Waymo Recalling Autonomous Driving Software After Flooded Road Incident
Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company owned by Alphabet, is issuing a recall for its software that enabled vehicles to navigate flooded roads. The recall affects 3,791 vehicles utilizing Waymo’s fifth and sixth generation systems, according to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.
The recall comes after an incident where an unoccupied Waymo robotaxi encountered a flooded section of a roadway with a 40 mph speed limit. Despite detecting the flooded road, the vehicle proceeded at a reduced speed. Waymo stated that it is working on a solution to address this issue. In the meantime, the company has updated its vehicles with increased weather-related constraints and updated maps.
Although no injuries were reported in the incident, it underscores the challenges faced by autonomous vehicle companies when operating in extreme weather conditions. Waymo has primarily operated in cities with warmer climates such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin. However, as the company looks to expand to East Coast cities like Boston, New York City, and Washington, DC, its ability to navigate adverse weather conditions will be crucial.
Ensuring the safety and reliability of autonomous driving technology in all weather conditions will be a key focus for Waymo as it continues to advance its capabilities and expand its presence in different regions.