Waymo has announced a software recall affecting 1,200 of its self-driving vehicles due to incidents where its robotaxis were involved in minor accidents with stationary objects such as gates and chains. This recall, first reported by Reuters, follows a software update implemented late last year. According to documents submitted to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), Waymo’s Safety Board determined that the recall was necessary to meet regulatory requirements.
The NHTSA had initiated a preliminary investigation into Waymo’s automated driving system after discovering seven incidents between December 2022 and April 2024, where robotaxis collided with objects like gates. Fortunately, none of these incidents resulted in injuries. Following this scrutiny, Waymo released a software update in November 2024 aimed at significantly reducing the occurrence of such incidents. At that point, the fleet consisted of 1,200 robotaxis, and as of now, Waymo operates 1,500 commercial robotaxis across major cities including Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
During the NHTSA’s evaluation, Waymo had been simultaneously working on software updates and engaged in discussions with the agency regarding the comparative risks associated with autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, they provided data concerning nine additional collisions with similar barriers that occurred between February and December of 2024.
This isn’t the first instance of recalls for Waymo; the company has previously issued at least two other recalls. In June 2024, a recall was mandated for its Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis following an incident where one of the vehicles struck a telephone pole. Earlier, in February 2024, Waymo recalled software linked to crashes involving two robotaxis colliding with a pickup truck being towed by another vehicle.
Overall, Waymo’s initiative to constantly update and recall its software reflects the ongoing challenges and responsibilities of operating autonomous vehicles in real-world environments. By promptly addressing these issues, Waymo aims to enhance the safety and reliability of its driverless services while adhering to regulatory standards.
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