Waymo Under Investigation After Robotaxi Incident with School Bus

Waymo Robotaxi Incident Sparks Federal Safety Investigation

A Waymo robotaxi was recently observed navigating around a school bus with activated flashing red lights, prompting a formal investigation by federal safety authorities.

NHTSA Launches Investigation into Waymo's Autonomous System

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced on Monday that its Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) initiated a probe following the review of footage from early October. The video depicted a Waymo autonomous vehicle maneuvering around a stopped school bus in Atlanta, Georgia, while it was in the process of unloading children.

The ODI will focus its investigation on the performance of Waymo’s self-driving software when encountering stationary school buses. It will also assess the system’s design in relation to regulations governing school bus interactions, and related safety protocols.

NHTSA indicated that preliminary discussions with Waymo suggest a high probability of similar incidents occurring previously.

Details of the Incident

The Waymo robotaxi approached the school bus perpendicularly from its right side. It then proceeded to turn left, passing in front of the bus before continuing down the street.

Waymo states that the school bus was partially obstructing the driveway from which the robotaxi was departing. The company asserts that the vehicle’s sensors were unable to detect the flashing lights or the stop sign.

A response regarding the vehicle’s ability to perceive the students disembarking from the bus, or the bus’s stop arm, was not immediately provided by Waymo.

Waymo's Response and Safety Record

“Safety remains our paramount concern as we consistently deliver hundreds of thousands of fully autonomous, paid trips each week in some of the nation’s most demanding driving environments,” Waymo stated. The company highlighted data suggesting its vehicles are involved in fewer collisions than those driven by humans.

Waymo emphasized its commitment to collaboration with NHTSA, viewing the agency as a crucial partner in road safety and its own mission to become the world’s most trusted autonomous driving provider.

The company also announced that it has already deployed software updates to its fleet aimed at enhancing performance.

Waymo's Expansion and Ongoing Testing

This year has seen significant expansion for Waymo. The company has launched services in Atlanta, Austin, and expanded its operations throughout Silicon Valley. Testing is also underway in several other metropolitan areas, including New York City.

Furthermore, Waymo is conducting trials at the San Jose and San Francisco airports, with plans to extend its reach to additional cities by 2026.

The process of launching in new cities inherently involves the self-driving system encountering and learning from novel scenarios. However, it is reasonable to assume that Waymo’s robotaxis had previously encountered school buses.

Previous NHTSA Investigations

This is not the first instance of NHTSA initiating an investigation into Waymo’s self-driving technology. In 2023, the agency investigated reports of Waymo vehicles experiencing difficulties with roadway barriers, such as gates and chains, in low-speed situations.

That investigation culminated in a recall in May, which Waymo addressed through a software update. Last year, the agency also announced a probe focusing on reports of Waymo vehicles incorrectly changing lanes or entering construction zones.

• Key Focus: Performance around stopped school buses.
• Agency Involved: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
• Location of Incident: Atlanta, Georgia.