Waymo Recall: Robotaxis and School Bus Safety

Waymo Initiates Voluntary Software Recall for Robotaxi Operations

Waymo is preparing to issue a voluntary software recall in collaboration with federal safety regulators. This action concerns the operational behavior of its robotaxis when encountering school buses, as reported to TechCrunch by the Alphabet-owned company.

Recall Details and Software Updates

The company intends to file the official recall documentation early in the coming week. Waymo proactively deployed a software update on November 17th to address the identified issue. They assert that this update has demonstrably enhanced performance, now exceeding that of human drivers in similar situations.

Software recalls are becoming increasingly prevalent in the modern automotive landscape – encompassing both conventional vehicles and autonomous robotaxis – where software governs critical functions.

Increased Scrutiny from NHTSA and Local Officials

Waymo’s decision arrives amidst heightened oversight from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and criticism from authorities in both Atlanta and Austin regarding the performance of its robotaxis around school buses.

Investigation Triggered by Incident in Atlanta

NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) initiated a preliminary investigation in October following the circulation of video footage. This footage depicted a Waymo autonomous vehicle navigating around a stationary school bus – complete with extended stop sign and flashing lights – while students were disembarking in Atlanta. The robotaxi crossed the bus’s path perpendicularly and then proceeded to turn left, driving around the front of the bus.

Similar Incidents Reported in Austin

Comparable occurrences were documented in Austin, Texas, where Waymo operates a robotaxi service in partnership with Uber. Officials from the Austin School District have stated, in a letter publicly available on NHTSA’s website, that at least five such incidents transpired even after Waymo claimed to have implemented software improvements.

NHTSA Requests Further Information

On December 3rd, the agency formally requested additional details from Waymo concerning its self-driving system and operational procedures. This request followed reports from the Austin School District detailing 19 instances of robotaxis allegedly illegally passing school buses throughout the year. Regulators specifically sought comprehensive information regarding Waymo’s fifth-generation self-driving system.

Waymo’s Commitment to Safety

“While we are incredibly proud of our strong safety record showing Waymo experiences twelve times fewer injury crashes involving pedestrians than human drivers, holding the highest safety standards means recognizing when our behavior should be better,” stated Mauricio Peña, Waymo’s Chief Safety Officer, in a written communication. “As a result, we have made the decision to file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA related to appropriately slowing and stopping in these scenarios. We will continue analyzing our vehicles’ performance and making necessary fixes as part of our commitment to continuous improvement.”

No Injuries Reported

The company confirms that no injuries were sustained in connection with the vehicle behavior prompting this recall. Waymo has consistently emphasized its unwavering commitment to safety and its ongoing collaboration with NHTSA.

Further investigation, tracking, and implementation of updates will continue as needed.

Previous Recalls

Waymo previously issued a voluntary software recall earlier in the year, and two more in 2024. One of these earlier recalls was prompted by an incident in Phoenix where a Waymo vehicle, operating without a human safety operator, collided with a telephone pole during a low-speed maneuver.