Regulators open probe into Amazon self-driving unit Zoox after accidents

U.S. regulators have opened an investigation into the Amazon self-driving subsidiary Zoox, following reports of two separate accidents with the company’s vehicles.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened a preliminary evaluation into the Zoox Automated Driving System (ADS), after the Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) was notified of two incidents featuring Toyota Highlander units utilizing the software. In both instances, the Highlander unexpectedly and suddenly braked, causing rear-end collisions that left motorcyclists with minor injuries.

The ODI has confirmed that the vehicles were operating in the ADS autonomous modes at the time of the collision, and it says the investigation into roughly 500 Zoox Highlander units will evaluate the aforementioned accidents. In addition, the investigation will look at the software’s behavior in crosswalks around pedestrians and in other similar situations to the accidents.

The accidents both took place last month, one in Spring Valley, Nevada, and the other in San Francisco, California. You can see the full ODI report below, in which the agency approved opening a preliminary investigation.

The news comes after the agency opened a preliminary probe into Ford’s BlueCruise partially automated driving system a few weeks ago, following two reports of accidents that occurred while the self-proclaimed “hands-free highway driving” software was engaged.

It also comes as other driverless ride-sharing companies face scrutiny, especially after one vehicle from General Motors’ (GM) self-driving company Cruise hit, dragged, and pinned a pedestrian who had been struck by another vehicle last year.

Google parent company Alphabet also owns driverless ride-hailing company Waymo, and despite the company also facing some legal challenges, it was also approved to expand self-driving tests to additional areas of California in recent months. Tesla has also announced plans to unveil a robotaxi platform in August, based on its Full Self-Driving (FSD) software.

Tesla has ‘no chance’ to achieve Full Self-Driving next year, claims Zoox co-founder

What are your thoughts? Let me know at zach@teslarati.com, find me on X at @zacharyvisconti, or send us tips at tips@teslarati.com.

The post Regulators open probe into Amazon self-driving unit Zoox after accidents appeared first on TESLARATI.