Waymo is recalling approximately 3,800 of its robotaxis in the U.S. due to software issues that could potentially allow the vehicles to drive onto flooded roadways. This voluntary recall affects vehicles equipped with the company's fifth and sixth generation automated driving systems, as noted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
The recall follows incidents in Austin, Texas, where Waymo's autonomous vehicles were recorded driving onto flooded streets and stalling, which posed navigation challenges for other drivers.
This incident adds to a series of safety concerns for Waymo, which is owned by Alphabet, particularly regarding its vehicles' failure to yield to school buses and their performance during power outages in San Francisco last December, where they contributed to traffic congestion.
In response to these issues, Waymo acknowledged the need for improvements related to navigating flooded lanes on higher-speed roads and has initiated a voluntary software recall. The company emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that it provides over half a million trips weekly in challenging driving conditions and is implementing additional software safeguards.
Furthermore, Waymo has established measures to restrict its robotaxis from operating in areas prone to flash flooding during heavy rain