Zoox Grounds Atlanta Test Fleet After Workers Report Exposure Symptoms
Zoox has suspended its autonomous vehicle test fleet in Atlanta following multiple incidents where safety drivers reported exposure to potentially toxic gases. The Amazon-owned company is investigating after one worker filed a complaint with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), prompting an inquiry into possible carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide gas exposure inside the vehicles. According to internal documents reviewed by TechCrunch, as many as 40 workers may have been exposed. Some were sent back out in different cars after reporting symptoms like vomiting and nausea, only for similar issues to arise again later that day. Zoox claims it has not detected carbon monoxide but identified CO2 exposure in one case and is adding monitors to its vehicles. The incidents occurred as the company expands operations into new cities while competing with market leader Waymo. The affected test fleet remains quarantined, though Zoox’s electric robotaxis are unaffected by these issues.
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Topics: autonomous vehicles employee health OSHA safety regulations