Waymo Recalls 4,000 Robotaxis Over Highway Construction Safety Concerns

Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet Inc., has initiated a recall of 4,000 robotaxis after 13 incidents where the vehicles entered highway construction zones, according to a report by TechCrunch. The company temporarily halted highway operations in major U.S. cities including Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Miami in May 2023 while addressing the issue.

What Caused the Recall?

Waymo identified “improvement potential” in its vehicles’ behavior around highway construction zones, as disclosed in filings with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The incidents, which occurred in April and May 2023, included six cases in Phoenix and seven in San Francisco. The company voluntarily restricted highway operations and informed federal and state authorities, citing safety concerns.

How Is Waymo Responding?

Waymo stated it is developing a software fix for the issue and has initiated a voluntary recall with the NHTSA. “We have proactively engaged with relevant agencies and decided to voluntarily recall software to address this,” a company representative told TechCrunch. The recall follows a series of previous incidents, including a 2022 recall of 1,200 vehicles over collisions with parked cars and a separate incident in January 2023 where a Waymo robotaxi struck a child near a school.

Why Does This Matter?

This recall highlights the challenges of scaling autonomous vehicle technology in complex environments. While Waymo’s robotaxis have operated on U.S. highways since November 2022, the incidents underscore the difficulty of programming vehicles to navigate dynamic construction zones. The NHTSA and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) are separately investigating the company’s software, following the January 2023 accident near a school.

What’s Next for Waymo?

Despite the recall, Waymo plans to expand its service to 20 U.S. cities and international markets this year, including London. The company raised $16 billion in a 2023 funding round to accelerate growth. However, New York City has delayed its expansion plans amid regulatory scrutiny. Waymo also announced a pilot program for autonomous vans produced by Chinese automaker Geely’s Zeekr brand, with field tests underway in multiple U.S. cities.