Waymo recalls 3,871 of its 5th Generation Automated Driving Systems after reports of robotaxis entering closed freeway construction zones; a software update is in development and freeway driving is restricted pending fixes.
Waymo recalled 3,871 of its 5th Generation Automated Driving Systems after reports surfaced that several robotaxis entered closed freeway construction zones.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said in a recall report that the vehicle software may allow the car to enter a closed freeway construction zone and continue driving at posted speeds, and Waymo, the robotaxi operator, estimates 100% of the affected vehicles are impacted; the units were manufactured between May 17, 2022, and May 19.
Waymo's Field Safety Committee began meeting in late April after reviewing six events in which robotaxis drove past ramp-closure signs into freeway construction zones and met again in May to discuss seven additional instances in the San Francisco Bay Area.
As of June 13, Waymo said a remedy was under development and that it will deploy a software update when available.
Until the root cause is identified and fixed, Waymo's Field Safety Committee restricted freeway driving for its vehicles.
