Once again, the promise of autonomous driving is coming up against the reality on the ground. Zoox, Amazon’s subsidiary specialising in 100% electric robot taxis, is recalling 332 vehicles in the United States after detecting a software fault. Although no accidents were reported, the episode nevertheless serves as a reminder of the extent to which software has become the vital component (and potentially the Achilles heel) of autonomous mobility.
A defect with no serious consequences
The announcement was made on 23 December by NHTSA, the US federal road safety agency. At issue is a software defect affecting the automated driving system (ADS) in certain Zoox vehicles. Versions of the software deployed before 19 December can, in very specific situations, cause the vehicle to cross the central yellow line when crossing intersections. In concrete terms, this abnormal behaviour can lead to the vehicle unintentionally entering the opposite lane of traffic or coming to an unexpected halt in the face of oncoming traffic. Zoox says it has proactively identified 62 instances of this malfunction, with no accidents or injuries reported at this stage. This is an important clarification, which distinguishes this reminder from other more critical episodes observed recently in the sector.
Faced with this potential risk, Zoox has opted for an approach that is now standard in the world of software-defined vehicles: remote correction. A free software update was rolled out to all affected vehicles on public roads between 13 March and 18 December 2025, in coordination with NHTSA. This ability to quickly correct a fault without physically immobilising vehicles is one of the major arguments in favour of electric and autonomous platforms. However, it does not dispel persistent questions about the reliability of ADS systems in real-life conditions, particularly in complex urban environments where intersections account for a large proportion of high-risk situations.
A sustainable vision of autonomous mobility?
Fully electric, these robotaxis are part of a sustainable urban mobility approach, at least on paper. Their compact size, limited speed and strictly controlled use tend to reduce the environmental footprint and nuisance in the city, while offering a credible alternative to the private car. But this technological ideal comes up against one absolute requirement: safety. In a vehicle without a human driver capable of taking control, the slightest software fault becomes critical. Every recall, even a preventive one, becomes a credibility test for the entire sector.
At the time of the recall, Zoox was already installing its fleet in several strategic metropolises. After launching in Las Vegas in September 2025, the robotaxis are now also running in San Francisco, with extensions planned for Austin and Miami. These pilot markets have been carefully selected for their urban density and relatively favourable regulatory framework for experimentation. These gradual roll-outs are part of a cautious strategy, far from a massive launch. Zoox is moving forward in stages, increasing the number of test and demonstration phases, often under the watchful eye of federal and local authorities.
The question of technological maturity
This recall of 332 vehicles is not an isolated incident. In May 2025, Zoox had already recalled 270 units following an accident involving a pedestrian in San Francisco, linked to the late detection of a vulnerable road user. In April, 258 vehicles were also affected by an unexpected sudden braking problem. Although the NHTSA finally authorised Zoox to resume certain public demonstrations in August 2025, following the closure of an investigation opened in 2022, the accumulation of these episodes highlights a reality that is difficult to avoid: autonomous driving is making progress, but remains in a permanent learning phase.
This latest reminder is a perfect illustration of the current state of the industry. Technology is advancing fast, sometimes very fast, but every kilometre driven in real-life conditions brings its share of unforeseen events. For Zoox, as for all the players in autonomous mobility, the challenge is no longer simply to innovate, but to prove that these systems can achieve a sufficient level of reliability to be integrated into public spaces over the long term. In this global race, transparency and the ability to correct faults quickly will be as decisive as technological performance itself.
Sources: boursorama.com – zonebourse.com – Reuters
