Zoox, Amazon's autonomous driving unit, has issued a voluntary recall of 258 vehicles equipped with its autonomous driving system due to safety concerns. The recall comes after a preliminary investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) last May, which found that the vehicles were involved in two incidents where motorcyclists collided with the back of Zoox vehicles.

The incidents, which occurred while the vehicles were operating with their autonomous systems engaged, prompted the NHTSA to launch an investigation. Zoox has since identified the root cause of the issue and has issued a software update to address the problem. The recall only affects vehicles equipped with software versions released before November 5, 2024, and Zoox has confirmed that the issue was resolved with a software update by November 7, 2024.

The recall is a significant development in the autonomous vehicle industry, which has faced increased scrutiny from regulators in recent years. In 2023, a safety incident involving Cruise, a rival autonomous vehicle company, led to heightened scrutiny from regulators. Last year, Waymo, another major player in the industry, issued a voluntary recall of 672 Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis following several reported safety incidents, including one where a vehicle collided with a telephone pole.

Zoox is currently testing a limited number of its custom robotaxis, built without a steering wheel or pedals, in San Francisco and Las Vegas. The company has plans to expand its testing to Austin and Miami, but it is unclear whether the recall will impact these plans. TechCrunch has reached out to Zoox to determine whether the recall affects only its Toyota Highlanders or also its purpose-built robotaxis, but the company has yet to respond.

The recall highlights the importance of rigorous testing and validation of autonomous vehicle systems to ensure safety on public roads. As the industry continues to evolve, regulators and manufacturers must work together to establish clear guidelines and standards for the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles.

In the meantime, the recall serves as a reminder of the complexities and challenges involved in developing autonomous vehicle technology. While Zoox has taken steps to address the issue, the incident underscores the need for continued vigilance and investment in safety research and development.