Waymo is recalling nearly 4,000 robotaxis following a series of incidents where its autonomous vehicles drove into active construction zones on highways. The recall comes after at least 13 such events, including seven that occurred in a single day in San Francisco on May 18.
According to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the company's software was "prioritizing the avoidance of other freeway hazards and/or failing to recognize the construction zone." The self-driving cars have previously been recalled for driving into floodwater, gates, and telephone poles.
One incident was captured on social media by passenger Elliot Slade, who described the vehicle accelerating toward a construction zone with warning signs, flashing lights, and police present. Slade told CBS News he believed he and his fiancée would die during the 20-second acceleration.
This recall highlights ongoing challenges in autonomous vehicle navigation, particularly in handling temporary road conditions. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been a leader in robotaxi deployment but continues to face safety scrutiny.
While Waymo has not publicly commented on this specific recall, the NHTSA filings suggest a need for software updates to better recognize and respond to construction zones while avoiding other hazards.