Waymo will recall software after its self-driving cars passed stopped school buses
Waymo is set to recall software for its autonomous vehicles following reports that some self-driving taxis failed to stop for stopped school buses, prompting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Austin Independent School District has documented 19 instances of such behavior, raising safety concerns, particularly after a near-miss incident involving a student. Although no injuries have been reported, Waymo acknowledges a software issue and plans to address it through a voluntary recall. NHTSA has requested further information from Waymo, with a deadline for response set for January 20, 2026, as the company aims to maintain its safety standards amidst ongoing scrutiny.
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The investigation into Waymo's vehicles was triggered by a media report and video evidence showing a Waymo vehicle illegally passing a school bus with its stop signals activated.
The Austin Independent School District's letter highlighted the serious nature of the incidents, including one where a vehicle passed a bus shortly after a student crossed the road.
Waymo's Chief Safety Officer emphasized the importance of recognizing areas for improvement, despite the company's claims of a strong safety record with significantly fewer serious crashes compared to human drivers.
Waymo reports a 91% reduction in serious injuries and a 92% reduction in pedestrian injuries in the cities where its vehicles operate, supported by independent analyses.
As of July, Waymo's autonomous vehicles had driven over 100 million miles, accumulating an additional 2 million miles weekly, prompting NHTSA to express concerns about the potential for similar incidents.
NHTSA investigators have sent detailed inquiries to Waymo regarding the incidents, asking for documentation and responses on how the company is addressing the situation.
The planned voluntary recall is expected to take place early next week, as Waymo works on software updates to resolve the identified issues.