Waymo to issue software recall over how robotaxis behave around school buses

Waymo has announced plans for a voluntary software recall in collaboration with federal safety regulators, focusing on the performance of its robotaxis near school buses. The company, a subsidiary of Alphabet, informed TechCrunch that the recall documentation will be submitted early next week. Upon identifying the issue, Waymo promptly updated its software on November 17, claiming that this modification significantly enhanced performance, surpassing that of human drivers in critical situations involving school buses. This decision comes amid heightened scrutiny from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and concerns raised by officials in Atlanta and Austin regarding the robotaxis' behavior around stopped school buses. The NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation commenced an inquiry into Waymo in October after observing footage of one of its autonomous vehicles navigating around a halted school bus with flashing lights and an extended stop sign, which was discharging children in Atlanta. The video showed the robotaxi crossing in front of the bus before turning left and proceeding down the street. Similar incidents have also been reported in Austin, where Waymo operates alongside its partner Uber. Officials from the Austin School District have documented at least five occurrences where Waymo’s vehicles allegedly failed to comply with traffic laws after the software update. In a December 3 letter to Waymo, the NHTSA requested further details regarding the company’s self-driving technology and operational protocols, following claims that its robotaxis passed school buses illegally on 19 occasions this year. Waymo's Chief Safety Officer, Mauricio Peña, acknowledged the company's commendable safety record, noting that Waymo vehicles experience twelve times fewer injury crashes involving pedestrians compared to human drivers. However, he emphasized the importance of acknowledging when improvements are necessary. The decision to pursue a voluntary software recall reflects the company's commitment to ensuring that its vehicles adhere to the highest safety standards. Fortunately, no injuries have been reported related to the issues prompting this recall. Waymo has reiterated that safety remains its utmost priority and that it will continue to collaborate with the NHTSA. The company plans to persist in monitoring its vehicles' performance and implementing necessary updates as part of its dedication to ongoing improvement. In today's landscape of modern vehicles, including robotaxis, software recalls are increasingly commonplace. These updates are often initiated prior to formal recall announcements but still hold significant importance when reported to federal authorities. Earlier this year, Waymo executed a voluntary software recall, alongside two others planned for 2024, one stemming from an incident in Phoenix where a Waymo vehicle, operating without a human safety driver, collided with a telephone pole during a low-speed maneuver.