Zoox recalls 270 autonomous vehicles after San Francisco collision
Zoox recalled 270 autonomous vehicles on May 30, 2025 after an unoccupied robotaxi struck an electric scooter rider in San Francisco on May 8. The vehicles' software failed to detect nearby pedestrians and prevented movement accordingly; the rider sustained minor injuries but the vehicle did not strike them again.
What happened
On May 8, 2025, an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi was struck by an electric scooter at a San Francisco intersection. The scooter rider braked to give the robotaxi right-of-way, struck the vehicle while it was stopped, and fell next to it. The robotaxi then moved and completed its turn.
Zoox recalled 270 vehicles on May 30, 2025 with Automated Driving Systems software versions released prior to May 21. The recall addressed failures to detect persons adjacent to the vehicle and prevent movement when someone is nearby. Zoox updated the software and completed repairs by May 21.
Reported impact
The scooter rider sustained minor injuries from the fall. The robotaxi continued turning after the rider fell but did not strike the person again.
Index analysis
The vehicles failed to detect a person in close proximity and moved while someone was adjacent to them, increasing the risk of injury or collision. This was the second Zoox recall in May 2025; an earlier recall of 270 vehicles followed an April 8 collision in Las Vegas involving inaccurate predictions of approaching vehicles.
Governance controls
NHTSA reviewed the incident and confirmed the company updated the automated driving software to resolve the detection and movement control issue. All 270 affected vehicles were repaired by May 21, 2025.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.