Waymo Faces Scrutiny with Latest Robotaxi Recall in Texas

Waymo has issued a voluntary recall following multiple safety concerns regarding its robotaxis in Texas, specifically in Austin. The recall comes after videos surfaced showing the robotaxis illegally driving past stopped school buses with their stop signs deployed, with over 19 incidents reported.

The Austin Independent School District has urged Waymo to halt operations around schools during peak hours, citing ongoing safety violations that have occurred approximately 1.5 times a week during the school year.

In response, Waymo stated that software updates were implemented by November 17 to address these issues, and its Chief Safety Officer, Mauricio Pena, highlighted the company's commitment to improving their systems, asserting that Waymo vehicles experience significantly fewer crashes involving pedestrians compared to human drivers.

Despite these assurances, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened a Preliminary Evaluation into the robotaxi's behavior, indicating federal scrutiny of Waymo's compliance with traffic safety laws.

This situation has raised broader concerns about the reliability of autonomous vehicle technology, especially in densely populated urban areas.