Amazon-owned Zoox has grounded its autonomous vehicle testing fleet in Atlanta after safety drivers reported symptoms consistent with exposure to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide inside the vehicles last month. OSHA opened an inquiry after a worker filed a complaint, and a letter from the agency says up to 40 workers may have been affected, though Zoox disputes that figure. Workers say the company sent a group back out in another vehicle after some vomited, and that a second exposure occurred later that day, with the situation escalating to a 911 call on August 22.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-23
While Waymo cites data showing its robotaxis crash far less often than human drivers, a TechCrunch investigation using OSHA records found that Waymo and Amazon-owned Zoox caused dozens of test-driver injuries like whiplash and sprains during 2026 training runs, often from abrupt braking or driving errors. The report notes OSHA's data is incomplete due to narrow reporting requirements, and injuries reportedly continued at Zoox through the year.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-22
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has partnered with SAE International on a new initiative called ASCEND, aimed at creating standardized, data-driven performance benchmarks for automated driving systems. The effort comes as regulators grapple with vehicles like the Tesla Cybercab and Zoox robotaxi, which lack pedals, steering wheels, and mirrors required under existing federal vehicle safety rules. NHTSA Administrator Jonathan Morrison said the goal is to build a framework that prioritizes safety without forcing the agency into reactive, case-by-case policymaking.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-20
A Nevada Transportation Authority permit that had restricted Amazon-owned Zoox to just 100 robotaxis will lapse this month, according to confirmation from an NTA official and a Zoox spokesperson. The move allows Zoox to expand its Las Vegas fleet without the previous regulatory ceiling, though the company has not disclosed how many vehicles it plans to add.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-17
Amazon-owned Zoox is offering free rides in a fleet of about 100 purpose-built robotaxis in San Francisco, using a Rider Lounge and partnerships with local restaurants and landmarks to build public awareness. The company still lacks permission to charge passengers in California, so it's using free trips to establish a presence against Waymo, which operates nearly 4,000 vehicles in the city.
techspot.com
· 2026-09-11
Tesla began deploying its steering-wheel-free Cybercab to the public in Texas and Florida as part of its Robotaxi network, shortly after unveiling the vehicles to fans in Austin. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is now investigating whether the Cybercab meets existing federal vehicle safety standards, which still require equipment like brake pedals and mirrors that Tesla's vehicle lacks.
arstechnica.com
· 2026-09-05
Amazon-owned Zoox has extended its paid robotaxi service in Las Vegas to include Harry Reid International Airport, with rides starting Thursday. The company says its vehicles will pick up and drop off passengers near baggage claim at both terminals, unlike Uber and Lyft, whose pickup points require a longer walk to a parking garage.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-03
Waymo has started offering driverless rides to the public in San Diego, Tampa and Denver, marking its first commercial operations in Colorado, while Amazon's Zoox announced plans to begin testing its vehicles with human safety drivers in Houston and San Diego. Zoox says it will operate in 12 U.S. markets once those two cities launch, though its only paid service remains in Las Vegas.
cnbc.com
· 2026-09-01
TechCrunch reporting found OSHA filings showing more than two dozen injuries among Waymo and Zoox test drivers in 2024 and 2025, many caused by hard braking or abrupt maneuvers of the autonomous vehicles. Some workers suffered whiplash and other injuries that kept them off the job for months.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-08-30
OSHA disclosures reviewed by TechCrunch show test drivers for Waymo and Zoox suffered sprains, strains and whiplash when autonomous software braked hard or swerved suddenly, with 16 injuries linked to Waymo depots via contractor Transdev and up to eight tied to Zoox. Some workers were out for weeks or months, and current and former Zoox contractors say abrupt braking incidents are still occurring.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-08-27
Zoox, the driverless-vehicle company Amazon acquired for $1.2 billion in 2020, has begun charging passengers for rides in San Francisco and Las Vegas. Its boxy, steering-wheel-free vehicles seat up to four people and are limited to roads with speed limits of 45 mph or below under NHTSA's approval, which permits up to 5,000 vehicles over two years.
entrepreneur.com
· 2026-08-26
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