Zoox recalls 105 robotaxis following interference with active fire emergency
The US regulator has directed autonomous vehicle firms to improve emergency response protocols, citing a "functional insufficiency" in current systems.
Zoox has issued a software recall for 105 of its robotaxis to address a critical gap in the vehicles' ability to detect and respond to heavy smoke. The recall follows an incident on 20 June where an autonomous vehicle entered a traffic lane obscured by smoke from an active fire, braked, and reversed under remote guidance, thereby interfering with first responders. The software update aims to enhance the system's capability to identify and navigate such hazardous conditions safely.
The incident occurred in a traffic lane that had not been cordoned off with cones at the time the vehicle arrived. According to Zoox's recall report, the robotaxi entered the scene and braked hard while attempting to steer away before coming to a stop. A teleguidance tactician then directed the vehicle to reverse. Following this, first responders placed traffic cones to block two of the three through-lanes. Zoox stated that this is the only instance of a vehicle encountering smoke-related issues within its fleet.
The recall comes in the wake of a directive from the US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), which demanded that autonomous vehicle companies improve their responses to emergency situations. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison described the inability to detect such situations as a "functional insufficiency," emphasising that emergency scenes are not rare or extreme edge cases. The regulator plans to meet with autonomous vehicle companies before the end of July to discuss these protocols.
This software recall marks the second such action for Zoox in recent months, following a previous recall in May 2025 regarding a collision with a passenger car in Las Vegas. The incident highlights growing scrutiny over how robotaxis handle emergencies as companies like Zoox and Waymo expand testing and ride offerings in more cities. Concerns are mounting regarding the safety and reliability of autonomous systems in complex, real-world environments.
Despite the setback, Zoox has experienced a growth year, including the introduction of an updated robotaxi version and the expansion of service areas in Las Vegas and San Francisco in March. The company also plans to test its software in new cities. The current recall aims to rectify the specific detection flaws identified in the June incident, ensuring the fleet can better distinguish between standard traffic and active emergency zones.
