Waymo recalls 3,800 robotaxis after glitch allowed some vehicles to 'drive into standing water'

Waymo has announced a recall of approximately 3,800 of its robotaxis in the United States due to a software glitch that could potentially allow the vehicles to drive onto flooded roadways. This decision was made public through a letter on the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA) website. The recall specifically targets vehicles equipped with the company's fifth and sixth generation automated driving systems (ADS). The issue came to light when Waymo's autonomous vehicles were captured on camera in Austin, Texas, navigating onto a flooded street, which caused them to stall and obstruct other drivers. This recall adds to a series of safety concerns for Waymo, which is part of Alphabet and is rapidly expanding its fleet and operations into new markets across the U.S. In the past, the company faced criticism for its vehicles not yielding to school buses in Austin and for the performance of its robotaxis during power outages in San Francisco last December, which led to significant traffic disruptions. In a statement released on Tuesday, Waymo acknowledged the need for improvements concerning untraversable flooded lanes, particularly on higher-speed roads. They have opted for a voluntary software recall to address these concerns. Waymo emphasized its commitment to safety, stating that it facilitates over half a million trips weekly in challenging driving environments across the nation. To further enhance safety, the company is developing additional software safeguards and has implemented measures to restrict robotaxi operations during severe weather conditions to prevent them from entering areas prone to flash flooding during heavy rains.