Waymo has announced a recall of its entire fleet of robotaxis due to safety concerns, specifically related to incidents where at least 13 of its 3,871 vehicles entered freeway construction zones. This recall follows six reported occurrences in Phoenix during April and seven additional incidents in San Francisco in May, leading to a suspension of service on affected roads. One instance, recorded by writer Elliot Slade on May 19th, showcased a Waymo vehicle disregarding construction zone markings and police presence.
In its communication with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Waymo acknowledged an “area of improvement” regarding construction zones and stated that a solution is currently in development. While the recall is voluntary, the company has previously faced six recalls, with the latest occurring in May due to incidents involving flooded streets. Other recalls have addressed collisions with various objects, including gates and school buses.
Despite these challenges, Waymo maintains that its robotaxis are statistically safer than vehicles driven by humans, claiming its cars are 13 times less likely to be involved in serious injury collisions. However, past incidents, including a car striking a child in Santa Monica, have raised public concern about the safety of its autonomous vehicles.