehicles but no injuries, occurred when a passenger car approached the lane where the Zoox robotaxi was traveling at over 40mph. According to Zoox's voluntary safety recall report filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) on May 1st, the robotaxi slowed down and steered to the right, anticipating that the passenger car would proceed forward. However, the car came to a stop, and the Zoox robotaxi braked hard, but contact was unavoidable.

The root cause of the issue was identified as an "inaccurately confident prediction" made by the vehicle's software, which could occur when a vehicle approaches the robotaxi's lane from a perpendicular driveway at speeds over 40mph. This prediction could lead the robotaxi to react incorrectly, resulting in a crash. The software update addresses this issue, ensuring that the vehicles can better handle similar situations in the future.

This is not the first time Zoox has faced issues with its autonomous vehicles. In March, the company issued a recall notice after two incidents where its Toyota Highlander-based robotaxis performed sudden hard braking, causing approaching motorcyclists to rear-end them. A software update was rolled out in November to address the problem.

The recall highlights the importance of safety in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles. As the industry continues to push forward with self-driving technology, incidents like this serve as a reminder of the need for rigorous testing and continuous improvement to ensure the safety of passengers and other road users.

Zoox's proactive approach to addressing the issue and issuing a recall demonstrates a commitment to safety and transparency. The company's willingness to share details of the incident and the steps taken to prevent similar incidents in the future is a positive step towards building trust in the autonomous vehicle industry.

As the autonomous vehicle market continues to grow, incidents like this will likely become more frequent. It is crucial for companies like Zoox to prioritize safety and transparency, and for regulators to ensure that adequate safeguards are in place to protect the public.