Federal authorities are asking for more information about Waymo's self-driving cars after several of them were reported to drive around stopped buses, a behavior the company had already tried to fix with a software recall last year.
Waymo · Federal scrutiny
Waymo robotaxis are under federal review again over passing stopped buses
Regulators want more detail after reports that several Waymo vehicles drove around stopped buses, a behavior the company had already tried to fix with a software recall last year.
How the problem has unfolded
STEP 1 · LAST YEAR
Software recall
Waymo updated its software after vehicles were found passing stopped buses.
→
STEP 2 · SINCE
Behavior reportedly persists
Reports indicate the same pattern of driving around stopped buses continued.
→
STEP 3 · NOW
Regulators ask for more
Federal authorities want a fuller account of what is happening and why.
What the reporting establishes
Several Waymo vehicles were reported to drive around stopped buses.
A software recall was issued last year to address this behavior.
Federal regulators are now asking for a fuller explanation.
What remains unspecified
Scope of the federal inquiry
Number of incidents involved
Corrective steps Waymo may be required to take
Waymo's response to the renewed scrutiny
Why it matters
A software update alone may not be enough to fix edge-case driving behavior.
Expected behavior
A stopped bus is a common road situation where a vehicle should hold its position and wait.
Safety exposure
Passing a stopped bus can put passengers, pedestrians, and other road users at risk.
Regulatory focus
As robotaxi services expand, regulators are likely to test whether recalls actually change on-road behavior.
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