DETROIT — Amazon’s autonomous robot taxi unit is under investigation by the US government’s highway safety agency after two of its vehicles braked suddenly and were struck from behind by motorcyclists.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday in documents posted on its website that it will evaluate the automated driving system developed by Zoox.
Both accidents occurred during the day and the motorcyclists suffered minor injuries. In both cases, the agency confirmed that each of the Amazon vehicles was operating in autonomous mode before the accidents.
The agency said the investigation would focus on the performance of the company’s automated driving system during crashes, as well as its behavior in crosswalks around pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.
A message was left Monday morning seeking comment from Zoox.
Zoox reported the accidents as part of an order to automated vehicle companies issued in 2021.
Amazon acquired Zoox in June 2020 for a price that analysts put at more than $1 billion. In 2023, the Foster City, Calif., company said one of its funky four-person shuttles autonomously transported employees on public roads on a mile-long (1.6 kilometer) route between two Zoox buildings.
The company then planned to launch a shuttle service exclusively reserved for its employees. Analysts expect Amazon to use the Zoox system for autonomous deliveries.
Zoox vehicles have no steering wheel or pedals. The interior of the vehicle, shaped like a carriage, has two benches facing each other. It measures just under 12 feet (3.7 meters) long, about a foot (a third of a meter) shorter than a standard Mini Cooper, and can travel up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h). ).
Zoox was already under investigation by the NHTSA. In March 2022, the agency began reviewing the company’s certification that its vehicle met federal motor vehicle safety standards.
The agency said at the time that it would examine whether Zoox used its own testing procedures to determine that certain federal standards were not applicable due to the robotaxi’s unique configuration.
ABC News
