USA is investigating Amazon’s self-driving robotaxi unit Zoox after two rear-end collisions

DETROIT (AP) — The U.S. government’s Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating Amazon’s self-driving robotaxi unit after two of its vehicles suddenly braked and were rear-ended by motorcyclists.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in documents posted on its website Monday 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 will focus on the performance of the company’s automated driving system during the crashes, as well as its behavior in crosswalks near pedestrians and other vulnerable road users.

A message seeking comment was left from Zoox early Monday.

Zoox reported the accidents under a 2021 order to automated vehicle companies.

Amazon acquired Zoox in June 2020 for a price that analysts estimated at over $1 billion. In 2023, the Foster City, California-based company said one of its fancy four-person shuttles autonomously transported employees on public roads on a 1.6-kilometer route between two Zoox buildings.

Later, the company planned to introduce a shuttle service exclusively for its employees. Analysts expect Amazon to use the Zoox system for autonomous deliveries.

Zoox vehicles have no steering wheel or pedals. The carriage-like interior of the vehicle has two bench seats facing each other. It’s nearly 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 has already been investigated 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 investigate whether Zoox used its own testing procedures to determine that certain federal standards did not apply because of the robotaxis’ unique configuration.