Driving Cars Navigate City Streets

Zoox, a self-driving car company owned by Amazon, operates a command center in Foster City, California, where human technicians assist its autonomous vehicles. These robot taxis, which lack steering wheels and driver seats, sometimes struggle with complex driving situations, necessitating remote guidance. For instance, a technician recently helped a Zoox car navigate around a fire truck and an ambulance during an emergency in San Francisco. The technician used a computer interface to adjust the car's path in real-time, demonstrating the reliance on human oversight in the current state of autonomous driving technology. The command center employs about three dozen staff members who monitor a small fleet of driverless cars, including two in Foster City and several in Las Vegas. In addition to these autonomous vehicles, Zoox maintains a fleet of around 200 test cars that still have drivers. This contrasts with other companies like Waymo and Cruise, which are also exploring driverless technology but have faced scrutiny over safety incidents. Regulatory challenges have arisen in the industry, as seen when Cruise was ordered to halt operations after a serious incident involving one of its vehicles. The Zoox command center operates with a similar model, where approximately 1.5 workers support each vehicle, including remote assistance personnel. This highlights the ongoing need for human intervention in the development of fully autonomous driving systems. While Zoox's robot taxis are not yet available to the public, the company is testing innovative vehicles designed specifically for self-driving. The technology includes advanced sensors and cameras that provide real-time data to technicians, allowing them to assist vehicles in navigating complex scenarios, thus ensuring safety and efficiency on the roads.