Feds Probe Waymo Robotaxis Passing School Buses in Austin
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has initiated an inquiry into Waymo’s robotaxis after reports surfaced from the Austin School District. The district claims that Waymo’s autonomous vehicles illegally passed stopped school buses 19 times during the current school year.
NHTSA’s Investigation into Waymo’s Robotaxis
In a letter dated December 3, the NHTSA requested additional information regarding Waymo’s fifth-generation self-driving technology and its operational protocols. This investigation follows another inquiry that began in October after a video showed a Waymo robotaxi navigating around a school bus while it was loading students in Atlanta.
Cited Incidents and Compliance Concerns
The Austin School District reported that at least five of the 19 incidents occurred after Waymo implemented a software update on November 17 intended to enhance safety protocols. In light of these events, officials from the district have urged Waymo to suspend its operations during peak school hours—specifically, from 5:20 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
- 19 instances of illegal passing reported by Austin School District
- 5 incidents post-software update on November 17
- Requested cease of operations during specific hours
Waymo’s Safety Claims and Response
Waymo asserts that safety is its foremost priority. The company has highlighted that its technology reportedly reduces injury-related crashes by fivefold compared to human drivers. It also claims that the number of injury crashes involving pedestrians has decreased twelvefold since deploying its robotaxis.
Despite these assertions, the Austin School District remains unconvinced, communicating concerns about the effectiveness of the software updates. Waymo’s official statement emphasized their commitment to continuous improvement and collaboration with NHTSA to enhance road safety.
Ongoing Communication with Regulators
In response to the district’s concerns, NHTSA’s Office of Defects Investigation contacted Waymo to confirm whether it had ceased operations as requested. Investigators are keen to know if the recent software updates adequately address the safety concerns raised by school officials.
The ongoing dialogue between Waymo, school officials, and federal regulators reflects the complexities of integrating autonomous vehicle technology into urban environments where pedestrian safety is paramount.
