Zoox grounds Atlanta test fleet after workers report toxic gas exposure symptoms
Zoox has halted its autonomous vehicle test fleet in Atlanta following reports of safety drivers potentially being exposed to carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, or hydrogen sulfide gas inside its vehicles last month.
Autonomous vehicle company Zoox has suspended testing of its vehicles in Atlanta. The decision comes after workers reported potential exposure to hazardous gases, including carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, and hydrogen sulfide, within the vehicles last month.
The issue surfaced when an employee filed a complaint with the U.S. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). OSHA has opened an inquiry into the matter and requested that Zoox investigate the exposures. While Zoox, owned by Amazon, has not directly commented on the situation, the company has taken steps to halt operations.
According to a letter from OSHA viewed by TechCrunch, as many as 40 workers may have been exposed to the gases in the vehicles. The incidents raise questions about the safety protocols in place for Zoox's testing operations and how such situations will be prevented going forward.
Zoox has been conducting tests of its autonomous vehicles in Atlanta, and this suspension could impact the company's development timelines. The company has not yet stated when testing operations will resume.