US Investigates Waymo Robotaxis for School Bus Safety Concerns
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated a probe into Waymo’s self-driving vehicles over safety concerns regarding school buses. This investigation encompasses approximately 2,000 Waymo robotaxis following reports of traffic law violations.
Details of the Investigation
The inquiry stems from an incident captured in Georgia, where a Waymo vehicle reportedly failed to stop for a school bus with its red lights flashing and the stop sign deployed. The vehicle first halted, but then navigated around the bus, passing the stop arm as students were getting off.
Waymo’s Safety Measures
In response, Waymo has asserted that changes have already been made to enhance safety protocols related to school buses. A spokesperson from the company noted their commitment to driving safely around children.
- Waymo has claimed it will release further software updates soon.
- The vehicle involved was operating on Waymo’s fifth-generation Automated Driving System without a human driver.
Waymo’s Operational Status
As of July, Waymo’s automated driving systems surpassed 100 million miles, logging approximately 2 million miles each week. This extensive operational history raises concerns about the potential for other similar incidents.
Previous Investigations
This latest investigation continues a pattern of regulatory scrutiny over Waymo’s self-driving technology. In July, NHTSA concluded a separate investigation involving minor collisions reported over a 14-month period, which centered on unexpected behaviors from Waymo vehicles.
Waymo operates a fleet exceeding 1,500 robotaxis across major cities in the United States, including Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin. The focus on school bus safety highlights the critical nature of interactions between autonomous vehicles and vulnerable road users.
