UPDATE: In a significant move, Waymo has announced a voluntary software recall for its autonomous vehicles following alarming reports of robotaxis illegally passing parked school buses in Texas. The decision was made after 19 documented incidents raised serious safety concerns, prompting an investigation by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
Authorities confirmed that Waymo’s robotaxis were involved in multiple close calls, including violations where vehicles drove past school buses with their stop signs extended. This troubling behavior was recorded by cameras from the Austin Independent School District, leading to urgent scrutiny of Waymo’s adherence to traffic safety laws concerning school buses.
“While we are incredibly proud of our strong safety record, we recognize the need for improvement,” stated Waymo’s Chief Safety Officer Mauricio Peña. He emphasized the company’s commitment to ongoing safety enhancements, stating, “As a result, we have made the decision to file a voluntary software recall with NHTSA related to appropriately slowing and stopping in these scenarios.” This software update was implemented for all Waymo vehicles by November 17, 2023.
The NHTSA is actively investigating the performance of Waymo’s autonomous driving system (ADS) around stopped school buses. They have requested detailed responses from Waymo by January 20, 2026, as they analyze how the system is designed to comply with safety regulations.
Waymo’s commitment to safety is underscored by their assertion that their vehicles experience twelve times fewer injury crashes involving pedestrians compared to human drivers. Nevertheless, the company has pledged to continue monitoring its vehicles for further updates and necessary fixes.
This software recall comes amid growing scrutiny of autonomous vehicle safety, particularly in urban environments. Waymo will maintain its operations while ensuring that all vehicles are equipped with the latest software updates to address these issues.
In addition to the school bus incidents, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have been involved in other high-profile situations, including a recent incident where a passenger became trapped in a vehicle that drove in circles for several minutes before stopping. In another case, a driverless taxi found itself near a police standoff in downtown Los Angeles.
“Safety is our highest priority at Waymo,” the company stated, adding that they continue to learn from unusual events as they strive for continuous improvement in road safety.
As this story develops, Waymo’s actions will be closely watched by safety advocates and regulators alike. For now, the company’s proactive recall represents a critical step in addressing safety concerns surrounding its autonomous fleet.
