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Amazon's robotaxi unit Zoox recalls 258 vehicles over unexpected braking issue

Amazon's robotaxi unit Zoox recalls 258 vehicles over unexpected braking issue

  • 19.03.2025 10:57
  • msn.com
  • Keywords: Mercedes-Benz, Apptronik

Amazon's Zoox recalled 258 vehicles due to braking issues with its automated driving system, which has since been fixed via software updates. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz invested in robotics firm Apptronik, testing humanoid robots for factory tasks like component handling and quality checks through teleoperation.

Amazon NewsRCLsentiment_dissatisfiedTSLAsentiment_neutralNVDAsentiment_satisfiedHNDAFsentiment_neutralHYMTFsentiment_neutral

Estimated market influence

Zoox

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Recalled 258 vehicles due to braking issues

Waymo

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Recalled over 670 vehicles after a collision with a utility pole

Cruise

Cruise

Negativesentiment_dissatisfied
Analyst rating: Buy

Under scrutiny following a pedestrian incident

Mercedes-Benz

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Invested in Apptronik and testing robots for manufacturing tasks

Apptronik

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Received investment from Mercedes-Benz to develop AI-powered humanoid robots

Tesla

Tesla

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: Neutral

Musk mentioned potential factory use of Optimus but no update since

Nvidia

Nvidia

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Invested in Figure AI, which is competing with Apptronik

Figure AI

Positivesentiment_satisfied
Analyst rating: N/A

Backed by Nvidia to scale up production of AI-powered robots

Honda

Honda

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: Buy

Experimenting with humanoid robots but no large-scale deployment yet

Hyundai

Hyundai

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: Strong buy

Same as Honda, experimenting without large-scale deployment

BMW

Neutralsentiment_neutral
Analyst rating: N/A

Same as others, experimenting with robots but no scale-up

Context

Amazon's Zoox Recall: Business Insights and Market Implications

  • Recall Details:

    • 258 vehicles recalled due to unexpected hard braking caused by automated driving system (ADS) software issues.
    • Affected vehicles use ADS software versions prior to November 5, 2023.
    • Recall addressed via software updates.

  • Operational Impact:

    • Zoox has ramped up testing over the past year.
    • Testing autonomous vehicles in two new cities announced last June.

  • Market Context:

    • Self-driving vehicle companies (e.g., General Motors' Cruise, Google's Waymo) face heightened scrutiny post-2023 pedestrian incident involving a Cruise vehicle.
    • Waymo recalled over 670 vehicles after a collision with a utility pole in Phoenix, Arizona.

  • Competitive Landscape:

    • Increased regulatory focus and safety concerns may impact public perception and deployment timelines for autonomous vehicles.

Mercedes-Benz Investment in Apptronik: Business Insights and Market Implications

  • Investment Details:

    • Mercedes-Benz invested a low double-digit million-euro sum in Apptronik, a U.S.-based robotics company.

  • Robotics Use Case:

    • Testing humanoid robots ("Apollo" models) for tasks like moving components and quality checks at production sites.
    • Current testing locations: Digital Factory Campus in Berlin (Marienfelde) and Kecskemet, Hungary.

  • Strategic Goals:

    • Target areas with labor shortages, starting with repetitive or hazardous tasks.
    • Cost reduction potential highlighted as robots scale up; target cost range not disclosed but seen as "very interesting" when reaching a two-digit thousand-dollar sum.

  • Industry Trends:

    • Carmakers (Honda, Hyundai, BMW) are experimenting with humanoid robots for manufacturing, though large-scale deployment remains elusive.
    • Tesla's Optimus robot aims to perform factory tasks by year-end, per Elon Musk's April 2023 statement.

  • Market Implications:

    • Integration of AI-powered robotics in manufacturing could drive efficiency and address labor shortages.
    • High initial costs and scalability challenges remain key barriers to adoption.