The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an investigation into Amazon.com’s self-driving Zoox vehicles following two rear-end collisions involving motorcyclists due to unexpected braking. The incidents resulted in minor injuries.
NHTSA’s preliminary evaluation focuses on crashes involving vehicles equipped with the Zoox Automated Driving System. The agency has started a probe into 500 Zoox robotaxis. Each incident involved a Toyota Highlander equipped with the Zoox automated driving system.
NHTSA confirmed that each of the Zoox vehicles was operating with the automated driving system engaged in the moments leading up to each collision.
The investigation will assess the performance of the Zoox Automated Driving System, particularly regarding the collisions, as well as its behavior in crosswalks around vulnerable road users and in similar rear-end collision scenarios.
Zoox Spokesperson stating, “Our team is currently reviewing the request for information as part of NHTSA’s Preliminary Evaluation (PE). We do not have additional details to share at this time. Transparency and collaboration with regulators is of the utmost importance, and we remain committed to working closely with NHTSA to answer their questions. ”
In March, Zoox announced its expansion of vehicle testing in California and Nevada to include a wider area, higher speeds, and nighttime driving, as it competes with Alphabet’s Waymo robotaxis. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.3 billion.
This investigation comes after NHTSA opened a probe in March 2023 into Zoox’s self-certification of a robotaxi without traditional driving controls in 2022. The agency is assessing whether Zoox’s certification basis relied on unilaterally developed test procedures or determinations that certain standards were inapplicable due to the unique configuration of the vehicle.
