Zoox Recalls Robotaxi Software After Vehicle Drives Into Smoke from Emergency Scene

Amazon-owned self-driving car company Zoox has issued a software recall after one of its unoccupied robotaxis drove into heavy smoke from an active fire scene last month. The incident occurred when the vehicle, operating without a driver, became confused by the thick smoke and entered the emergency area. The U.S. automotive safety regulator has previously warned autonomous vehicle companies about their vehicles interfering with first responders. Zoox stated that the recall addresses the software issue that caused the confusion. The company is working to update the software to prevent similar incidents in the future. The recall highlights ongoing challenges in autonomous vehicle navigation in unusual conditions. Zoox did not report any injuries or damage from the incident. The company continues to test its self-driving technology in limited areas.