Amazon’s self-driving robotaxi unit Zoox under investigation by US after 2 rear-end crashes

DETROIT (AP) — Amazon’s self-driving robotaxi unit is being investigated by the U.S. authorities’s freeway security company after two of its autos braked all of the sudden and had been rear-ended by motorcyclists.

The Nationwide Freeway Site visitors Security Administration stated in paperwork posted on its web site Monday it would consider the automated driving system developed by Zoox.

Each crashes concerned Toyota Highlander SUVs with autonomous driving expertise. They occurred throughout daytime hours, and the company confirmed that every of the Amazon autos was working in autonomous mode main as much as the crashes. In a single crash a motorcyclist suffered minor accidents, and a Zoox driver reported minor accidents within the different, in accordance with experiences. Each occurred final month, one in San Francisco and the opposite in Spring Valley, Nevada.

The company stated the probe will give attention to the efficiency of the corporate’s automated driving system in the course of the crashes, in addition to the way it behaves in crosswalks round pedestrians and different susceptible highway customers.

In a press release, Zoox stated it’s dedicated to working with NHTSA to reply its questions. “Transparency and collaboration with regulators is of utmost significance,” the corporate stated. Zoox stated the autos had human security drivers on board.

Zoox reported the crashes beneath an order to automated car firms issued in 2021.

Amazon acquired Zoox in June of 2020 for a worth that analysts pegged at over $1 billion. In 2023 the Foster Metropolis, California, firm stated one in every of its funky-looking four-person shuttles autonomously carried workers on public roads on a mile-long (1.6 kilometer) route between two Zoox buildings.

The corporate has launched a shuttle service solely for its workers. Analysts say they anticipate Amazon to make use of the Zoox system for autonomous deliveries.

Zoox shuttles don’t have a steering wheel or pedals. The carriage-style inside of the car has two benches that face one another. It measures just below 12 ft (3.7 meters) lengthy, a few foot (a 3rd of a meter) shorter than an ordinary Mini Cooper. It’s able to going as much as 75 mph (121 kilometers per hour), though it began working on public roads at as much as 35 mph, the corporate stated.

Zoox already was beneath investigation by NHTSA. In March of 2022 the company started wanting into the corporate’s certification that its car met federal security requirements for motor autos.

The company stated on the time that it will look into whether or not Zoox used its personal check procedures to find out that sure federal requirements weren’t relevant due to the robotaxi’s distinctive configuration.