Business
Waymo Recalls Nearly 3,900 Robotaxis Over Construction Zone Safety Issue
Waymo recalls nearly 3,900 robotaxis in the US after a software bug caused vehicles to drive into closed freeway construction zones. Dozens of incidents have been reported in California and Arizona since April, leading to the recall. Waymo said it improved the software and limited freeway operations on a temporary basis as part of improvement measures. The recall comes just weeks after the automaker had made another safety-related recall due to flooded roads, and at a point where it is already facing separate investigations into other incidents with its autonomous vehicles.
Waymo is recalling nearly 3,900 robotaxis in the U.S. after pinpointing a software glitch that could see self-driving vehicles power up and drive away from closed freeway construction zones.
This is the company's second recall in just more than a month and was filed with the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Software related to multiple cases
The recall filing indicated that over a dozen incidents had been recorded in California and Arizona since early April. In those situations, Waymo vehicles failed to process ramp closure signs and inadvertently entered freeway construction zones or even moved into the path of construction work in active traffic lanes.
The company had previously limited freeway driving less than one month after the incidents while it made upgrades. The subsequent Waymo update added detection capability for Freeway closures and also prevented collisions on construction sites.
The company said it had spotted a scenario in which its technology would likely benefit from faster, higher-precision computing about freeway construction zones and suspended freeway operations on its own until the work was done.
This recall is in addition to other safety reviews and investigations
Waymo also recalled more than 3,800 robotaxis last month over fears that calm waters could suddenly entice vehicles to drive onto flooded roads and clip their speed limit. Technically, the recall process started after a Waymo vehicle, unmanned at the time, drove into high water in San Antonio during inclement weather on April 20. No injuries were reported.
Over the past two years, Waymo has recalled a pair of issues ranging from its ability to detect pole-like objects to predicting the action within tunnels by vehicles that have been unloaded on their tow bars.
Also, the company is facing an NHTSA investigation as one of its self-driving vehicles in January this year hit a child and injured him slightly near an elementary school in Santa Monica, California.
The National Transportation Safety Board is probing an incident in which Waymo vehicles illegally drove past a stopped school bus with its lights flashing. This was similar to another recall of Waymo vehicles back in December last year, when some more than 60 self-driving minivans had a wheel well problem.
FAQs
How many robotaxis are recalled?
The decision impacts nearly 3,900 Waymo robotaxis.
Why is Waymo recalling the vehicles?
May cause vehicles to drive into closed freeway work zones.
Where did the incidents occur?
The circumstances occurred in California and Arizona.
Did anyone get injured?
There were no injuries involved in the construction zone incidents.
Is Waymo facing other investigations?
It is being investigated over a child's death and bus crash safety.
Source: Reuters
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