Zoox, Amazon's self-driving car unit, recalled its entire fleet of 105 autonomous vehicles. A software flaw prevents these vehicles from detecting heavy smoke. This could lead robotaxis to interfere with emergency personnel and first responders at crisis sites.
An incident on June 20 in Las Vegas revealed the issue. An unoccupied Zoox vehicle drove into a smoke-obscured fire scene. The vehicle then braked suddenly and stopped. This recall follows broader scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The NHTSA has warned autonomous vehicle companies about a "clear pattern" of their cars obstructing emergency responders.
Zoox is deploying a remote, over-the-air software update. This update will enhance the vehicles' ability to detect and properly respond to heavy smoke conditions. The company reported the event was isolated. It resulted in no injuries.