Amazon’s self-driving robotaxi unit, Zoox, is under investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) after two incidents involving its vehicles. In both cases, Zoox’s autonomous vehicles braked suddenly and were rear-ended by motorcyclists, resulting in minor injuries to the riders. The NHTSA confirmed that the Amazon vehicles were operating in autonomous mode leading up to the crashes.
The agency’s probe will focus on the performance of Zoox’s automated driving system during the crashes and how it behaves around pedestrians and other vulnerable road users in crosswalks. The investigation comes as part of an order issued in 2021 requiring automated vehicle companies to report crashes.
Amazon acquired Zoox in June 2020 for a price estimated by analysts to be over $1 billion. In 2023, the company announced that one of its distinctive four-person shuttles had autonomously transported employees on a mile-long route between two Zoox buildings in Foster City, California.
The company had plans to launch a shuttle service exclusively for its employees, with analysts expecting Amazon to eventually use the Zoox system for autonomous deliveries.
Zoox’s vehicles stand out for their unique design, lacking a steering wheel or pedals. The carriage-style interior features two benches facing each other, and the vehicle measures just under 12 feet long, about a foot shorter than a standard Mini Cooper. It can travel at speeds up to 35 miles per hour.
This isn’t the first time Zoox has been under NHTSA’s scrutiny. In March 2022, the agency began investigating the company’s certification that its vehicle met federal safety standards for motor vehicles.
The agency aimed to determine whether Zoox used its own test procedures to conclude that certain federal standards were not applicable due to the robotaxi’s unique configuration.
As the investigation unfolds, it will shed light on the safety and performance of Zoox’s autonomous driving technology and its potential impact on the future of transportation.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.