Amazon's Zoox Recalls All Robotaxis Over Software Issue Detecting Thick Smoke

United States of America (ANTARA) - Zoox, the autonomous vehicle developer owned by Amazon, has recalled 105 of its autonomous robotaxis following an incident revealing problems with the self-driving car’s software in detecting thick smoke at a fire scene.

According to a Carscoops release on Monday (20 July), the recall of Zoox’s autonomous robotaxi fleet was carried out after the United States federal regulator warned autonomous vehicle developers to fix their systems to recognise and respond to emergency situations.

Based on documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem affects all Zoox robotaxis running software installed between 23 April and 15 July 2026.

Zoox stated that reduced visibility caused by thick smoke can increase the risk of accidents or disrupt the work of emergency responders. The company cannot allow such risks to happen again.

The robotaxi recall follows an incident on 20 June 2026 involving one of the company’s unoccupied vehicles.

According to the company, the robotaxi entered an area of thick smoke enveloping the site of a fire that had not yet been marked with cones, before braking suddenly and attempting to swerve to avoid it.

Guided by a remote operator, the robotaxi then reversed and exited the scene.

Afterwards, firefighters closed two of the three lanes using cones.

Rather than replacing hardware components, Zoox released a software update designed to improve the system’s ability to recognise and respond to thick smoke, including smoke from electric vehicle fires.

The company said it has implemented temporary operational measures to reduce the likelihood of its vehicles entering active fire scenes before the software update was completed.

The software update was applied to the entire Zoox robotaxi fleet on 15 July 2026.

Passengers can therefore feel more at ease, as incidents like this should at least not happen again.

In its letter, the regulator highlighted what it described as a “clear pattern” of how driverless vehicles interfere with the work of emergency responders.

NHTSA cited several incidents involving robotaxis blocking ambulances and fire engines, or failing to recognise flashing emergency lights, road flares, smoke, fire and traffic cones.