Amazon-owned Zoox has issued a software recall affecting 105 of its autonomous vehicles after one of its robotaxis entered a smoke-filled emergency scene and failed to respond as intended. The recall introduces software improvements designed to enhance smoke detection and the vehicle's ability to recognize emergency situations with reduced visibility. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the software update is being deployed over the air to the affected fleet. Smoke-Filled Fire Scene Prompted the Recall The incident occurred on June 20, 2026, when an unoccupied Zoox robotaxi approached an active fire scene where heavy smoke obscured the roadway. According to the NHTSA recall report, the emergency area had not yet been fully secured with traffic cones before the autonomous vehicle entered the smoke-covered section of the road. Zoox said the robotaxi braked while attempting to steer away from the affected area. A remote teleguidance operator then instructed the vehicle to reverse out of the scene. Firefighters completed the road closure shortly afterward. The company reported that no passengers were inside the vehicle, and no injuries or collisions occurred during the incident. Software Update Improves Smoke Detection The software recall focuses on improving how the autonomous vehicle responds when visibility is limited by dense smoke. Zoox said the update strengthens the robotaxi's ability to detect smoke, recognize emergency response scenes, and make safer driving decisions in changing road conditions. The company is distributing the software update through an over-the-air rollout, allowing all affected robotaxis to receive the changes without requiring service visits. Zoox stated that the recall applies to 105 vehicles operating within its autonomous fleet. NHTSA Recall Filed Earlier This Month The recall was filed with the NHTSA on July 8, 2026, before becoming publicly available on July 17. The agency's safety report describes the incident and