Amazon's autonomous robotaxi division , Zoox , is under investigation by the US Highway Safety Agency after two of its vehicles braked suddenly and were involved in an accident with motorcyclists.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) said it will evaluate the automated system developed by Zoox. Both crashes occurred during the day and the motorcyclists suffered minor injuries. It is understood that Amazon's vehicles were operating in autonomous mode before the accidents.
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The research will focus on the performance of the system during accidents, as well as how it behaves at crosswalks and generally around pedestrians and other vulnerable people on the road.
Amazon – Zoox: Autonomous vehicles
Amazon acquired Zoox in June 2020. In 2023, the company said one of its funky, four-person buses autonomously shuttled employees on public roads between two Zoox buildings (a distance of 1.6 kilometers). The company later planned to launch a shuttle service exclusively for its employees.
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Zoox vehicles have no steering wheel or pedals. They are just under 3.7 meters long and can travel at up to 56 km/h. The interior of the vehicle has two benches facing each other.
Zoox was already under investigation by the NHTSA. As of March 2022, the agency launched an investigation to determine whether the company's vehicles met federal safety.
Role NHTSA
The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is responsible for investigating incidents related to safety vehicle. In this case, NHTSA will be investigating incidents of Amazon's Zoox self-driving cars braking suddenly and causing accidents.
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NHTSA's role includes analyzing data , examining vehicles and their automation systems, and evaluating performance in real-world driving conditions.
If NHTSA finds a safety deficiency, it can require Amazon to recall the vehicles or make changes to ensure public safety
Finally, NHTSA will publish the results of the investigation, providing transparency to the public and helping the industry improve the safety of autonomous vehicles.
Source: abcnews.go.com
