Zoox Recalls 105 Robotaxis After Fire IncidentGummyBone - Getty ImagesZoox has issued a recall of the software driving its fleet of 105 robotaxis after one of its autonomous vehicles drove into a smoke-obscured emergency fire scene in Las Vegas, the latest incident to draw federal scrutiny over how driverless vehicles interact with first responders.The incident behind the voluntary recall happened on June 20, during which an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi approached smoke from an active fire scene before emergency crews had fully secured the area with traffic cones. The vehicle entered the smoke, braked hard while attempting to steer away from the scene, then came to a stop. Then, under the guidance of a remote operator, it reversed out of the area. Zoox said its own investigation found no similar incidents in its operating history and that it has already deployed an over-the-air update to its software designed to improve the vehicle's ability to detect and respond to heavy smoke.The recall comes just days after National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) Administrator Jonathan Morrison told autonomous vehicle developers that a "clear pattern" has emerged of driverless vehicles interfering with emergency responders. The agency said it has documented incidents involving robotaxis driving into active emergency scenes, blocking ambulances and fire trucks, or failing to recognize warnings such as flashing lights, traffic cones, fire, and smoke. NHTSA plans to meet with autonomous vehicle developers by the end of the month to discuss proposed solutions.AdvertisementAdvertisementThis type of problem is hardly unique to Zoox. Waymo has also been involved in several high-profile emergency-scene incidents, including one in Dallas where one of its robotaxis reportedly impeded access for fire crews responding to an apartment blaze. Safety investigators are also looking into other Waymo incidents, including reports of robotaxis passing stopped school buses displaying flashing lights. More recently, Waymo recalled about 3,900 autonomous vehicles after incidents involving freeway construction zones.