Amazon’sself-driving cars are under investigation by federal safety regulators after two separate vehicles malfunctioned and caused crashes with other motorists, leading to minor injuries. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration announced Monday it was probing Amazon’s Zoox robotaxi venture after two Toyota Highlanders outfitted with the self-driving tech braked suddenly, causing motorcyclists behind the vehicles to crash into them. Both vehicles were in self-driving mode when the crashes occurred, the NHTSA said, and both crashes happened in broad daylight. The probe will evaluate 500 cars and focus specifically on how Zoox’s system behaves near crosswalks and “in other similar rear-end collision scenarios.” It’s the second investigation the safety agency has opened into Zoox; last year, it announced it would review the company’s 2022 self-certification that its robotaxis are up to federal safety standards. Amazon acquired Zoox in 2020 for $1.2 billion, and the company has continued to function independently within the e-commerce giant. It’s testing its driverless robotaxis in Las Vegas, Nevada and Foster City, California.
