The autonomous vehicle landscape just got a bit more complicated for Amazon-owned Zoox. In a recent incident that’s raising eyebrows across the tech community, the self-driving company has issued its second voluntary software recall in just a month following a collision involving an e-scooter rider in San Francisco.

The May 8th incident involved an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi that was operating at low speed. According to the company’s report, the vehicle was braking to yield at an intersection when it was struck by an e-scooter. The e-scooterist experienced minor injuries but declined medical attention.

This isn’t the first time Zoox has faced safety challenges. Just weeks earlier, the company recalled approximately 270 vehicles after a crash in Las Vegas that sparked concerns about the autonomous software’s ability to predict other road users’ movements. The pattern is starting to look concerning for a company aiming to revolutionize urban transportation.

In response to the latest incident, Zoox has already issued a software update designed to “improve perception tracking and further prevent vehicle movement when a vulnerable road user may be very near the vehicle”. The company shared all relevant information and video footage with regulators, demonstrating a commitment to transparency.

The incident echoes broader challenges in the autonomous vehicle industry. Just last year, Cruise – another self-driving car company – saw its operations dramatically impacted after a serious pedestrian accident, highlighting the immense safety responsibilities these tech companies bear.

Zoox’s repeated software recalls, including a March incident involving unexpected hard braking that affected 258 vehicles, underscore the complex technical challenges of developing truly safe autonomous vehicles. As the technology continues to evolve, these incidents serve as crucial learning opportunities for refining self-driving systems.

For Bay Area residents and tech enthusiasts, these developments represent more than just technical hiccups – they’re a glimpse into the future of urban mobility and the ongoing quest to make autonomous transportation safe and reliable.