Waymo has halted service in two cities as its robotaxis face difficulties managing heavy rain and flooding, which led to a recall last week. A Waymo robotaxi was seen navigating a flooded street in Atlanta, Georgia, before becoming stuck for about an hour. It was later retrieved, and service in Atlanta, as well as San Antonio, Texas, is paused while a solution is developed.
“Safety is Waymo’s top priority,” the company stated after an incident in Atlanta where an unoccupied vehicle stopped at a flooded road during intense rain. The company admitted a complete solution for avoiding flood-prone areas wasn’t yet developed when a software recall was issued. An update was shipped to add restrictions in high-risk areas, according to documents from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Despite precautions, a robotaxi entered a flooded intersection in Atlanta. Waymo explained the storm caused flooding before any National Weather Service alerts. The company relies on such alerts to help prepare vehicles for adverse weather.
Previously, Waymo’s robotaxis made headlines for illegal actions around school buses, resulting in active investigations by both the NHTSA and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). Waymo provided the NHTSA with documents, redacted for public release. The NHTSA requested further data from Waymo after an initial response.
Another investigation concerns a January 23 incident where a Waymo robotaxi collided with a child in Santa Monica, California. The robotaxi reportedly slowed to about six miles per hour before the impact, and the child sustained minor injuries.
This article includes updated information about Waymo’s use of National Weather Service alerts.